‘It: Welcome to Derry’ Star Bill Skarsgård Ditches the Horror and Brings Classic Hollywood Polish to the Academy Museum Gala
Bill Skarsgård has spent much of his career disappearing behind some of cinema’s most unsettling faces, which makes his red carpet moments feel like a rare chance to see the man behind the monsters. The Swedish actor gained international recognition as Pennywise in ‘It’ and ‘It: Chapter Two’, and later reprised the role in the HBO Max prequel series ‘It: Welcome to Derry’, where he also served as an executive producer.
His transformations haven’t slowed down. Skarsgård played Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a performance critics hailed as a remarkable transformation, and also led Rupert Sanders’ remake of ‘The Crow’.
Acting runs in the family. As the youngest member of the Swedish Skarsgård clan, he followed his father, Stellan, and brothers Gustaf and Alexander into the business, starting with small roles on Swedish television.
This year has been especially busy. He drew rave reviews for his performance in Gus Van Sant’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire’, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, and co-starred with Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer in Michael Sarnoski’s ‘The Death of Robin Hood’.
Bill Skarsgård is here at the Academy Museum Gala https://t.co/J5Kamiy34I
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 18, 2026
That momentum carried him straight onto one of Hollywood’s most glamorous red carpets. Skarsgård attended the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala on October 17 in Los Angeles, and Deadline shared a video of his arrival on social media.
He wore Dolce&Gabbana for the occasion. The black tuxedo featured dramatic wide satin peak lapels, a crisp white shirt and a classic black bow tie, paired with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers that gave the look a sleek, old-school silhouette.
Skarsgård kept the rest refined, with his hair swept back and one hand casually tucked in his pocket as he posed for cameras. The understated approach let the tailoring speak for itself, a sharp contrast to the elaborate prosthetics his most famous roles require. He wasn’t the only Skarsgård in attendance. His older brother Alexander also walked the carpet at the gala, making it a notable night for the acting family.
The event, presented by Rolex and co-chaired by Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, honored Charlize Theron with the Icon Award, Colman Domingo with the Vantage Award and John Carpenter with the Luminary Award. Taylor Swift was set to perform, and the guest list included stars like Swift, Common, Iris Law, and many more.
this little smile from Bill Skarsgård 😍 https://t.co/Jp9dq3BJ1X
— Chris (@Nenn_mich_chris) October 18, 2026
Often called the “Met Gala of the West,” the gala raises funds for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Skarsgård is no stranger to that kind of fashion spotlight, having attended the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” in May. His schedule shows no signs of slowing down. Skarsgård next stars in Peter Berg’s ‘The Mosquito Bowl’ and Andrew Niccol’s ‘Lords of War’ opposite Nicolas Cage.
He has also stepped into the role of tastemaker this year. Skarsgård served on the official selection jury at the San Sebastián Film Festival, a sign of the respect he has earned within the industry.
Bill Skarsgård the man that you are 🖤 https://t.co/1qIzAuy3cS
— isa 🧛🏻♀️🦇 (@godfreysgirl) October 18, 2026
His career has spanned an impressive range, including ‘Barbarian’, ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, ‘Atomic Blonde’ and ‘The Devil All the Time’. Yet nights like this one remind fans how effortlessly he can trade terrifying transformations for timeless elegance.
With a slate full of new projects and a growing reputation as a red carpet standout, Skarsgård continues to prove he’s far more than the face behind Hollywood’s scariest clown.
What do you think of Bill Skarsgård’s classic Dolce&Gabbana tuxedo at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala?
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