What is Alexander Skarsgård’s net worth? Fortune explored as Hidden actor opens up about teenage exit and return to acting

Alexander Skarsgård has an estimated net worth of $14 million, thanks to a long career in film, television, and stage. This estimate is given by Celebrity Net Worth. The 48-year-old Swedish actor has starred in popular shows such as True Blood and the series Big Little Lies and films including The Legend of Tarzan, and he is continuing with the new Murderbot series.

He recently talked about stepping away from acting at age 13 and how that break shaped who he is today. He spoke about this on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard, released July 21, 2025.

How did Alexander Skarsgård left acting career, and make a comeback?

Alexander Skarsgård began acting at age 7. By 13, he starred in the Swedish TV movie Hunden som log (The Dog That Smiled). He got famous quite quickly and said that fame hurt him. He remembered that other kids at school would say, “I saw your movie.” He said,

"My confidence was just down the drain. I remember being 13, 14, and if a girl showed a little bit of interest in me, I was like, 'She's just a fan of the movie. That's it. It just crushed me. I was like, 'This is terrible.' And I've done one 50-minute made-for-TV movie. I don't want to keep doing this."

He said he "retired" and wanted a normal life. He joked that he wanted to drive a "sob" to a gray office, just like an everyday kid. He knew he could return later, so he took a break. Years later, he chose to return. In 2001, at age 25, he made his Hollywood debut in Zoolander. After that, he built his career with roles in Generation Kill, True Blood, The Legend of Tarzan in 2016, The Northman in 2022, and the 2025 Murderbot series.

How did Alexander Skarsgård’s career build his net worth?

With a net worth of about $14 million, Alexander Skarsgård is in a strong financial place. Most of this wealth came from acting in big shows and movies. He earned around $275,000 per episode for True Blood. That show ran for six years, giving him both fame and income. Alexander worked on high-profile films, too. The Legend of Tarzan, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Northman had big budgets and likely offered large paychecks.

Recently, he landed a lead role in Murderbot for Apple TV+. TV series roles like that tend to come with significant pay. He has also worked as a producer and executive producer on The Northman, which may have earned him extra money.

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Alexander Skarsgård says stepping away from acting helped him grow. He served in the Swedish Navy and attended school in London and New York before returning to the screen. That break gave him time to find himself outside fame. Looking ahead, Alexander has new projects. In 2025, he stars in the British drama Pillion, which premiered at Cannes, alongside his continuation in Murderbot.

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