The son of Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, Alexander Skarsgard began acting in Swedish films and television at the age of seven. At age thirteen, he appeared in the Swedish movie The Dog That Smiled, which was a success and earned Skarsgard much acclaim. Skarsgard didn’t like the attention, however, and decided to take a lengthy break from acting, returning to it when he was twenty. In 2001 he began acting in North American films, starting with Zoolander.
Since Zoolander, Skarsgard’s star has been steadily rising, with notable roles in TV series such as Generation Kill and True Blood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF83Onw7brI
And in films such as Melancholia, Straw Dogs, and Battleship. He also voiced the character of Moomintroll in Moomins and the Comet Chase! Alexander Skarsgard turns 36 today.