Malin Akerman is a Swedish-born beauty who spent her formative years in Toronto before moving to Los Angeles to give the acting thing a go.
The Swedish-born beauty spent her formative years in Toronto before moving to Los Angeles to give the acting thing a go. Since then, she has scored supporting roles in a number of star-studded blockbusters, stealing scenes from Hollywood's most notable leading ladies in movies such as Wanderlust and 27 Dresses. On the new Showtime drama Billions, Akerman is once again in impressive company, co-starring with Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti. Here, she shares some of her secrets to success, including why household-name status is great and all, but sidekicks have more fun.
Always stick to the material
I've always really enjoyed the sidekick sort of role – the best friend, the sister. In the more formulaic rom-com type of movies, these characters often end up being the quirkier ones that give you the chance to stand out. This is not necessarily conducive to becoming a leading lady. Really, though, it's the material. Being a 'household name' has never been the thing I was shooting for. My only long-term goal is to be able to keep working in this business and to keep getting opportunities that I'm excited about, which is definitely the case on Billions. Of course, there is some manoeuvring involved. For example, if I want to work more in drama, then I need to figure out how to [gain experience] in that genre. I've been lucky in that things have just sort of come along and I end up in the right place.
Spend freely, hire well
I'm not dealing with billions. Still, I think my most valuable financial advice is to hire a great business manager. Let someone else stress about your money so that you can enjoy it. I've always sort of lived by that philosophy that you empty your pockets in order to fill them again, which is sort of a karmic attitude. I don't believe in sitting on your money and obsessing over hanging on to it. I like to let it flow – use it for travel and experiential adventures. I'm definitely not the most frugal person, but that goes back to what I was saying about having a great adviser to make sure I'm not making any big mistakes.
Stay one step ahead of the paparazzi
I have a young son, so the paparazzi can be really horrible sometimes. New York, by the way, is great. I don't get disturbed there at all. Here in L.A., though, it can get to be a problem. It comes in waves. Really, things started when I was pregnant and there is this obsession with tracking the baby bump. The timing couldn't be worse because, of course, you tend to become a lot more protective when you're pregnant. Honestly, it can feel really scary. Sure, they have cameras, but really, it's five random guys following you. I had sort of a realization a while ago: I was being followed and I had my young son in the car. I shot off into an alley to get away from them and then all of a sudden, I paused and I thought to myself, 'What am I doing? I have a child in my car and I'm racing through back lanes.' I got back onto the main road, I drove home and I parked in my driveway. I walked up to the photographers who were at the end of my driveway and told them that I would wait in my car for as long as it took them to leave. It worked.
Like the gown you're in
The other night, I was at the Golden Globes and I chose a very classic dress – a silver gown [by Reem Acra]. It fit like a glove and it was just how I was feeling at the time, which was sort of classic glamour. I'm drawn to clothing that is edgier. I grew up on rock and roll and that's very much my comfort zone. I guess it could be seen as risky. Taking risks is the point. I don't pay any attention to the lists and whether I'm best dressed or worst dressed. None of that changes the fact that I really liked what I was wearing. Who cares what someone else thinks? And who are these people anyway? I would like to see what the people doing the judging are wearing.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Editor's note: Billions is a Showtime drama. Incorrect information appeared in the original version of this article.