Alexander Skarsgård is opening up about how being a dad has completely flipped his approach to his demanding acting career, admitting he can’t be as self-centered as he used to be. People Magazine reported that the 49-year-old actor recently shared some rare comments about life with his child, whom he shares with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny.
Skarsgård admitted that his life used to revolve entirely around his profession, which meant constant travel and long periods away from home. He actually loved that aspect of his work, saying he “lived on the road.” He added, “I love that aspect of the industry, you’re a traveling circus.” However, now that family is in the picture, Skarsgård said that he is focused on balance, to make sure he can “be present for my kid.”
He summed up the change perfectly, describing how parenthood has forced him to evolve: “I can’t be as selfish and narcissistic as I was before.” That’s a brutally honest and relatable take.
It seems that fathers are often the most stunned about how much a child can and will impact their lives
Skarsgård and Novotny are incredibly private, which led to them keeping the news of their first child quiet for a long time. However, it is clear he is smitten. He has often talked in the past about having a large family.
Back in 2017, he joked during a sit-down interview that he wanted to “beat my dad” when it came to the number of children. His father, the legendary actor Stellan Skarsgård, has eight kids! That’s a serious number of siblings to keep up with.
becoming a father soon
— alex (@alxchieng) January 23, 2026
changes how you see everything
the late nights building aren't just for me anymore
they're for the legacy I'm creating
different energy, deeper purpose
He detailed how his dad, who is 65, had a kid just a few years ago. Skarsgård noted that his father had children across five different decades, from the 1970s up into the 2010s. When asked about his childhood, he admitted his home life was a “madhouse,” but he quickly followed up by saying it “was fun.” He recalled a “very kind of bohemian household” where there were “lots of people and dogs running around.”
Given that background, it seems like Skarsgård is ready to embrace the wonderful, chaotic shift that comes with trading the “traveling circus” life for the joyful mess of parenthood. He is just another of the many celebrities who are vocal about how fatherhood has changed their lives for the better. Thankfully, these men are working towards being amazing parents rather than some who make you question if parenthood should come with licenses.
