Many fans ask whether American actor Peter Sarsgaard and Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård are related, since their surnames and profiles in film often invite comparison.
It’s easy to see why people connect the two: both have made a name for themselves on screen and their last names look—and sound—similar. Peter, an American performer, has appeared in films such as “Shattered Glass” and “The Batman,” while Bill Skarsgård, from Sweden, earned wide attention for his terrifying turn as Pennywise in “It” and other memorable roles.
Despite the surface similarities, the two are not family. Peter’s family roots trace back to Denmark, whereas Bill belongs to the prominent Skarsgård acting family in Sweden. Regardless of any blood tie, each actor has built a respected career through distinctive and committed performances.
Are Peter and Bill Related?
Although they have similar last names, there is no established family connection between Peter and Bill Sarsgaard. They hail from different countries: John Peter Sarsgaard was born on March 7, 1971, in St. Clair County, Illinois, U.S., while Bill Istvan Günther Skarsgård was born on August 9, 1990, in Vällingby, Stockholm, Sweden.
They don’t share any ancestors and have also not appeared in the same movie ever. They are not professionally connected either. It’s common for people to assume a relationship when surnames match, but in this instance there is no documented familial link between them.
Because there’s no known family tie, their backgrounds are distinct and they most likely do not share blood relatives. Any belief that they are related rests solely on the coincidence of their last names and is unsupported by available information.
Peter Sarsgaard — Background and Career Snapshot
John Peter Sarsgaard was born on March 7, 1971, in St. Clair County, Illinois. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in history before pursuing a career in acting.
After his screen debut in 1995, Sarsgaard built a steady career across film and television, taking on a variety of challenging roles. He married actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in 2009, and the couple have two children together.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is the sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal, which makes Peter Sarsgaard Jake’s brother-in-law. Across more than two decades in the industry, Sarsgaard has earned a reputation as a versatile and respected performer.
Bill Skarsgård — Background and Family
Bill Istvan Günther Skarsgård was born on August 9, 1990, in Vällingby, Stockholm, Sweden. A member of a family long involved in the entertainment world — his father is actor Stellan Skarsgård — Bill has become known for his range and intensity on screen. He earned wide attention for playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the film adaptations of Stephen King’s It: “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019), and his filmography also includes roles in “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” (2016), “Nine Days” (2020), and “John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023).
Beyond movies, Skarsgård has appeared on television in series such as “Hemlock Grove” (2013–2015) and “Castle Rock” (2018–2019), earning praise and various award nominations along the way. He also recently revealed the new look for his movie.
On the personal side, Skarsgård has been in a relationship with actress Alida Morberg, with whom he shares a child. Despite some public difficulties, including a widely reported arrest in February 2024, he remains a prominent and committed performer.
