Almost Famous
One of Hollywood's most underrated but definitely talented and gifted actor, Billy Crudup in tMF profile!
by Jed Medina

You might agree with me when I say his role in Cameron Crowe’s ‘Almost Famous’ is packed with understated sexuality and charm. As the lead guitarist for the fictional band 'Stillwater', Billy Crudup is given the chance to portray an interesting character - a bonafide rock star. While showing the kind of confidence that borders on arrogance, Crudup makes quite an impression. Its not bad that the actor can also sing.

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Body of Work: Portraying unconventional characters in a number of impressive and critically-acclaimed films, Billy Crudup is one of today's most consummate actors. But it seems he has been seducing filmgoers even before that - think of ‘Inventing the Abbots’ where he plays Jacey Holt, Joaquin Phoenix’s brother, charming all the women in the film, including the delightful Jennifer Connelly.

' I found it terribly disconcerting, the way in which you become encumbered by these pieces of brutal torture which I had never been exposed to before, like high heels and corsets. I found it mystifying. But it dictated so much of the movement; I had to do much less work on the physicality of the character. In that regard it was quite useful." says Crudup of his role.

Billy Crudup is certainly more than just a smoldering presence on screen; he also manages to impress moviegoers as Cate Blanchett's romantic interest in the war drama ‘Charlotte Gray” and as Albert Finney’s son in Tim Burton’s ‘Big Fish’. That last scene in ‘Big Fish’ where he is finally reconciled to the ways of his father is so heartfelt that you can't help wondering how great it would be to have him for a son, or even for a brother.

In Charlotte Gray, working with Cate Blanchett was a challenge for Crudup:

" I actually became extremely self-conscious, because you know how good her work is, and you begin to wonder why yours isn't as good! But more often than not, I think what you find is that it forces you to elevate your own skills. And that was one of the primary reasons I wanted to be in Charlotte Gray. Because Cate is an actress that I admire a great deal, and I felt like it was an opportunity for me to learn from what she does. "

In ‘Without Limits’, where he portrayes the fallen athlete Steve Prefontaine, Crudup’s performance more than eclipses another adaptation of the runner, and makes the film more than just a homage to the famous middle distance athlete. He has this uncanny ability to disappear into his character and plays his role with gusto and inspiration. As you watch him competing in the Olympics, you can feel the excitement as keenly as if you were there in the stadium, cheering him on.

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Critical-acclaim: On the festival circuit, Crudup rose to the occasion in the film 'Jesus' Son'. Playing a drug addict and a drifter, it was a tour-de-force performance for the actor. A reviewer sums up how Crudup performed as Fuckhead: "Jesus' Son" is dependent for its success on the portrayal of its central character. Billy Crudup, an actor who could easily be dismissed as a pretty boy, brings an almost palpable reality to every scene. He exhibits a total identification with the character and is able to project perfectly the inherent ambiguity that drives the entire story. Is Fuck Head putting everyone on? There are flashes of nearly poetic brilliance in his dialogue, mixed with befuddled inanity...."

Theatre training: Crudup's amazing performance onscreen was not the start of his acting career. His previous work in theatre makes him a better prepared actor. Known for his dedication to details and the need to research his roles, he makes sure he raises the standard of his portrayal with every script he is given the chance to work on.

The Long Island native was still a student when he first appeared in a film. Released in 1997, the film entitled 'Grind' is all about a recently released convict who gets into romantic entanglement with his sister-in-law. It has been said that Crudup "delivered what many felt was a star-making performance although few actually saw the picture in movie theaters." But it was two years before he really entered the scene, when he played in "Arcadia" on Broadway.

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Private Billy: Crudup is quite frank about keeping a gap between his work and personal life. Known to value his privacy, he differs from most Hollywood actors regarding the issue of being a 'celebrity'. In an interview with Kevin Sessums, he said:

" There is an industry that thrives on personality. That industry sustains itself by insisting that fame is a mandate of acting. I totally disagree. I think I can be successful in my work if people don't know shit about me. I think the thing about fame being an inherent aspect of artistic success is bullshit! I think the only way to stop it is to demand that it is bullshit!"

Another notable article about Crudup mentioned how he differs from today's publicity-hungry actors: "While Billy Crudup has eschewed the hype attached to working in the movie industry ("I'm not a star and I have no desire to be one."), he clearly has arrived at a crossroads in his career.

It has been said that he turned down 2 defining roles, including the lead in ‘Titanic’ and ‘American Psycho’, but the Crudup film list remains impressive and more than comparable with anyone in Hollywood today.

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Now Showing: Crudup plays Arch Cummings, Damon's British counterpart in the thriller The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert de Niro.

2006 was another busy year for the actor. Aside from a role in Mission Impossible III with Tom Cruise, he also appeared in the romantic comedy 'Trust the Man' with David Duchovny and Julianne Moore. Next on the list came the Robert deNiro film The Good Shepherd where he pitted skills with Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie.

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Billy Crudup spotlight written by Jed Medina, with excerpts taken from Billy Crudup fansite, Wikipedia Profile, IMDB, Thespian Profile. All Rights Reserved 2007

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