Magnus Betnér

Magnus Lennarth Betnér (born 16 August 1974 in Stockholm) is a Swedish comedian, social critic and television host. His material largely consists of discussing society, religion and politics, including topics such as feminism and liberalism. He was born the son of Lennarth Betnér, then a pastor in the Swedish Mission Church, and moved around frequently in his youth, living in Idre, Sala and Vingåker before returning to Stockholm at age 14.

Betnér has acted in Swedish comedy shows such as Parlamentet, 100%, Veckans nyheter and Extra! Extra!, and in 2008 created his own show, I ditt ansikte (In Your Face). He has since focused on his own 90-minute stand-up shows. He is the only Swedish comedian to be awarded the "Swedish comedian of the year" award twice, in 2005 and 2010; with the 2010 award he was recognized as "the greatest in Sweden and on his way to becoming great in the United Kingdom". In 2012 he hosted Betnér Direkt on Kanal 5, inspired by Real Time with Bill Maher and The Daily Show.

Betnér uses dark comedy, often offensively, targeting Swedish celebrities, which has garnered him criticism and even death threats from Swedish neo-Nazis and rappers, though he finds it humorous that people can get so angry about jokes. He has performed increasingly in English in the US, UK and Ireland, and in August 2010 performed a full run of hour-length English shows at The Stand Comedy Club during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He has released four DVDs and appeared in the film Kung Fury (2015). An outspoken atheist, he lives with Helena Sandklef and has a daughter, Lina, born in 2005.