Stellan Skarsgård Opens Up About His 13-Year-Old Son’s Painful Bullying Experience

Stellan Skarsgård, the powerhouse actor known for his roles in everything from “Chernobyl” to “Dune,” has seen it all. He has a stellar career in Hollywood. You’d think nothing could faze him. But when it comes to his children, Skarsgård is a father first. And right now, he’s a father who’s had enough. 

Trigger Warning: This article talks about the sensitive subject of bullying.

Stellan Skarsgård Calls Out the Bullying of His Son

The celebrated actor has opened up about the heartbreaking bullying his youngest son, 13-year-old Kolbjörn, is facing at school. The reason? His famous family. Kolbjörn, who already has an acting credit on a horror show called “Blood Cruise” (“Färjan”), is being relentlessly tormented by classmates who label him a “nepo baby.”

It’s a term that’s become a cultural buzzword, often thrown around to dismiss the success of anyone with a famous relative. But for a 13-year-old just trying to navigate middle school, it’s a source of genuine pain. In a recent interview with Vulture, Stellan Skarsgård didn’t hold back, describing the devastating impact this has had on his son.

He told Vulture, “He doesn’t have any friends at school. He gets isolated.” He went on to call the bullies “cruel kids—or cruel and ignorant,” adding, “They love it on the internet.” It’s a gut-wrenching image: a young boy feeling completely alone because of something entirely out of his control.

Stellan Skarsgård on Talent and Hard Work

For Stellan Skarsgård, the whole “nepo baby” argument is fundamentally flawed. He’s a veteran of the industry who understands that a famous name might get you in the door, but it won’t keep you in the room. Talent is what truly matters. He passionately dismissed the label as “such a bulls— thing,” explaining his view to Vulture with the frankness he’s known for. “Because nobody would hire you, at least not for anything good, if you’re not good enough.”

It’s a reality check from someone who has seen countless actors come and go. His own sons, Alexander (“True Blood,” “The Northman”) and Bill (“It,” “John Wick: Chapter 4″), have built impressive careers through distinct, demanding roles that showcase their individual talent, not just their last name. With a touch of his signature wit, Skarsgård even flipped the script on himself.

“I consider myself a nepo daddy,” he joked, “because I get so much goodwill and maybe jobs because of them.” It’s a classic Skarsgård move—using humor to highlight the absurdity of the situation while subtly praising the success his children have earned on their own merits. It’s a cool way to find light in the midst of being subjected to a serious act of inhumanity, such as bullying. 

Beyond the industry politics, Stellan Skarsgård’s comments paint a portrait of a deeply dedicated and refreshingly modern father. He has eight children, and his greatest fear was never about their potential challenges, but something far more personal. Entertainment Online reported him saying, “With all my eight kids, there’s one thing I’ve been afraid of every time I have a new kid,” he admitted. “Not that they have Down syndrome or they’re autistic—that they’re boring. Luckily, none of them were.”

Final Thoughts

This philosophy underscores why the bullying of his youngest son hits so hard. It’s not just an online debate; it’s an attack on a young boy’s spirit. For Stellan Skarsgård, this isn’t about defending a dynasty. It’s about protecting a child’s right to find his own way, make friends, and be judged for who he is, not who his father is. And in that fight, he’s not an actor or a celebrity—he’s just a dad.