| Magnús Scheving | |
|---|---|
Magnús Scheving at FRESH 2011 |
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Magnús Örn Eyjólfsson |
| Alternative name(s) | Magnús Scheving, Maggi |
| Country represented | Iceland |
| Born | 10 November 1964 Borgarnes, Iceland |
| Residence | Seltjarnarnes, Iceland |
Magnús Örn Eyjólfsson Scheving was born 10 November 1964 to Þórveig Hjartardóttir and Eyjólfur Magnússon Scheving.[1] He is an Icelandic writer, producer, entrepreneur, and a famous athlete. He is the creator and co-star of the children's television show LazyTown.
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In 1992 he became the Icelandic Men's Individual Champion in aerobic gymnastics.[2] In 1993, he became the Scandinavian champion, and was the European champion twice in 1994 and 1995. He was voted Athlete of the Year in Iceland in 1994. He is the CEO, creator, and co-founder of LazyTown Entertainment. This company produces books, videos, games, and sporting goods to help promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle to children. He is also creator of the show LazyTown (Latibær in Iceland), where he plays Sportacus (known as Íþróttaálfurinn in Icelandic).
In 2006, Scheving received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Icelandic Edda Award ceremonies for his work as founder and creator of the LazyTown franchise. The President of Iceland presented the award to him.[3][4]
Scheving starred in the 2010 film The Spy Next Door.[5]
He is married to Ragnheiður Melsteð.[6] Scheving and Ragnheiður have two children.[7] Scheving has another daughter from a previous relationship. He has two grandchildren. Scheving's birth name was Eyjólfsson but he later chose to adopt his grandfather's last name, Scheving. He has a younger brother and an older sister. Scheving currently resides in Seltjarnarnes, Reykjavík with his wife and two children. Scheving grew up in the small town of Borgarnes in Iceland.[8] At 5 years old he had his first job as a telephone exchange messenger boy for Borgarnes. In his 20s, he made a bet with a friend, Fjölnir Þorgeirsson (an Icelandic snooker champion), to master a particular sport in three years. Scheving chose snooker for Fjölnir and Fjölnir chose aerobics for Scheving. Scheving won that bet.