Alexander Skarsgard Talks About Fame, Celebrity, and Not "Going Hollywood"

Alexander Skarsgård, who plays vampire sheriff Eric Northman, is definitely not the type of celebrity we're use to in America. No entourages, no outrageous on-set demands, no tabloid exploits... no "going Hollywood". Alexander sat down with Leslie Gornstein from the LA Times Magazine at a recent photo shoot to discuss his childhood acting career, his "Skarsgårdians", and how he keeps a level head about his growing fame. Alexander is the son of a Swedish actor, Stellan Skarsgård, and began acting as a child. At the age of 13, he grew uncomfortable with being recognized and written about.

It can be really, really tough being a child actor. A lot of them have huge problems growing up. I didn't like being famous when I was 13. I didn't like people recognizing me.

After telling his parents that he no longer felt comfortable being an actor, his father told him that he "only become an actor if you feel like you don't have a choice" and at the age of 13, Alexander quit. It wasn't until he was 20 that he returned to acting.

I missed it—being onstage or in front of a camera. I thought, All right, I'm 20 now instead of 13. Maybe I'm a little different from how I was seven years ago, and I owe it to myself to try it now, and at least I can dismiss it if I'm still not comfortable. I will know for sure, and I can move on. But it was just like my father said: I felt like I didn't have an option.

Now at the age of 33, Alexander has become a sexual icon- 6'4", striking features, and muscular body, he is constantly recognized, written about, and idolized. With a multitude of fan sites, Alexander has found that he is no longer uncomfortable with this attention, but flattered. So, how does one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors remain sane while also not "going Hollywood"? By doing things the way he's always done them: going to the movies alone, parking his own car, and volunteering to help his crew members.

I'm not a "Hollywood" actor. I am a social guy, but I'm not one of those actors who will show up to a shoot with 15 agents and managers and publicists. An entourage like that just makes me uncomfortable.

While flattered by all the attention he is getting from fans he admits that in order to stay sane he stays away from fan sites, blogs and Twitter.  Which to answer everyone's question is Alex NOT on Twitter.  So that person who says they are Alex on Twitter is a fake!  While Alexander's character, Eric Northman, may ride the line between good and evil, Alexander proves to remain levelheaded during his rise to fame. Check out Alex's amazing photo shoot in LATimes Magazine here. SOURCE: LATimes Magazine (Photo credit: HBO)

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