Norwegian YouTuber Apetor Dies After Falling Through Ice While Filming

Tor Rathje Eckhoff, known online as Apetor, a Norwegian YouTuber famous for his videos of drinking vodka while performing stunts on frozen water, died in November 2021 at the age of 57. He fell through the ice of a lake west of Kongsberg, Norway, while recording a video.

Who Was Apetor?

Born on November 22, 1964, in Kristiansund, Norway, Apetor began his YouTube career in 2006, gaining significant popularity around 2011. His channel featured videos of him drinking vodka while ice skating, swimming in ice holes, and diving – often in near-naked conditions during below-freezing temperatures. His videos garnered 459 million views and 1.4 million subscribers before his death. Apetor’s content was particularly popular in Poland.

Controversial Content and Artistic Interpretation

Apetor’s videos were often controversial due to the perceived danger of his activities. Still, some viewers characterized his work as artistic, appreciating its unique presentation and content. Despite his online success, he did not rely on his videos for income, creating them primarily for personal enjoyment.

Background and Education

Prior to his YouTube career, Eckhoff worked at a paint factory in Sandefjord Municipality, owned by the chemicals company Jotun. He studied history, philosophy, and Nordic literature at the University of Bergen, graduating with a cand.mag. Degree in 1993. He was the son of professor Johan Arent Rathje Eckhoff and secretary Kari Elisabeth Anderssen, and had two brothers, Jan and Ulf. He moved to Sandefjord at the age of six.

Death and Legacy

Apetor died on November 27, 2021, after falling through the ice while filming a video. His death marked the conclude of a unique online presence that captivated audiences with its daring and unconventional content.