Magnús Scheving

Magnús Scheving
Magnús Scheving at FRESH 2011
Personal information
Full name	Magnús Örn Eyjólfsson
Alternative name(s)	Magnús Scheving, Maggi
Country represented	Iceland
Born	10 November 1964 (1964-11-10) (age 47) 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.

Career

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]

Personal life

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.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ Magnús Scheving at Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique
2. ^ Ian Sanders (2008). Leap!: Ditch Your Job, Start Your Own Business & Set Yourself Free. pp. 31. ISBN 978-1841127989. 
3. ^ "YouTube - Edda 2006 - Magnús Segment (Subtitled)". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wrcNARJnzA. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
4. ^ "Magnús Scheving, founder and creator receives the Icelandic EDDA Honour Award". LazyTown Entertainment. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
5. ^ Magnús Scheving at the Internet Movie Database
6. ^ Dyball, Richard (2007-07-14). "Yes Im the real Sportacus". The Times (London). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2055496.ece. 
7. ^ http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/july08/interview.html
8. ^ "Action man: The world of Sportacus". London: The Independent. 2007-07-03. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/action-man-the-world-of-sportacus-455708.html. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 

External links

• Magnús Scheving at the Internet Movie Database
• Magnus Scheving Lazytown Interview (2008)
• Dad in profile – Magnus Scheving – aka Sportacus from LazyTown (July 2008)
• "Mr Motivator" Times Online article on Magnús Scheving (November 4, 2006)
• Magnús Scheving Official Site

Persondata
Name	Scheving, Magnús
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1964-11-10
Place of birth	Borgarnes, Iceland
Date of death
Place of death