Actor Steinn Ármann Magnússon dies at 61

Actor Steinn Ármann Magnússon has died at the age of 61, mbl.is reported. He died at his home in Hafnarfjörður on August 21.

Magnússon graduated from the Icelandic School of Drama in 1989 and went on to have a long and varied career in Icelandic arts and media.

He first attracted widespread attention in the 1990s as one half of the comedy duo Radíusbræður, which helped pioneer Icelandic stand-up comedy. He also worked in radio, first at Aðalstöðin and later at Bylgjan, where he co-hosted popular programmes including Radíus, Górillan and King Kong.

Magnússon appeared in numerous television programmes, plays and films, including Limbó, Radíus, Veggfóður, Áfram Latibær, Astrópía, Stella í framboði, Hross í oss, Vodkakúrinn and Ófærð.

Younger generations also knew him as Keli the cat in the children’s programme Stundin okkar, a role he played for many years. His voice was widely recognised through his dubbing of animated films and other children’s material.

He co-created the Christmas television series Klængur sniðugi with Davíð Þór Jónsson, and wrote and acted in Trjálfunum with Helga Braga Jónsdóttir.

Magnússon was also the bass player in the band Kátra piltar from Hafnarfjörður. Outside the arts, he worked for a time at the bicycle shop Örninn and spent summers as a guide for foreign tourists.

He is survived by his wife and two sons. Details of his funeral will be announced later.