Alexander Skarsgård

Swedish ActorTemplate:SHORTDESC:Swedish Actor[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

Template:Use dmy dates

 Family | * Gustaf Skarsgård
* Bill Skarsgård
* Valter Skarsgård

**Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård** (Template:IPA-sv; born 25 August 1976) is a Swedish actor. He is best known for his roles as Brad "Iceman" Colbert in the miniseries *Generation Kill* (2008), Eric Northman in the television series *True Blood* (2008–2014), and Perry Wright in the television series *Big Little Lies* (2017–2019). The lattermost earned him several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also appeared in films such as *Melancholia* (2011) and *The Legend of Tarzan* (2016).

## Early life

Alexander Skarsgård was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the eldest son of actor Stellan Skarsgård and his first wife, My Skarsgård, a physician. He has five younger siblings: Gustaf, Sam, Bill, Eija and Valter, and two half-brothers from his father's second wife, Megan Everett. Gustaf, Bill, and Valter are also actors.

A friend of his father, who was a director, gave Skarsgård his first film role when he was seven years old. He played Kalle Nubb in *Åke och hans värld* (*Åke and His World*). In 1989, the lead role in the Swedish television production *Hunden som log* (*The Dog That Smiled*) made him famous in Sweden at the age of 13. Uncomfortable with being recognized, he quit acting for the next seven years.

Skarsgård applied to do his national service at age 19. He served in the Swedish military for 18 months, in the *SäkJakt* ("protect and hunt") unit that dealt with anti-sabotage and anti-terrorism in the Stockholm archipelago. After completing his service in 1996 he left Sweden and attended Leeds Beckett University in England for six months. He enrolled to study English but admits he did not study much and "had a blast" instead.

After seven years away from acting, he started to consider it again. In 1997, he enrolled in a theater course at Marymount Manhattan College and moved to New York City. He returned to Stockholm after six months, but the time he spent studying theater showed him that he wanted to act.

## Career

Upon his return to Sweden, Skarsgård began picking up acting jobs, working in film, television and theatrical productions. While on vacation in the United States, he auditioned for and landed the role of Meekus in the 2001 film *Zoolander*.
In 2003, his work in *Hundtricket-the Movie* (*The Dog Trick*) earned him an *Guldbagge Award* nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He was named the Sexiest Man in Sweden five times.

He moved to Los Angeles in 2004 but continued to work in Sweden. His break came when he was cast as Sergeant Brad "Iceman" Colbert in the HBO miniseries *Generation Kill*. An adaptation of journalist Evan Wright's book of the same name, *Generation Kill* follows the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the early part of the Iraq War. The role of Brad Colbert was the closest to a "lead" in *Generation Kill*, and director Susanna White and executive producer David Simon at first disagreed about casting Skarsgård. White wanted to cast him but Simon was not convinced he could pull off the American accent. After four auditions in three cities, Skarsgård learned the role was his just 36 hours before he had to board a plane for Namibia where the project was filming. The cast and crew filmed for seven months in the desert, shooting six days a week. Skarsgård worked with a dialect coach to master the American accent.

 File:Alexander Skarsgard 1 by David Shankbone.jpg
Just before leaving to shoot *Generation Kill*, Skarsgård heard about *True Blood*, a new series HBO was developing based on the *Southern Vampire Mysteries* series of novels by Charlaine Harris. At first he was unsure about playing a vampire, but when he learned that Alan Ball, creator of the HBO series *Six Feet Under* and Academy Award winning screenwriter of *American Beauty*, was behind the project, he sent in an audition tape. The audition was for the role of Bill Compton, which eventually went to Stephen Moyer. Skarsgård was later cast as Eric Northman, a 1000-year-old, Viking vampire sheriff, local bar owner and potential love interest of heroine Sookie Stackhouse in October 2007. *True Blood* launched its seventh and final season in June 2014.

In 2009, Skarsgård appeared in the music video for pop singer Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi". He was the voice of Stefan in the 2009 animated film *Metropia*, directed by Tarik Saleh. In 2010, Skarsgård portrayed Terje, a gay Norwegian trekking to the North Pole, in the British mockumentary *Beyond the Pole*.

Suit maker Hickey Freeman chose Skarsgård to model a new look it debuted in 2010. Annie Leibovitz photographed the ad campaign which appeared in *The Wall Street Journal Magazine*, *GQ* and *Details*. He covered the September 2010 issue of *Rolling Stone* with his *True Blood* co-stars, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer.

Skarsgård appeared in two 2011 films. *Melancholia*, an apocalyptic movie directed by Lars von Trier and starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kiefer Sutherland, premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. Skarsgård appeared in *Straw Dogs*, a remake of the 1971 film of the same name, as Charlie Venner. The remake's director, Rod Lurie, transferred the small town setting from Cornwall to Mississippi, and described Venner as "an ex-football star gone to seed". The film co-starred James Marsden and Kate Bosworth and was released 16 September 2011.

In 2012, Skarsgård appeared alongside Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna in Peter Berg's *Battleship*, an adaptation of the Hasbro game. He also starred with Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan in Scott McGehee and David Siegel's film, *What Maisie Knew*, an adaptation of the Henry James novel of the same name. He was also part of the ensemble cast in Henry Alex Rubin's thriller, *Disconnect*, playing opposite Paula Patton.

Skarsgård starred alongside Brit Marling and Elliot Page in Zal Batmanglij's 2013 film, *The East*. Skarsgård starred in the 2016 film *The Legend of Tarzan*, portraying the title character, opposite Margot Robbie as Jane. Skarsgård worked out for 7 months to prepare for the role. In 2017 he co-starred in HBO's *Big Little Lies*. For his role as an abusive husband, Skarsgård won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

In 2019, he played opposite Keira Knightley in *The Aftermath*, a film set in 1946 post-war Hamburg, where he portrays a sensitive German architect, forced to take in a British military couple in his stately home. On 11 September of that year it was announced that Skarsgård was cast as Randall Flagg in the upcoming miniseries of Stephen King's *The Stand*.

## Personal life

Skarsgård is a fan of Swedish football and supports Hammarby Fotboll, a club based in Stockholm, his birth city. In October 2010, he participated in "Bajen Aid" by donating several items he had autographed and auctioned to raise money for the Hammarby football club.

In July 2011, Skarsgård received an honorary degree from Leeds Beckett University, where he was formerly a student.

Skarsgård was the Ambassador for the American team for a Walking With The Wounded fundraising event for wounded soldiers. He trekked to the South Pole against Team UK (Prince Harry, Ambassador) and Team Canada/Australia (actor Dominic West, Ambassador). A few days into the trek, it was decided that the competition part of the race would be cancelled due to hazardous terrain and weather conditions, so the teams combined forces and continued the journey together. All three teams successfully made it to the South Pole on 13 December 2013.

Skarsgård identifies as a feminist.

## References

1. ↑ "The Correct Way To Pronounce "Alexander Skarsgård"". 21 June 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iQqctWDWIE.
2. ↑ Behdjou, Behrang (8 November 2014). "My Skarsgård: "Till slut handlade det om att välja livet eller döden"". Dagens Nyheter. https://www.dn.se/livsstil/my-skarsgard-till-slut-handlade-det-om-att-valja-livet-eller-doden/.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Harvey, Chris."Alexander Skarsgard interview: True Blood lust", *The Telegraph*, 12 August 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
4. ↑ Sundholm, Magnus *Jag hinner inte ens käka*, *Nöjes Bladet*, 26 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Raymond, Joan. "Alexander Skarsgard Is a Neck Man", *Newsweek*, 11 September 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hillis, Aaron. "Alexander Skarsgard Gets Animated", *IFC*, 12 May 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
7. ↑ "Alexander Skarsgård (*True Blood*) Interview" Template:Webarchive. *Last Broadcast*. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Martin, Brett. "Here Comes the Viking", *GQ*, June 2011.
9. ↑ "Alexander Skarsgård", *Bizarre*. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
10. ↑ Mohney, Chris. "The New Carnivore: Alexander Skarsgård" Template:Webarchive, *BlackBook*, 18 December 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
11. ↑ Wilson, Benji. "Alexander Skarsgård on starring in both *Generation Kill* and *True Blood*: interview", *The Telegraph*, 2 October 2009.
12. ↑ Robinson, John. "Calling the Shots on Generation Kill" *The Guardian*, 2 October 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Daum, Meghan. "The Men of True Blood", *Details*, May 2010.
14. ↑ Elley, Derek. "Film Reviews: *Beyond the Pole*", *Variety*, 10 January 2010.
15. ↑ Smith, Ray A. "Do Men Want Boxy or Bold?", *The Wall Street Journal*, 15 July 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
16. ↑ Millar, Jamie."Alexander Skarsgård exclusive!" Template:Webarchive, *GQ.com*, 29 September 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
17. ↑ Everett, Cristina. "True Blood stars Alexander Skarsgård, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer get bloody nude for Rolling Stone", *NY Daily News*, 17 August 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
18. ↑ "'Blood' star Alexander Skarsgard shows true range in films", USA Today.
19. ↑ Eriksen, Lars. "Melancholia? With Lars Von Trier at the helm, don't doubt it", *guardian.co.uk*, 29 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
20. ↑ Chang, Justin. Debruge, Peter. "*Tree of Life* wins Palme d'Or", *Variety*, 22 May 2011.
21. ↑ Benigno, Anthony. "Rihanna to make movie debut in 'Battleship' opposite Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch", *Daily News*, 27 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
22. ↑ Kemp, Stuart. "'True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard Sinks Teeth Into 'What Maisie Knew'", *The Hollywood Reporter*, 11 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
23. ↑ "Disconnect", *The Hollywood Reporter*, Retrieved 8 September 2013.
24. ↑ Kilday, Gregg. "Brit Marling's 'The East' to Close SXSW Film Festival", *The Hollywood Reporter*, 13 February 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
25. ↑ "'Tarzan' to Swing Into Theaters July 1, 2016". Variety. 11 February 2014. https://variety.com/2014/film/news/tarzan-to-swing-into-theaters-july-1%5D%5D-2016-1201098103/.
26. ↑ "Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations". 13 July 2017. https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/2017-emmy-nominees-list-nominations-1202494465/.
27. ↑ "Exclusive: Alexander Skarsgard to Play Randall Flagg in 'The Stand' on CBS All Access". 11 September 2019. http://collider.com/alexander-skarsgard-randall-flagg-the-stand-cast/#the-stand-flagg.
28. ↑ Canales, Andrea. "Canales Daily: Keeping The Faith In The Feeders". goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1696/andrea-canales/2009/07/31/1413980/canales-daily-keeping-the-faith-in-the-feeders.
29. ↑ "Bajen Aid-auktionen: Ännu större succè" Template:Webarchive, 3 October 2010; retrieved 11 June 2011.
30. ↑ "Leeds Metropolitan University: Degree honour for True Blood actor Skarsgard". 20 July 2011. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-metropolitan-university-degree-honour-for-true-blood-actor-skarsgard-1-3598193.
31. ↑ Cooney Carrillo, Jenny (21 June 2016). "Alexander Skarsgard reveals his childhood connection to The Legend of Tarzan". https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/alexander-skarsgard-on-becoming-the-lord-of-the-apes-in-the-legend-of-tarzan-20160620-gpn9rk.html.
32. ↑ "Prince Harry and his Walking With The Wounded team reach South Pole" (13 December 2013).
33. ↑ "Prince Harry and mates reach South Pole". 13 December 2013. https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/12/13/prince-harry-and-mates-reach-south-pole/.
34. ↑ Kim, Eun Kyung (13 December 2013). "Prince Harry, teammates finally reach South Pole". https://www.today.com/news/prince-harry-teammates-finally-reach-south-pole-2D11740714.
35. ↑ "ELLE UK Exclusive: Alexander Skarsgård On 'Disgusting' Double Standards In Hollywood". 7 February 2018. http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/culture/news/a41447/alexander-skarsgard-double-standards-hollywood-feminist-women/.
36. ↑ "TV Scream 2009 Award Winners Announced" Retrieved on 18 October 2009.
37. ↑ "2009 14th Annual SATELLITE AWARDS" Template:Webarchive Retrieved on 20 December 2009.
38. ↑ "16th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS" Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore Retrieved on 23 January 2010.
39. ↑ Template:Cite journal

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