Skarsgård Son Fought Against Family Acting Dynasty

Alexander Skarsgård never planned to join Hollywood's most prolific acting family. The Big Little Lies star spent years fighting against what seemed like his destiny, actively avoiding the path his father Stellan Skarsgård had carved since the early 1970s.

Stellan's filmography reads like a greatest hits collection. Deep Blue Sea, Breaking the Waves, Good Will Hunting. Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, The Avengers. The Swedish actor built an empire that now includes four sons in the business.

Childhood Rebellion Against Fame

Speaking on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast, Alexander explained his early resistance. "I didn't want to be an actor when I was a kid. I tried very hard to avoid it," he said. "I was a contrarian. I think because people assumed I'd want to follow my father into acting, I instinctively pushed against it."

His first roles happened almost by accident. A Swedish director friend of his father's needed a seven-year-old boy. Alexander happened to be seven. He worked sporadically in Sweden between ages seven and 13, never considering it a real career. "It felt like a novelty. Craft service had Cinnabons," he recalled. "That was exciting."

Everything changed after a Swedish television movie when he was 13. With only two TV channels in Sweden at the time, massive audiences watched whatever aired. Suddenly, people recognized him on the street. "At 13, already an incredibly awkward age, that was overwhelming," Alexander said. "Being in the spotlight on top of that wasn't healthy for me. I hated it."

Eight Years Away From Acting

He quit completely. For eight years, Alexander was determined to find another path. "I failed miserably," he admitted. "And here we are."

That failure led him back to acting, where he's built his own impressive resume. Succession, Big Little Lies, The Northman, Infinity Pool. Two decades of work, yet the insecurity remains.

Father-Son Awards Season

This year brings a unique situation. Both Skarsgårds are generating awards buzz simultaneously. Alexander for Pillion, Stellan for Sentimental Value. They've been hitting the same festivals, partying together.

"We were joking the other day about orchestrating a massive smear campaign against him," Alexander quipped. "But truly, it's been such a joy. 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."

Despite his success, Alexander still thanks his father "for every single job" he gets. The doubt never fully disappears. "I struggle daily with insecurities and desperately trying to find a reason why I don't deserve a job," he told The Wrap in 2023. "And then to go to it's because my dad's an actor. It's very convenient."