The Swedish actor has been in 150 films and TV shows, from “Breaking the Waves” and “Mamma Mia!” to “Andor.” He talks about his Golden Globe-winning performance in “Sentimental Value,” playing a filmmaker-father trying to reconcile with his actress-daughters.
Actor Stellan Skarsgård may be well-known in Sweden – his picture is prominently displayed at the airport – but he dismisses that it is a big deal. “Sweden is a small country!” he laughs.
He’s self-effacing, and while Skarsgärd was recognized during our stroll through his hometown of Stockholm, respectful, shy Swedes may help keep any Hollywood-actor-ego in check. Skarsgärd noted, “They don’t say like Americans – OH MY GOD, IT’S YOU!!!”
He’s recognizable from any number of roles over the decades, from Hollywood blockbusters (“The Hunt for Red October”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”), popular streaming shows (“Andor”), European art-house fare (“Breaking the Waves”), and even an ABBA musical.
I said, “This morning I was watching you singing in ‘Mamma Mia’.”
“Oh. Watching is okay, but listening to it?” Skarsgärd laughed. “I’ve tried to get into projects where I enjoy myself and have a fun time. And that’s why I’m not bored. I made 150 films. I still love it, you know?”
“It seems impossible to make that many films”, I said.
“Well, some are very short.”
His break came at age 16 on Swedish television, in “Bombi Bitt och jag.” Now, at 74, he’s reached a new high, in the Norwegian film “Sentimental Value.” He plays a once-successful filmmaker trying to reconcile with his estranged daughters.
