Why Alexander Skarsgård Resisted the Family Acting Legacy

Alexander Skarsgård’s journey into the world of performance was anything but straightforward. Despite his father Stellan’s long-standing presence in the industry, Alexander was never particularly keen to follow in those footsteps. Stellan, whose career stretches back to the early 1970s, has appeared in a string of notable films—think Deep Blue Sea, Breaking the Waves, Good Will Hunting, Andor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, and The Avengers, to name a few. Yet, for Alexander, the idea of joining the family trade was far from appealing in his youth.

During a recent appearance on a well-known podcast, Alexander—who, incidentally, is also the brother of actors Bill, Valter, and Gustaf—spoke candidly about his reluctance to embrace the profession.

"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.

He went on to explain that, after a stint in a Swedish television production at thirteen, he decided to step away. With only two channels available at the time, the exposure was immense, and the attention that followed proved overwhelming.

"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."

Family Ties and Reluctant Returns

After nearly a decade away from the screen, Alexander found himself unable to settle on an alternative path. The pull of the industry, it seems, was difficult to escape. His eventual return was less a triumphant homecoming and more a reluctant acceptance that acting was, perhaps, inevitable.

In the same interview, the conversation turned to Stellan’s recent acclaim for his role in Sentimental Value, a film currently making waves during awards season. Alexander described the experience of sharing this moment with his father, both of them attending festivals and enjoying the atmosphere together.

"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."

Living in the Shadow of Success

Despite his own impressive list of credits—Infinity Pool, Succession, War on Everyone, Murderbot, and Big Little Lies among them—Alexander admits that doubts still linger. The shadow cast by his father’s reputation is not easily shaken off. In a previous conversation, he confessed to a persistent sense of insecurity, often questioning whether he truly deserves his roles or if his surname is doing the heavy lifting.

"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."

For Alexander, the path to embracing his place in the industry has been anything but direct. The pressures of public recognition at a young age, the weight of expectation, and the ever-present comparison to a celebrated parent have all shaped his relationship with his craft. Yet, through it all, he continues to carve out his own space, even if the journey has been rather more circuitous than most might expect.