Image copyright LazyTown Entertainment Image caption Stefan Karl Stefansson played villain Robbie Rotten
Icelandic actor Stefan Karl Stefansson, who played LazyTown villain Robbie Rotten, has died aged 43 from cancer.
Stefansson was best known for his role on the children's show, which was produced from 2004 to 2014.
He was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016, but said it had been removed with surgery.
He often shared his treatment and progress with fans online on social media - announcing in March the disease had returned and was inoperable.
"It's not until they tell you you're going to die soon that you realize how short life is. Time is the most valuable thing in life because it never comes back. And whether you spend it in the arms of a loved one or alone in a prison cell, life is what you make of it. Dream big," he posted to Twitter.
In June his wife Steinunn Olina revealed the father-of-four's cancer was in its final stages.
A post on Tuesday paid tribute to her husband, and said the family would follow his wishes to scatter his remains at sea.
"Stefan's family wants to express their gratitude for the support and warmth received in recent years, and to express their deepest sympathy to the many friends and fans of Stefan Karl," she posted.
The actor spent his early career working in film and theatre - playing the title role in How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the US from 2008-2015.
Image copyright LazyTown Entertainment Image caption The actor wore extensive facial prosthetics in the role
LazyTown was produced from 2004-2007, with more episodes made in 2013 and 2014.
It followed the life of a pink-haired eight-year-old girl named Stephanie and her superhero companion Sportacus, who attempt to liven up an inactive town she moved to.
The character of Robbie Rotten was the show's villain and attempted to thwart their schemes, preferring to stay unhealthy.
The show, produced in Iceland, was translated into dozens of languages and aired in more than 180 countries worldwide.
Fans who grew up with the show shared their sadness at the news of Stefansson's death on social media.
The character's popularity has continued online in recent years, where his exuberant facial expressions are frequently used in memes.
The Icelandic actor was battling stage four cancer, with a spokesperson for the family telling TMZ that he died on Tuesday surrounded by friends and family. The actor starred on screen for more than 20 years, starring in his debut film Áramótaskaup in 1994. Stefan Karl recorded voiceovers for Night at the Museum in 2006 and Thor in 2011, with his last film role playing Simon in Harry Og Heimir. However, Stefan Karl was best known for playing villain Robbie Rotten on the children's television series LazyTown.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the support you provide me. You give me hope and you all move me Stefan Karl Stefansson
He played the main villain between 2004 and 2007, reprising the character between 2013 and 2014. Before LazyTown, Stefan Karl appeared in Cars Can Fly, Baking Trouble, God Exists... And Love and Angel No. 5503288 for Channel 1. Stefan Karl also starred in Titch and Ted Do Maths in 2015 before taking on the role of Viking Soldier in 2017 video game For Honor. In a public statement this evening, his wife Steiunn posted: “July 10, 1975 – August 21, 2018. “My beloved, Stefan Karl Stefansson, 43, has passed away after battling aggressive bile duct cancer for two years. “Per Stefan's wishes, there will be no funeral. His earthly remains will be scattered in secrecy in a distant ocean.
LazyTown: Robbie Rotten actor Stefan Karl Stefansson dead - best TV moments revealed
“Stefan's family wants to express their gratitude for the support and warmth received in recent years, and to express their deepest sympathy to the many friends and fans of Stefan Karl. Stefan Karl’s friend and manager Cheryl Edison said: “In celebration of Stefan Karl and his contribution to the world of humour and joy of heartfelt expression that unites us all, The Stefan Karl Academy & Center for the Performing Arts will launch in 2019 in Switzerland, hosted by HIAG Immobilien. “In fulfilment of Stefan Karl's wishes, The Academy will be dedicated to training young people in the history and skills of expression across all genres, while the Theatere will offer audiences an opportunity to become part of Stefan's legacy through enjoyment.” Stefan’s final social media post came last year in a touching tribute, following a message shared earlier this week by his wife Steiunn Olina revealed the sad news of his condition on Facebook. Under a colourful rainbow, the star had captioned: "At the end of every storm there is a rainbow of hope." Stefan also captioned the photo to thank fans for giving him hope. He said: "From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the support you provide me. You give me hope and you all move me.
LazyTown: Actor Stefan Karl Stefansson as Robbie Rotten
In a translated interview that the popular 43-year-old shared on his Facebook page, he had revealed his illness had taken a turn for the better, but also revealed fans had misinterpreted his comments to believe he was cancer free. He said: "I'm free from the disease, the cancer. The hurt has gone. Until it returns, which I hope it will be never. Life is now. It's really a miracle that I'm still here." However, the star admitted that his interview may have got lost in translation as he posted another link to the GoFundMe campaign that was set up to pay for his treatment. He updated fans, writing: "There is a little misunderstanding going on, but still there is a good reason to celebrate life. "I have been asked by hundreds of people tonight if it's true that I'm free of cancer. This is one of those questions I don't really know how to answer. "I'm free of any cancer metastases right now after undergoing a very successful liver surgery in June this year performed by one of the best liver surgery teams in the world." He added: "I'm NOT free of the danger yet, but I'm free of the metastases. I have refused any further adjuvant therapy, chemo or radiation, since there is less than three per cent chance of it making any difference, but more likely it will make me more and more sick.
LazyTown: Actor Stefan Karl Stefansson as Robbie Rotten along with his co-stars
Stars we've lost in 2018 Sun, August 5, 2018 Celebrities we've had to say goodbye to in 2018. Play slideshow BBC 1 of 89 BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Vicki Archer died aged 41 on 07 July
Stefan Karl Stefansson as LazyTown's Robbie Rotten
Stefán Karl Stefánsson, best known for playing the villainous Robbie Rotten on the Icelandic children’s show LazyTown, has tragically died after a long battle with cancer.
A spokesperson for Stefánsson’s family has informed TMZ that the actor passed on Tuesday, surrounded by friends and family. Prior to his death, Stefánsson battled bile duct cancer for two years.
Playing Robbie Rotten for ten years on LazyTown, Stefánsson garnered a significant fan following – not just from Icelandic children who watched the popular kid’s program, but from the memes that popped up around his LazyTown song “We Are Number One”. A deeply silly, over the top ska song in which Robbie teaches his dim-witted clones to be “a villain number one,” while chasing the fitness-themed superhero Sportacus, “We Are Number One” became a massive Internet meme, with parodies flooding Youtube in the ensuing months.
Heartwarmingly enough, the memes started as part of a GoFundMe campaign in 2016 to help Stefánsson and his family with medical expenses after he made his diagnosis public. The meme took off from there, however, with dozens of parodies of “We Are Number One” accruing millions of hits. Stefánsson himself paid homage by singing the song live with his fellow LazyTown actors a few months later:
Unfortunately, despite announcing a more positive prognosis in 2017, Stefánsson’s cancer was diagnosed inoperable in March of 2018, and he chose to go off chemotherapy a month later.
Stefánsson said in a March statement about his diagnosis, “It’s not until they tell you you’re going to die soon that you realize how short life is. Time is the most valuable thing in life because it never comes back. And whether you spend it in the arms of a loved one or alone in a prison-cell, life is what you make of it. Dream big.”
For his grateful fanbase, and everyone who’s laughed at a goofy Robbie Rotten meme, he’ll always be number one.
Stefánsson is survived by his wife and four children.
