Why Alexander Skarsgård Fought Against the Family Acting Legacy

Alexander Skarsgård’s journey into the world of acting wasn’t as straightforward as many might expect, especially considering his dad, Stellan Skarsgård, has been a fixture in the industry since the early ’70s. Over the decades, Stellan’s appeared in a stack of well-known films, from Deep Blue Sea and Breaking the Waves to Good Will Hunting, Andor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, and The Avengers.

During a chat on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Alexander—whose siblings Bill, Valter, and Gustaf have also taken up acting—spoke about his reluctance to join the family trade. He explained,

‘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.’

Turning Away from the Spotlight

He went on to say that he gave up acting at 13 after starring in a made-for-television film in Sweden. Back then, with only two TV channels, just about everyone tuned in to whatever was on. Suddenly, Alexander found himself recognised in public, which he found overwhelming at such an awkward age.

‘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.’

Despite his best efforts to carve out a different path, Alexander eventually found himself drawn back to the screen. The pressure of public attention as a teenager had been too much, but after years away, he realised he couldn’t escape the pull of acting for good.

Family Pride and a Bit of Banter

Later in the interview, Alexander was asked about his father’s recent run of success with Sentimental Value, which has been making waves during awards season alongside Alexander’s own project, Pillion. He joked about the family dynamic, saying,

‘We were joking the other day about orchestrating a massive smear campaign against him — no, but truly, it’s been such a joy. 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.’

There’s a clear sense of pride and camaraderie between father and son, with Alexander genuinely pleased to see Stellan enjoying the recognition and excitement that comes with a much-hyped film release.

Living in the Shadow of a Famous Name

In a previous interview with The Wrap in 2023, Alexander admitted he still thanks his dad for every job he lands, even after more than twenty years in the business and a long list of credits, including Infinity Pool, Succession, War on Everyone, Murderbot, and Big Little Lies. He confessed,

‘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.’

Despite his own achievements, Alexander’s candid about the self-doubt that comes with being part of a well-known acting family. He’s quick to take the mickey out of himself, but it’s clear he’s found his own way, even if it took a few detours to get there.