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Stellan Skarsgård
Skarsgård in 2017
Born
Stellan John Skarsgård[1]

(1951-06-13) 13 June 1951 (age 73)[1]
Gothenburg, Sweden
OccupationActor
Years active1968–present
Spouses
  • My Skarsgård
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1975; div. 2007)​
  • Megan Everett
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2009)​
Children8, including Alexander, Gustaf, Bill and Valter

Stellan John Skarsgård (/ˈstɛlən ˈskɑːrsɡɑːrd/, Swedish: [ˈstɛ̂lːan ˈskɑ̌ːʂɡoːɖ] ⓘ; born 13 June 1951) is a Swedish actor. He is known for his collaborations with director Lars von Trier, appearing in Breaking the Waves (1996), Dancer in the Dark (2000), Dogville (2003), Melancholia (2011), and Nymphomaniac (2013). Skarsgård's English-speaking film roles include The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Good Will Hunting (1997), Ronin (1998), and King Arthur (2004).

Skarsgård has since starred in various blockbusters such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007). He also starred in Mamma Mia! (2008), Angels and Demons (2009), David Fincher's thriller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011). He played Dr. Erik Selvig in five Marvel Cinematic Universe films, starting with Thor (2011), and portrayed Baron Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve's two-part Dune adaptation, Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024).

He is also known for his work in television portraying Boris Shcherbina in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (2019) for which he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. He stars in the Star Wars prequel series Andor (2022) on Disney+.

Early life

Skarsgård was born in Gothenburg, the son of Gudrun (née Larsson; born 1930) and Jan Skarsgård (1920–1998).[2] He moved often in his childhood and lived, amongst other places, in Helsingborg, Totebo, Kalmar, Marielund, and Uppsala.[3]

Acting career

Skarsgård in 2009

Skarsgård started his acting career early; and, by the age of 21, his experience in film, TV and stage was considerable.[4] Most of his early roles were in Swedish television (such as Bombi Bitt) and films. Of Skarsgård's work in Swedish film, he is known for Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg, where he portrays Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who worked to save Holocaust victims.[5]

Skarsgård is particularly associated with director Lars von Trier and has appeared in six of the Danish auteur's features: The Kingdom, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, Melancholia, and Nymphomaniac. His most personal working relationship, however, is with Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland, who has directed the actor in Zero Kelvin, Aberdeen, In Order of Disappearance, and A Somewhat Gentle Man. Skarsgård considers Moland a close friend and, in 2009, he said of their relationship: "We're like an old married couple and I get separation anxiety."[6] Another Scandinavian work that he is known for is the 1997 Norwegian film Insomnia, in which he plays the guilt-ridden policeman Jonas Engström.[7]

Skarsgård's first American film was the 1985 film Noon Wine, directed by Michael Fields, in which Skarsgård played a mentally disturbed immigrant farmhand being chased by a bounty hunter. He acted opposite Fred Ward, who portrayed the farmer.[5] In 1990, he starred in another American film, The Hunt for Red October, playing the character of Captain Tupolev, a Soviet submarine commander.

Primarily a character actor,[8] he played one of Demi Moore's two love interests in Passion of Mind (2000), directed by Alain Berliner. Skarsgård appeared as a guest star on Entourage as Verner Vollstedt, the German director of the fictional film Smokejumpers, who is hostile to the main character Vincent Chase.[9] Skarsgård appeared as Bootstrap Bill Turner in both Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. In 2008, he starred as Bill Anderson in Universal Pictures' Mamma Mia! and reprised the role 10 years later in its sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Skarsgård played Dr. Erik Selvig in the 2011 film Thor, and later reprised the role in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022),[10] as well as The Avengers (2012) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Skarsgård reteamed with Thor director Kenneth Branagh for the 2015 live-action adaptation of Disney's Cinderella, in which he played The Grand Duke.[11] In 2021, he played Vladimir Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve's Dune.[12]

Skarsgård has appeared in music videos alongside fellow Swedes. He was in Eva Dahlgren's "Vem tänder stjärnorna" (Who Lights the Stars) in 1991[13] and Lykke Li's 2011 music video, "Sadness Is a Blessing".[14]

Personal life

In April 1975, Skarsgård married Swedish doctor My (born 1956).[15] Before divorcing in May 2007, they had six children together: Alexander (born 1976), Gustaf (born 1980), Sam (born 1982), Bill (born 1990), Eija (born 1992), and Valter (born 1995). Alexander, Gustaf, Bill, and Valter are also actors, while Eija was a model for a few years.[16] Skarsgård married Irish screenwriter and producer Megan Everett in January 2009.[17] They have two sons together.[18][19] In 2016, Skarsgård revealed that he had a vasectomy because he felt that eight children was enough.[20][21][22]

Religious beliefs

Skarsgård was brought up by humanist, atheist[23] parents, and had an atheist grandfather and a deeply religious grandmother. According to Skarsgård, this never led to any problems because of the family's mutual respect for each other's opinions.[24] After the September 11 attacks, Skarsgård set out to read the Bible and the Quran, both of which he condemns as violent.[24] Skarsgård is also a critic of religious independent schools in the Swedish educational system.[24] He has said he considers the notion of God absurd and that if a real God were actually so vain as to constantly demand worship, then he would not be worthy of it.[24]

In 2009, Skarsgård, along with other non-religious artists, authors, and entrepreneurs including Christer Sturmark, Björn Ulvaeus, and Christer Fuglesang, wrote an article in Dagens Nyheter stressing the importance of secularity.[25] The group also criticised the UN for its stance on blasphemy laws.[25]

Political views

Skarsgård has voiced support for Swedish tax policies, and for a high income tax rate for high earners.[1]

Skarsgård is avowedly anti-nationalist.[1]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1972 Strandhugg i somras Erik
Firmafesten Peter
1973 Åttonde budet Short
Fem døgn i August Christer
Bröllopet Roffe Eriksson
Anita: Swedish Nymphet Erik
1974 Swedish Sex Games Aka The Intruders and Let Us Play Sex
1977 Taboo Jan-Erik
Hemåt i natten Kurt Sjöberg
1981 Kyssen Short
1982 The Simple-Minded Murderer Sven
1983 P & B Karl-Johan 'Charlie' Pettersson
1984 Åke och hans värld Ebenholtz
1985 False as Water Stig
Noon Wine Olaf Helton
Peter-No-Tail in Americat Pelle Swanson (voice)
1986 Ormens väg på hälleberget Karl Orsa Markström
1987 Jim & Piraterna Blom Gustav, Jim's Father Also writer
Hip hip hurra! Peder Severin Krøyer
1988 The Unbearable Lightness of Being The Engineer
Vargens tid Peder Ulfstand
Friends Matt
The Perfect Murder Axel Svensson
1989 S/Y Glädjen Klas Larsson
Täcknamn Coq Rouge Carl Hamilton
Kvinnorna på taket Willy
1990 The Hunt for Red October Captain Viktor Tupolev
Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg Raoul Wallenberg
1991 The Ox Helge Roos
1992 The Democratic Terrorist Carl Hamilton
Wind Joe Heiser
1993 The Slingshot Fritiof Schütt
Sista dansen Host in Norrköping
1995 Jönssonligans största kupp Herman Melvin
Zero Kelvin Randbæk
The Dogs of Riga Magnus Björk
1996 Harry och Sonja Harry Olsson
Breaking the Waves Jan Nyman
1997 Insomnia Jonas Engström
My Son the Fanatic Schitz
Good Will Hunting Prof. Gerald Lambeau
Amistad Tappan
1998 Glasblåsarns barn Albert
Savior Peter Dominic
Ronin Gregor
1999 Deep Blue Sea Jim Whitlock
2000 Harlan County War Warren Jakopovich
Passion of Mind William Granther
Signs and Wonders Alec
Timecode Alex Green
Dancer in the Dark Doctor
Aberdeen Tomas Also associate producer
2001 Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) Felix
Powder Keg Harvey Jacobs Segment from the BMW short film series The Hire
Taking Sides Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängler
The Glass House Terrence 'Terry' Glass
2002 No Good Deed Tyrone
City of Ghosts Joseph Kaspar
2003 To Kill a Child Narrator Short
Dogville Chuck
2004 Eiffeltornet Jakob Short
King Arthur Cerdic
Exorcist: The Beginning Father Lankester Merrin
2005 Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist Father Lankester Merrin
Torte Bluma Stangl Short
Beowulf & Grendel Hrothgar
Guilty Hearts Stangl Segment: "Torte Bluma"
2006 Kill Your Darlings Erik's Father
Goya's Ghosts Francisco Goya
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Bootstrap Bill Turner
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Bootstrap Bill Turner
The Killing Gene Eddie Argo
Arn – The Knight Templar Birger Brosa
2008 Arn – The Kingdom at Road's End Birger Brosa
Mamma Mia! Bill Anderson
God on Trial Baumgarten
2009 Angels & Demons Commander Maximilian Richter
Boogie Woogie Bob Maccelstone
Metropia Ralph Parker Voice
2010 A Somewhat Gentle Man Ulrik
Frankie and Alice Dr. Oz
Moomins and the Comet Chase Moominpapa / Hemulens Voices
Submission Narrator English version; documentary
As If I Am Not There Doctor
King of Devil's Island Bestyreren Also executive producer
2011 Melancholia Jack
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Martin Vanger
Thor Erik Selvig
2012 The Avengers Erik Selvig
2013 Thor: The Dark World Erik Selvig
Romeo and Juliet Prince of Verona
The Railway Man Finlay
Nymphomaniac Seligman
The Physician Barber
2014 In Order of Disappearance Nils Also executive producer and stunt driver
Hector and the Search for Happiness Edward
2015 Cinderella The Grand Duke
Avengers: Age of Ultron Erik Selvig
2016 Our Kind of Traitor Dima
2017 Return to Montauk Max Frisch
Borg McEnroe Lennart Bergelin
Moomins and the Winter Wonderland Moominpappa English dub
Gordon & Paddy Gordon Voice
2018 The Man Who Killed Don Quixote The Boss
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Bill Anderson / Kurt
2019 Out Stealing Horses Trond
The Painted Bird Hans
I'll Find You Benno Moser
Hope Tomas
2021 Apstjärnan Tord
Dune Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
2022 Thor: Love and Thunder Erik Selvig Cameo
2024 Dune: Part Two Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Bombi Bitt och jag Bombi Bitt 5 episodes
1972 Magnetisören Soldier Television film
1981 Skärp dig, älskling Georg Episode: "Tack för igår"
Babels hus Dr. Mattsson Episode: "Del 4"
Olsson per sekund eller Det finns ingen anledning till oro The tardy one Television film
1983 Farmor och vår herre Nathan 2 episodes
Hustruskolan Horace Television film
1985 Den tragiska historien om Hamlet – Prins av Danmark Hamlet Television film
August Strindberg: Ett liv Verner von Heidenstam 2 episodes
1989 The Wild Duck Gregers Werle 3 episodes
Förhöret Carl Hamilton Television film
1990 S*M*A*S*H Statssekreteraren Episode: "Wow, håll käften!"
Parker Kane Nathan Van Adams Television film
1994 Rapport till himlen Gary 4 episodes
1997 The Kingdom II Stig Helmer's advokat Episode: "Gargantua"
2000 Harlan County War Warren Jakopovich Television film
2001 D-dag – Den færdige film Lise's Mand Television film
2003 Helen of Troy Theseus Television film
2008 Masterpiece Contemporary Baumgarten Episode: "God on Trial"
Entourage Verner Vollstedt 3 episodes
2010 Arn Birger Brosa 6 episodes
2012 Rouge Brésil Villegagnon 4 episodes
Playhouse Presents The Man Episode: "The Man"
2014 Quarry The Broker Unaired pilot
2015 River John River 6 episodes
2019 Chernobyl Boris Shcherbina 5 episodes
2020 The Simpsons Himself Voice; episode: "Podcast News"
2022–present Andor Luthen Rael Main role

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Film Result Ref(s)
Astra TV Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama Andor Nominated [26]
Berlin International Film Festival 1982 Best Actor The Simple-Minded Murderer Won [27]
Bodil Awards 2014 Bodil Award for Best Actor Nymphomaniac Nominated
British Academy Television Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actor Chernobyl Nominated [28]
Denmark's National Association of Film Critics 2004 Best Supporting Actor Dogville Nominated [29]
Critics' Choice Television Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie Chernobyl Won [30]
European Film Academy 1998 European Film Award for Achievement in World Cinema Amistad
Good Will Hunting 		Won [31]
2000 Best Actor Aberdeen Nominated [32]
2001 Taking Sides Nominated [33]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2006 Best Actor Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist Nominated [34]
Golden Globe Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actor – Series, Limited Series or Television Film Chernobyl Won [35]
Guldbagge Awards 1981/1982 Best Actor The Simple-Minded Murderer Won [36]
1989 Täcknamn Coq Rouge
The Women on the Roof 		Won [36]
2017 Best Supporting Actor Borg McEnroe Won [37]
[38]
[36]
International Press Academy 2008 Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film God on Trial Nominated [39]
Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 Career Achievement Award – Won [40]
Mar del Plata Film Festival 2002 Best Actor Taking Sides Won [41]
Norwegian International Film Festival 2010 Best Actor A Somewhat Gentle Man Won [42]
Peabody Awards 2022 Entertainment Andor Won [43]
People's Choice Awards 2009 Favorite Cast Mamma Mia! Nominated [44]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2019 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Chernobyl Nominated [45]
Robert Award 2004 Best Supporting Actor Dogville Nominated [46]
Satellite Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film Chernobyl Nominated [47]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 1998 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Good Will Hunting Nominated [48]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Stellan Skarsgård: "Yes Lars, I'll be there"". The Talks. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ Thyselius, Erik; Lindblad, Göran (1999). Vem är det?: Svensk biografisk handbok: Volume 44. Norstedt. p. 1004.
  3. ^ "Hollywood's Lonely Hero". Stellanonline.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  4. ^ "Stellan Skarsgard (Bootstrap Bill) Biography". Starsontop.com. 13 January 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  5. ^ a b Gross, Larry (1998). "Stellan Skarsgård". BOMB Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  6. ^ Stiller opp for Moland Archived 26 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine www.dagsavisen.no
  7. ^ Brad Brevet (10 December 2012). "RopeofSilicon Movie Club: 'Insomnia' (1997)". Rope of Silicon. RopeofSilicon.com LLC. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  8. ^ Stern, Marlow (April 14, 2021). "Stellan Skarsgard Is Finally Seizing the Spotlight". The Daily Beast.
  9. ^ Mike Ryan (21 December 2011). "Stellan Skarsgard on 'Dragon Tattoo', Not Being Satisfied with 'The Avengers' and His 'Good Will Hunting' Scarf". Moviefone. Aol Inc. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  10. ^ Rappe, Elisabeth (5 October 2009). "Stellan Skarsgard Joins 'Thor'". Cinematical. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  11. ^ Stellan Skarsgard in Talks to Join 'Cinderella' (Exclusive) Archived 25 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Hollywood Reporter, Retrieved 12 July 2013
  12. ^ Kit, Borys (9 January 2019). "Stellan Skarsgard to Play Villain in Legendary's Dune". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  13. ^ Dahlgren, Eva (2009). "Vem Tänder stjärnorna". www.youtube.com. VEVO. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  14. ^ Lykke Li (26 April 2011). "Lykke Li – 'Sadness Is a Blessing' (Director Tarik Saleh)" (Video upload). YouTube. Google Inc. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  15. ^ Behdjou, Behrang (8 November 2014). "My Skarsgård: "Till slut handlade det om att välja livet eller döden"". Dagens Nyheter. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  16. ^ Enfield, Interview by Lizzie (27 November 2015). "Stellan Skarsgård: my family values". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Stellan Skarsgård: Nymphomaniac's off-centred everyman". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  18. ^ Gilbey, Ryan (5 April 2012). "Stellan Skarsgård: 'I'm a castrated bull'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  19. ^ Abramovitch, Seth (24 August 2012). "Stellan Skarsgard, 61, Welcomes Baby Number 8". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  20. ^ "Stellan Skarsgård har steriliserat sig: "Det räcker med åtta barn"". hant.se. 6 January 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Stellan Skarsgård: För att bli bra måste du vara ömtålig – DN.SE". Dagens Nyheter. 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  22. ^ "Skarsgård: 'Jag har steriliserat mig'". aftonbladet.se. 3 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  23. ^ Skarsgård, Stellan (27 November 2015). "Stellan Skarsgård: my family values". The Guardian. Interviewed by Lizzie Enfield. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  24. ^ a b c d Skarsgård, Stellan (14 December 2008). "Stellan Skarsgård: Bibeln och Koranen får inte styra skolan" [Stellan Skarsgård: The Bible and the Quran can not control the school]. Expressen (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  25. ^ a b "Därför är det viktigt med ett sekulärt samhälle" [Therefore, it is important to have a secular society]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  26. ^ Neglia, Matt (9 January 2024). "The 2023 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) TV Astra Award Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Berlinale: 1982 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
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  29. ^ "2004 Bodil Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  30. ^ "Critics' Choice Awards 2020: Fleabag, Watchmen, When They See Us, Unbelievable Among TV Nominees". TVLine. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  31. ^ "1998 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  32. ^ "2000 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  33. ^ "2001 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  34. ^ "2006 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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  36. ^ a b c "The Swedish Film Database". sfi.se. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  37. ^ Haimi, Rebecca (4 January 2018). "Flest nomineringar till Borg – Östlund: "Det känns okej"". SVT (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  38. ^ Pettersson, Leo (22 January 2018). "Glädjetårar efter Sameblods succé". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  39. ^ "2008 Satellite Awards". pressacademy.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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  41. ^ "2002 Mar del Plata Film Festival". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  42. ^ "2010 Amanda Awards". filmweb.no/filmfestivalen/. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  43. ^ Voyles, Blake (13 September 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  44. ^ "2009 People's Choice Awards". peopleschoice.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  45. ^ Aridi, Sara (16 July 2019). "Here's a Full List of the 2019 Emmy Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  46. ^ "2004 Robert Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  47. ^ "24th Satellite Awards Announce Nominations, 'Ford v Ferrari' Leads the Way". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  48. ^ "4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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