Stellan Skarsgård, the father of one of the world’s most well-known families of actors, has shared his thoughts on a nickname ‘cruel’ kids have given to his youngest child.
As the family’s patriarch, Stellan is a highly respected Swedish actor with an international career spanning both European cinema and Hollywood.
The 74-year-old has appeared in a number of acclaimed films, such as Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia!, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Chernobyl.
His legacy continues through his eight children - two of which he shares with current wife Megan Everett-Skarsgård and six with ex-wife My Skarsgård - several of whom have made their own mark in acting.
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The eldest, Alexander Skarsgård, 49, is one of the the most famous, having gained global recognition for his roles in True Blood, Big Little Lies, The Northman, and Succession.
Gustaf Skarsgård, 44, is known for his captivating portrayal of Floki in Vikings and as Karl Strand in Westworld.
Meanwhile, Bill Skarsgård, 35, has become widely recognized for his chilling performance as Pennywise the Clown in It, as well as roles in Hemlock Grove.
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Valter Skarsgård, 29, has built a growing career in Swedish film and television, with notable appearances in Black Lake and Lords of Chaos.
Stellan’s youngest son, 13-year-old Kolbjörn Skarsgård, has already started to make his own mark in the acting world. But it seems Kolbjörn’s impressive career has yet to win over his classmates who have given him a nickname because of his connections.
In a new interview with Vulture, Stellan said his teen son gets 'so sad' and is 'isolated' from his classmates as they call him a 'nepo baby' - a term for a child with successful parents.
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It suggests that the only reason why they’re able to be successful in the same industry is due to nepotism, or favoritism based on family connections, rather than talent.
When asked if he would consider his children 'nepo babies', Stellan told the outlet: “No. I consider myself a nepo daddy because I get so much goodwill and maybe jobs because of them.”
He went on: “My 13-year-old, Kolbjörn, the youngest, suffers from that. When his pals at school call him nepo baby, he gets so sad. He doesn’t have any friends at school.
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“He gets isolated. Cruel kids - or cruel and ignorant. They love it on the internet. But it is such a bulls**t thing. Because nobody would hire you, at least not for anything good, if you’re not good enough.”
Kolbjörn made his onscreen debut at just nine years old in the 2022 Netflix series Clark, which also starred his half-brother Bill as an older version of his character.
The teen has since landed a role in the upcoming 2025 Swedish horror series Blood Cruise, signaling a promising start to his career. Even if his classmates aren’t the biggest fans…
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Parenting
Gregory Robinson