Ever wondered what it's really like to be an actor? Billy Crudup, a name synonymous with stage, screen, and television brilliance, pulls back the curtain in a captivating interview. He's currently riding a wave of success, starring in 'The Morning Show,' the upcoming film 'Jay Kelly,' and preparing for a stage return in 'High Noon.'
This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented Billy Crudup for my Deadline video series, 'The Actor's Side.' We dove deep into his remarkable career, which spans across all three major acting platforms. He's currently captivating audiences in his fourth season as Corey on Apple TV's 'The Morning Show,' and he's also set to shine alongside George Clooney in 'Jay Kelly,' which is opening this week. And if that weren't enough, he's gearing up to take on the iconic role of Will Kane in a new stage production of the classic film 'High Noon,' premiering in London's West End. The plan is to hopefully bring the production to Broadway later on.
Crudup, a two-time Emmy winner and a Tony winner, shares a treasure trove of stories from his acting journey. He paints a vivid picture of what he calls the 'carnival life' of acting, complete with its highs, lows, and everything in between. He candidly discusses his career, including his regrets, fears, and triumphs. "I'm happy to be working — whatever they put me in, I'm happy to go," he says, and you can feel his enthusiasm.
He reminisces about his first film, 'Sleepers,' made 30 years ago, where he shared the screen with acting legends like Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and, yes, Brad Pitt. He talks about stepping into Pitt's shoes in 'Almost Famous' as a rock guitarist, despite never having played the instrument before. He also recounts singing in Woody Allen's only musical, even though he wasn't a singer by trade. Other roles include playing runner Steve Prefontaine in Robert Towne’s Without Limits, facing off with a face-hugger in Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant, and his role as the villain opposite Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible III.' He even shares a hilarious anecdote about a monologue he had to learn on the day of filming, and the advice he got from Cruise to nail it.
We also delve into his role as Corey on 'The Morning Show,' where he had to convince executives he was the right fit for the part. "Oh, are you still acting?" one of them asked. He also discusses his role alongside Clooney in 'Jay Kelly,' where he plays an acting friend of the title character who loses a career-defining role. It's a masterclass in scene-stealing. And now, he's taking on the iconic role of the reluctant Marshal Will Kane in a timely and relevant London stage production of 'High Noon,' putting his own spin on the role that won Gary Cooper his second Oscar.
But here's where it gets controversial... Crudup's career is a testament to his versatility and dedication. He has taken on a variety of roles, from playing a rock guitarist to singing in a musical, and even facing off against a face-hugger. Do you think actors should be able to do everything?
To hear more of Billy Crudup's fascinating stories and get 'the actor's side' of things, watch the full interview.
Join me every Wednesday for a new edition of 'The Actor’s Side' and every Monday for a new episode of 'Behind the Lens' during this Oscar season!
