Billy Crudup, a talented actor known for his rigorous career choices and chiseled good looks, has been walking the line between serious actor and leading man for several years. He is the father of 20-year-old William Atticus Parker, a director, writer, and actor.
Born in 1968 in Manhasset, New York, Crudup is the middle child of three boys. His family frequently moved, and he had to develop ways to gain acceptance, eventually becoming the class clown. He found roles in school pageants and developed funny impersonations to entertain family and friends.
Crudup received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, where he confirmed his interest in acting. He then studied at New York University, joining a theatre troupe called "The Lab!" and performing in little plays and musicals. He even played Schroeder in the children's musical "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown!".
After earning a Master of Fine Arts from the Tisch School of the Arts at NY in 1994, Crudup made a name for himself on Broadway, earning the Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Newcomer Award for his performance in Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia".
His first big-screen acting gig was in the indie film Grind (1997),followed by roles in Sleepers (1996),Everyone Says I Love You (1996),and Inventing the Abbotts (1997). He has said that he looks for characters wrestling with their mistakes, and has turned down roles for more challenging projects.
Crudup has been a student of human nature, seeking out characters that transform themselves for a role. He has appeared in films like Without Limits (1998),Waking the Dead (2000),Jesus' Son (1999),and Almost Famous (2000). He has also returned to the stage, starring in productions like "The Elephant Man" on Broadway.
Crudup lives in New York and has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Mary-Louise Parker. He has also been in a relationship with Claire Danes, with whom he co-starred in Stage Beauty (2004). Despite his growing popularity, Crudup prefers quiet anonymity to the spotlight, but his talent and dedication to his craft ensure that he will continue to be recognized for his work.
