Alexander Skarsgård “Instinctively Pushed Against” Becoming An Actor Because of His Famous Dad
Alexander Skarsgård‘s route into an acting career was surprisingly complicated, with the star of The Northman initially put off by the involvement of his father, the great Stellan Skarsgård, in the industry since the early 1970s. Over that span, the elder Skarsgård has built a resume that includes memorable appearances in a long list of films, including Deep Blue Sea, Breaking the Waves, Good Will Hunting, Andor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, and The Avengers.
Stopping by Variety‘s Awards Circuit podcast, Alexander — who is also the parent of fellow actors Bill, Valter, and Gustaf Skarsgård — was asked about his decision to join the family business.
“I didn’t want to be an actor when I was a kid. I tried very hard to avoid it — and in some ways, I still do. I was a contrarian. I think because people assumed I’d want to follow my father into acting, I instinctively pushed against it. I did a few things as a child actor almost by accident. A friend of my dad’s — a Swedish director — needed a seven-year-old boy, and I happened to be seven. I worked a bit in Sweden between the ages of seven and 13, but never with the intention of it becoming a career. It felt like a novelty. Craft service had Cinnabons — that was exciting.
“I quit when I was 13 after doing a made-for-television movie in Sweden. At the time there were only two TV channels, so a huge portion of the population watched whatever was on. I started being recognized in public, and at 13 — already an incredibly awkward age — that was overwhelming. Being in the spotlight on top of that wasn’t healthy for me. I hated it. So I stopped acting for eight years and was determined to do something else. I failed miserably. And here we are.”
Alexander Skarsgård Says It’s “Such a Joy Hanging Out” with His Father
Stellan Skarsgard and Renate Reinsve in Sentimental ValueNeon
Further along the interview, Skarsgård was asked about his father’s most recent moment in the sun thanks to Sentimental Value, which is concurrently building awards season buzz along with his own project, Pillion.
“We were joking the other day about orchestrating a massive smear campaign against him — no, but truly, it’s been such a joy,” he quipped. “We’ve been going to the same festivals, hanging out, partying together. I get to see him in this moment where he’s just glowing.
“He’s so proud of the film and so happy […] Being around him as he travels, receives praise, and truly enjoys it has been incredibly moving. It’s been really, really beautiful.”
Earlier, during a chat with The Wrap in 2023, Skarsgård admitted that he still thanks his father for “every single job” he gets, even though he’s been working for more than two decades, racking up credits in a list of productions that includes Infinity Pool, Succession, the underrated War on Everyone, Murderbot, and Big Little Lies.
“I would say I struggle daily with insecurities and desperately trying to find a reason why I don’t deserve a job. And then to go to it’s because my dad’s an actor. It’s very convenient.”
Release Date
August 29, 2025
Runtime
101 Minutes
Director
Harry Lighton
Writers
Harry Lighton
Producers
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton
