Ever since he was a kid, Brandon Sklenar has always had both feet firmly placed on the ground. “Even when I was a kid on Christmas, I was just like, ‘Oh, it’s Christmas,’” he told People. So, while most people would be ecstatic with all the attention he’s getting after 1923 became a hit, Sklenar takes a modest approach.
“I come from a lineage of blue-collar workers, and I grew up on a job site, so I started swinging a hammer when I was 10 years old,” he said. “You do your best, and hopefully good things happen.” Good things are definitely happening to him.
He Reflects on the ‘Divine Timing’ of His New Thriller ‘Drop’
In 2022, Sklenar caused a stir with his role as Spencer Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s newest Yellowstone spinoff. Fans adored the rugged World War I vet and the steamy love story of Spencer and Alex. On April 6, the final episode of 1923‘s Season 2 premiered. “That finale hits very, very hard,” Sklenar told a panel at Deadline Contenders TV.
But, while one door shuts, another opens, as he notes that his new thriller Drop arrives in theaters on April 11. “It is very cool objectively that these things are happening at the same time,” he said. “It’s sort of divine timing, a universal wink. It’s like, ‘Hey, good on you.’”
That may be an understatement about his burgeoning career: Since appearing in 1923, Sklenar has appeared in four films and has three more in production. Sklenar looks at his career trajectory a bit more pragmatically.
“I’ve been kind of just pounding away for the last 16 years,” he remarked. “It’s like the universe throwing you a bone and I really appreciate that.”
Sklenar Says Acting Helped Him Combat Stutter, Depression
While many budding actors dream of becoming famous, Sklenar had other reasons for falling in love with performing. Not only did it help him get rid of his stutter, but it also helped him with feelings of depression. “My happiest moments were when I was playing and I got to disappear into these things,” admitted Sklenar.
Raised in a “blue collar” family, his father was a carpenter and his mother a hairdresser. But he knew he wanted to do something different. At 19 years old, he packed up his car and drove to Hollywood. “It was like a burning desire and there was nothing else that I could do. I had to do it. And yeah, the drive was tremendous to do that,” he says.
Before his schedule gets packed again, he’s determined to relax at home with his girlfriend, Courtney Salviolo, and 13-year-old pup, Remy. “I like to sit with my dog and my girl and play the guitar,” he said.
