The 5 Terrifying Secrets Of Bill Skarsgård, The Actor Who Plays Pennywise (And His 2025 Return)

The actor who plays Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the modern cinematic adaptations is the Swedish star Bill Skarsgård. While the character is a terrifying, ancient, shape-shifting entity known as "It," Skarsgård’s chilling performance across the 2017 and 2019 films cemented his version as the definitive modern horror icon. The most crucial and current update, as of December 2025, is that Skarsgård is officially set to reprise his role in the highly anticipated Max prequel series, *It: Welcome to Derry*, ensuring his continued reign as the face of coulrophobia.

This comprehensive profile dives deep into the man behind the makeup, the unique physical traits he brought to the role, and the confirmed details of his upcoming return to the cursed town of Derry, Maine, in 2025. His commitment to the character, known in the novel by Stephen King as Bob Gray, goes far beyond simple acting, incorporating natural physical abilities that make his portrayal uniquely disturbing.

The Bill Skarsgård Biography and Filmography

Bill Istvan Günther Skarsgård is a Swedish actor born into a renowned acting family, which includes his father, Stellan Skarsgård, and brothers Alexander, Gustaf, and Valter. His lineage in the arts is long, but his breakout role as the monstrous clown Pennywise has permanently defined his career for a generation of horror fans.

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• Full Name: Bill Istvan Günther Skarsgård
• Date of Birth: August 9, 1990
• Place of Birth: Vällingby, Sweden
• Nationality: Swedish
• Known For: Pennywise in *It* (2017) and *It Chapter Two* (2019)
• Other Notable Roles: Roman Godfrey in the Netflix series *Hemlock Grove*, The Marquis in *John Wick: Chapter 4*, and the upcoming lead role in the remake of *Nosferatu*.

Skarsgård's career began in Swedish cinema, but his transition to Hollywood was marked by a penchant for dark, complex, and often villainous characters. His portrayal of Pennywise earned him widespread critical acclaim, including nominations for a Saturn Award and an MTV Movie & TV Award, solidifying his status as a major horror actor.

The Shocking Physical Trait Bill Skarsgård Used for Pennywise’s Smile

One of the most unsettling and memorable aspects of Skarsgård's Pennywise is the iconic, demonic smile—a wide, unnatural grin that seems to defy human anatomy. Many assume this effect is purely the work of CGI or complex prosthetics, but the truth is far more shocking: the smile is a natural physical trait the actor possesses.

Skarsgård himself revealed that he developed the ability to droop his lower lip into a sharp, almost pointed shape as a child, practicing it in front of the mirror. This unique, unsettling facial movement was incorporated into the character's design by director Andy Muschietti, making the clown's expression authentically disturbing. This natural "Skarsgård stare" and lip movement gave the performance an organic horror that computer-generated effects could never fully replicate.

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The intensity of the role went beyond facial expressions. Skarsgård dedicated himself to the psychological depth of the ancient entity, keeping himself separate from the young cast members (The Losers' Club) during the filming of the first movie to maintain an aura of fear and mystery. This method acting approach helped to genuinely terrify his co-stars, contributing to the film’s overall atmosphere of dread.

Pennywise’s Evolution: From Tim Curry to the 2025 Return

To fully appreciate Skarsgård’s impact, it is essential to acknowledge the previous iconic performance. The first major adaptation of Stephen King's novel was the 1990 television miniseries, where the role of Pennywise was played by the legendary actor Tim Curry. Curry’s version was more traditional, relying on classic clown aesthetics and a mischievous, theatrical menace.

Skarsgård’s interpretation, however, leaned heavily into the creature’s true, cosmic horror nature, making his Pennywise more alien, monstrous, and unpredictable. This contrast helped the 2017 and 2019 films stand on their own as a distinct, terrifying vision of the source material.

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The Confirmed Return in *It: Welcome to Derry* (2025)

The biggest news for fans of the franchise is the official confirmation that Bill Skarsgård will return as Pennywise in the prequel series *It: Welcome to Derry*, set to premiere on Max in 2025.

This series serves as a prequel to the two films, exploring the sinister history of the town of Derry and the origins of the creature known as It. The plot is primarily set in the 1960s, tracing the events leading up to the fateful summer of 1989 when the Losers' Club first confronted the clown. Skarsgård’s involvement was a major surprise and a huge win for the series, ensuring continuity and the return of the terrifying presence that made the films so successful.

While the series features a new core cast, including Jovan Adepo (as Leroy Hanlon) and Chris Messina, Skarsgård's presence is the anchor. Early details from the set suggest that his transformation and performance are as intense as ever, with the series offering a deeper dive into the entity's history and its connection to the town's decades of tragedy. The return of the Swedish actor to this iconic horror role is one of the most anticipated events in the genre for 2025.

The Legacy of the New Pennywise

Bill Skarsgård's work as Pennywise has transcended the typical horror villain role. He managed to take a character already made famous by Tim Curry and reinvent it for a new era, making the clown a symbol of modern, psychological terror. His physical commitment, from the distinct smile to the unnerving cross-eyed stare, turned a costume into a truly grotesque and unforgettable monster.

The success of the *It* films, directed by Andy Muschietti, grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, largely due to the strength of Skarsgård's performance. As he steps back into the makeup for *It: Welcome to Derry*, he is not just reprising a role; he is expanding the mythology of one of Stephen King's most enduring and terrifying creations, ensuring that the legacy of his Pennywise—the Dancing Clown who feeds on fear—will continue to haunt audiences for years to come.