Stefan Karl Stefansson Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, LazyTown

Stefán Karl Stefánsson was a celebrated Icelandic actor, singer, and comedian, best known for his iconic role as Robbie Rotten in the children’s television series LazyTown.

His vibrant portrayal of the mischievous villain captivated audiences worldwide, making him a beloved figure in children’s entertainment.

Starting his career as a puppeteer, Stefán brought a unique energy to stage and screen, performing in theatre productions and films across Iceland and beyond.

Profile

• Full Name: Stefán Karl Stefánsson
• Stage Name: Stefán Karl
• Born: July 10, 1975
• Died: August 21, 2018 (Age: 43 years old)
• Birthplace: Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
• Nationality: Icelandic
• Occupation: Actor, Singer, Comedian
• Height: 1.89 m (6 feet 2 inches)
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Stefánsson
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir (m. 2002–2018)
• Children: Elin Stefánsson, Julia Stefánsson, Briet Stefánsson, Thor Stefánsson
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million USD

Early Life and Education

Stefán Karl Stefánsson, a talented actor, singer, and comedian, was born on July 10, 1975, in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Raised by Mr. and Mrs. Stefánsson in a working-class family, he grew up in a close-knit community that fostered his early interest in performance.

He was the nephew of actor and comedian Magnús Ólafsson and cousin of former footballer Hörður Magnússon.

Stefán studied at the Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavík, where he trained in acting but was dissatisfied with the conventional drama standards, believing acting was more expressive than his teachers suggested.

His ethnicity was Icelandic, and he practiced Christianity, consistent with Iceland’s cultural context.

Career

Stefán Karl Stefánsson began his career in 1994 as a puppeteer for television, later transitioning to stage and screen acting.

He joined the National Theatre of Iceland, performing in productions like Cyrano de Bergerac, Singin’ in the Rain, Noises Off, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In 1996, he was invited by Magnús Scheving to play Robbie Rotten in the LazyTown stage play, a role he reprised in the television series LazyTown (2004–2014) and LazyTown Extra (2008), broadcast in over 103 countries.

He portrayed the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (2008–2015) across cities like Baltimore and Los Angeles.

His film roles included Privacy (1995), Regína (2001), Stella Runs for Office (2002), Johannes (2009), Polite People (2011), and Harry Og Heimir (2014).

He also provided voice work for Night at the Museum (2006) and Anna and the Moods (2007).

Stefán founded Rainbow Children, a nonprofit to combat school bullying, and ran a production company in Europe.

His performance of “We Are Number One” from LazyTown became a viral internet meme.

Awards and Nominations

• Thorbjorn Egner Award for Outstanding Stage Performance (2000)
• EMIL Award for LazyTown (shared with cast and crew)
• EDDA Award for LazyTown (shared with cast and crew)
• BAFTA Award for LazyTown episode “Robbie’s Greatest Misses” (2006)
• Nominated for two BAFTA Awards for LazyTown
• Nominated for an International Emmy Award for LazyTown
• Order of the Falcon, Iceland’s highest honor (2018)
• His one-man show Thousand Island Dressing was selected for the Leipzig Film Festival (2005)

Social Media

• YouTube Channel: Stefan Karl Stefansson

Personal Life

Stefán Karl Stefánsson, a talented actor, singer, and comedian, was 43 years old at the time of his death on August 21, 2018.

He was married to Icelandic actress and novelist Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir from 2002 until his passing, and they had three daughters (Elin, Julia, Briet) and one son (Thor).

They lived in San Diego and later Los Angeles.

Diagnosed with bile duct cancer in October 2016, he underwent surgeries, achieving remission in August 2017, but the cancer returned as inoperable stage IV by June 2017.

A GoFundMe campaign raised $169,670 to support his medical costs.

Stefán had ADHD and Tourette syndrome, and was known for his humor, pranks on set, and painting as a creative outlet.

Filmography

• Áramótaskaupið (1994) – Various roles
• Privacy (1995) – Student
• Regína (2001)
• Stella Runs for Office (2002) – Singing gay sheep farmer
• LazyTown (2004–2014) – Robbie Rotten
• Night at the Museum (2006) – Voiceover
• Anna and the Moods (2007) – Voiceover
• LazyTown Extra (2008) – Robbie Rotten
• Johannes (2009)
• Polite People (2011)
• Harry Og Heimir (2014)
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (2008–2015) – Grinch

Net Worth

Stefán Karl Stefánsson, a talented actor, singer, and comedian, had an estimated net worth of $2 million USD at the time of his death in 2018.

His income came from his extensive work in LazyTown, theatre productions, film roles, and his production company in Europe.