Skarsgård, Stellan Skarsgård, opens up about his outlook on life and his career after having suffered a stroke three years ago. The 74-year-old actor reveals he’s living on borrowed time, but isn’t afraid of what comes next.
The stroke had impacted the actor’s memory and language abilities. Despite this, Skarsgård hasn’t slowed down his career. He’s even starring in and executive producing the upcoming film Sentimental Value.
“I feel a little more like I live under the sword now. Because I’ve lived a naughty life. And I’m 74, which is already on overtime,” he told Vulture in an interview.
Skarsgård explains the stroke had perfect timing, having occurred between filming Andor Season 1 and 2, and between filming both Dune movies. He does admit to not being able to remember names and needing an earpiece while filming Dune 2 for his lines.
“I can’t follow a thought or make an argument that spans several sentences that gets to the point — that, then bang! That is extremely frustrating. But on the other hand, I’m alive. I can work,” he said.
“I’m not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of not being capable of living. That is a fear,” he added.
With the concept of dying not a main concern for the actor, Skarsgård does have one fear – being too boring. His main worry was that his eight children would grow up to be too dull, and “luckily, none of them were.”
Skarsgård had five children with his first wife, My Skarsgård, four of whom followed in their father’s footsteps and became actors. Alexander Skarsgård, Gustav Skarsgård, and Bill Skarsgård grew up and became known for hits like True Blood, Vikings, It, and Hemlock Grove.
The actor later married his current wife, Megan Everett, and fathered three children. Valter Skarsgård and Colin Skarsgård are budding actors in the industry.
He doesn’t consider his children “nepo babies,” and instead calls himself a “nepo daddy,” seeing as he gets plenty of work thanks to his children.
