Stellan Skarsgård
Swedish actor (born 1951)
My Skarsgård
(m. 1975; div. 2007)Megan Everett
(m. 2009)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 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 perhaps best 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
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thyselius, Erik; Lindblad, Göran (1999). Vem är det?: Svensk biografisk handbok: Volume 44. Norstedt. p. 1004.
- ^ "Hollywood's Lonely Hero". Stellanonline.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- ^ "Stellan Skarsgard (Bootstrap Bill) Biography". Starsontop.com. 13 January 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- ^ a b Gross, Larry (1998). "Stellan Skarsgård". BOMB Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
- ^ Stiller opp for Moland Archived 26 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine www.dagsavisen.no
- ^ 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.
- ^ Stern, Marlow (April 14, 2021). "Stellan Skarsgard Is Finally Seizing the Spotlight". The Daily Beast.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rappe, Elisabeth (5 October 2009). "Stellan Skarsgard Joins 'Thor'". Cinematical. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ Stellan Skarsgard in Talks to Join 'Cinderella' (Exclusive) Archived 25 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Hollywood Reporter, Retrieved 12 July 2013
- ^ Kit, Borys (9 January 2019). "Stellan Skarsgard to Play Villain in Legendary's Dune". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Dahlgren, Eva (2009). "Vem Tänder stjärnorna". www.youtube.com. VEVO. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Stellan Skarsgård: Nymphomaniac's off-centred everyman". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Skarsgård: 'Jag har steriliserat mig'". aftonbladet.se. 3 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (9 January 2024). "The 2023 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) TV Astra Award Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Berlinale: 1982 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "BAFTA TV 2020: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy TV Craft Awards". BAFTA. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ "2004 Bodil Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "Critics' Choice Awards 2020: Fleabag, Watchmen, When They See Us, Unbelievable Among TV Nominees". TVLine. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "1998 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "2000 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "2001 European Film Awards". europeanfilmacademy.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "2006 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "Golden Globes: Full List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- ^ a b c "The Swedish Film Database". sfi.se. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Pettersson, Leo (22 January 2018). "Glädjetårar efter Sameblods succé". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "2008 Satellite Awards". pressacademy.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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- ^ "2010 Amanda Awards". filmweb.no/filmfestivalen/. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ Voyles, Blake (13 September 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "2009 People's Choice Awards". peopleschoice.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ Aridi, Sara (16 July 2019). "Here's a Full List of the 2019 Emmy Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "2004 Robert Awards". imdb.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "24th Satellite Awards Announce Nominations, 'Ford v Ferrari' Leads the Way". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stellan Skarsgård.
- Stellan Skarsgård at IMDb
- Stellan Skarsgård at the Swedish Film Database
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