Bill Skarsgård has given fans a rare and relatable glimpse into his personal life.
During a recent interview, the actor was asked whether his famous family keeps in touch through a group chat, and he confirmed that they do. What caught attention, however, was the unusual name he revealed for the chat, along with the kind of conversations that take place within it.
Bill comes from a large family of six siblings and two step-siblings, many of whom work in the entertainment industry.
During a recent appearance on “Good Morning America,” 35-year-old Bill opened up about his family’s group chat.
The Skarsgårds, who have collectively built an impressive legacy in film and television, use the chat to stay connected despite their busy schedules and careers spanning multiple countries and productions.
While a family group chat may be commonplace, less common is the humorous name they gave it, inspired by another well-known acting family in Hollywood.
“Do you guys have a family group text?” Bill was asked by host Lara Spencer.
He responded, saying, “Yes, yes — it’s called ‘The Baldwins.’”
Skarsgård Says His Family Are ‘Harsh Critics’
The Baldwins referenced by Bill are the famous acting brothers Alec, Daniel, William, and Stephen Baldwin, all of whom have enjoyed successful careers in film and television.
The comparison appeared to catch Spencer off guard, and she quickly followed up by asking Bill whether he was serious about the family group chat actually being named after the Baldwin brothers.
Bill confirmed that the name was real before joking about how his own family’s chat tends to provide “a lot more critique than help.”
“Harsh critics!” Bill said of his family, which includes several active actors. “I mean, we’re all very supportive, and I think we’re all rooting for each other as well.”
How The Skarsgårds Built A Hollywood Legacy
The story of the Skarsgård family’s foray into acting begins with the family’s patriarch, Stellan, who achieved global fame through roles in films such as “Good Will Hunting,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Thor,” and “Dune.”
His eldest son, Alexander Skarsgård, entered the industry as a child actor in the 1980s before breaking through internationally with “True Blood.” He later earned widespread acclaim for his performances in “Big Little Lies,” “Succession,” and “The Northman.”
Meanwhile, Gustaf gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Floki in “Vikings” and has also appeared in notable productions such as “Westworld” and “Oppenheimer.” Similarly, Bill rose to international stardom through his portrayal of Pennywise in “IT” and “IT Chapter Two.”
In addition to the three brothers, their younger brother, 30-year-old Valter, and their two half-siblings, 17-year-old Ossian and 13-year-old Kolbjörn, have also pursued careers in acting.
Why Bill Skarsgård Took On ‘Dead Man’s Wire’
More recently, Bill has further cemented his reputation with his role in “Dead Man’s Wire.”
Starring in the project came after an extended break from acting, during which he watched films and reflected on the type of work he wanted to pursue next.
It was during this break that director Gus Van Sant reached out to him with the script by Austin Kolodney, which was based on a real 1977 hostage incident, and it immediately drew his attention.
“Of course, Gus Van Sant [directing] is an immediate attraction, right? Then I read the script, and I thought it was great, and absolutely crazy,” he said in an interview.
Bill Skarsgård Says He Needed The Challenge
Despite being drawn to the script, Bill was not immediately convinced that he was the right person to play the role.
He noted a physical mismatch between himself and the real-life figure he was set to portray, which he later described as his “own self-doubt” creeping in.
Ultimately, he said the uncertainty helped him in the long run, as it kept him focused on delivering his best performance.
“If I feel like I’ve done a role, and I know exactly how to do it, and I can see the reasons why they’ve cast me, it’s less exciting,” he said. “It’s less dangerous, and ultimately, it won’t motivate me to be as good as I can be. I’m someone that has to be challenged.”