True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård TV guide

He Plays True Blood’s sexy Viking vamp, Eric Northman, who’s eaten a man alaive, tortured countless others and menaced poor Sookie (Anna Paquin). But he isn’t all bite, says Skarsgård. “You think Eric might not have a sensitive side, but he does.”
Where You’ve Seen Him Before HBO’s 2008 military miniseries Generation Kill. And, most recently, as Lady Gaga’s villainous boyfriend in her video for “Paparazzi.”
Why We Love Him Forget IKEA. Skarsgård is America’s favorite Swedish import. “He’s big, blond, take-charge. If you have got hormones, you’re going to be attracted to him,” says Charlaine Harris, author of the books series on which the show is based.
Family Business The oldest of actor dad Stellan Skarsgård’s seven children, he hit is big in a Swedish film at age 13. “It’s tough to be famous that young,” he says. “It made me insecure and self-conscious, so I quit acting.” At 20, following a stint in the Swedish marines, Skarsgård gave acting another go, landing roles in “Zoolander” and Generation Kill. But the role he’d really love to play is dad. “I’m single. I grew up in a platoon of people. I don’t have a family, but it is something I really want.” That should be pretty easy for this smokin’ Swede to assemble. –Kate Hahn