William Gaither Crudup is a celebrated American actor known for his diverse roles in both independent and blockbuster films. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in "Jesus' Son" (1999), earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination. His career highlights include prominent roles in movies like "Almost Famous," "Big Fish," "Mission: Impossible III," "Watchmen," and "Alien: Covenant." Crudup's versatility and talent have solidified his place as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
July 8, 1968: Billy Crudup is born
On July 8, 1968, William Gaither Crudup, known as Billy Crudup, was born in Manhasset, New York.
1994: Earns MFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Billy Crudup earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1994 from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts graduate acting program at New York University, furthering his acting career.
1996: Begins dating Mary-Louise Parker
Billy Crudup and actress Mary-Louise Parker began their relationship in 1996.
1996: Appears in film "Sleepers"
Billy Crudup began his film career with a role in the 1996 drama "Sleepers."
1997: Stars in "Inventing the Abbotts"
In 1997, Billy Crudup starred in the romantic comedy-drama "Inventing the Abbotts."
1998: Becomes Voice of Mastercard's "Priceless" Campaign
Billy Crudup became the narrator for Mastercard's iconic "Priceless" advertising campaign in 1998.
1998: Portrays Steve Prefontaine in "Without Limits"
Billy Crudup took on the role of the legendary runner and Olympian Steve Prefontaine in the 1998 biographical film "Without Limits."
1999: Voices Ashitaka in "Princess Mononoke"
In 1999, Billy Crudup lent his voice to the English dub of the acclaimed Japanese animated film "Princess Mononoke," portraying the character Ashitaka.
1999: Nominated for Independent Spirit Award
In 1999, Billy Crudup was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his performance in the film "Jesus' Son."
2000: Stars in "Almost Famous"
Billy Crudup rose to prominence in 2000 with his role as Russell Hammond, the lead guitarist of the fictional band Stillwater, in the critically acclaimed film "Almost Famous."
2000: Stars in "Almost Famous"
Billy Crudup's performance as Russell Hammond in the 2000 film "Almost Famous" brought him significant recognition and is considered one of his most memorable roles.
2002: Receives Tony Award Nomination for "The Elephant Man"
Billy Crudup received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play in 2002 for his performance as the title character in the Broadway production of "The Elephant Man."
November 2003: Relationship with Mary-Louise Parker ends
Billy Crudup's relationship with actress Mary-Louise Parker ended in November 2003, while she was pregnant with their son.
2003: Stars in "Big Fish"
In 2003, Billy Crudup starred in the fantasy drama film "Big Fish," directed by Tim Burton.
January 2004: Son William Atticus Parker is born
Billy Crudup's son, William Atticus Parker, was born in January 2004.
September 18, 2005: "The Pillowman" closes on Broadway
The Broadway production of "The Pillowman," in which Billy Crudup played the role of Katurian alongside Jeff Goldblum, closed on September 18, 2005.
2005: Steps down from Mastercard's "Priceless" Campaign
Billy Crudup stopped being the narrator for Mastercard's "Priceless" campaign in 2005.
2005: Billy Crudup's father passes away
In 2005, Thomas Henry Crudup III, Billy Crudup's father, died.
October 2006: Stars in "The Coast of Utopia"
Billy Crudup began his performance as Vissarion Belinsky in the first two parts of Tom Stoppard's play "The Coast of Utopia" at Lincoln Center in October 2006.
2006: Relationship with Claire Danes ends
Billy Crudup and actress Claire Danes ended their relationship in 2006.
2006: Appears in "Mission: Impossible III"
Billy Crudup appeared in the action spy film "Mission: Impossible III" in 2006.
2006: Appears in "The Good Shepherd"
Billy Crudup played the role of British spy Arch Cummings in the 2006 spy film "The Good Shepherd."
May 2007: Concludes run in "The Coast of Utopia"
Billy Crudup concluded his performance in the first two parts of "The Coast of Utopia" at Lincoln Center in May 2007.
2007: Plays lead role in "Dedication"
In 2007, Billy Crudup played the lead role of Henry Roth in the film "Dedication."
2007: Wins Tony Award for "The Coast of Utopia"
In 2007, Billy Crudup won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his portrayal of literary critic Vissarion Belinsky in Tom Stoppard's play "The Coast of Utopia."
2008: Portrays Timothy Geithner in "Too Big to Fail"
Billy Crudup played the role of former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner in the 2011 television film "Too Big to Fail," which depicted the 2008 financial crisis.
2009: Appears in "The Ballad of G.I. Joe"
Billy Crudup made an appearance as Zartan in the 2009 parody video "The Ballad of G.I. Joe" on the comedy website Funny or Die.
2009: Stars in "Watchmen" and "Public Enemies"
In 2009, Billy Crudup starred in two major films: the superhero film "Watchmen," where he played Doctor Manhattan, and the biographical crime drama "Public Enemies."
2010: Stars in off-Broadway play "The Metal Children"
In 2010, Billy Crudup starred in Adam Rapp's off-Broadway play "The Metal Children."
2011: Receives Tony Award Nomination for "Arcadia"
Billy Crudup received a Tony Award nomination for Featured Actor in a Play in 2011 for his performance in the Broadway revival of "Arcadia."
2011: "Too Big to Fail" is released
The television film "Too Big to Fail," in which Billy Crudup portrayed Timothy Geithner, was released in 2011.
August 2013: Co-stars with Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart
Billy Crudup began co-starring with renowned actors Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in Harold Pinter's play "No Man's Land" and "Waiting for Godot" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in August 2013.
March 2014: Concludes run in "No Man's Land" and "Waiting for Godot"
The productions of "No Man's Land" and "Waiting for Godot," featuring Billy Crudup, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart, concluded their run at The Cort Theatre in New York City in March 2014.
2015: Appears in "The Stanford Prison Experiment"
Billy Crudup appeared in the psychological thriller film "The Stanford Prison Experiment" in 2015.
2016: Portrays a role in "Jackie"
In 2016, Billy Crudup was part of the biographical drama film "Jackie," which centered around Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
November 2017: Stars in "Harry Clarke"
Billy Crudup starred in the world premiere of David Cale's one-man play "Harry Clarke" at the Vineyard Theatre in November 2017.
2017: Begins dating Naomi Watts
Billy Crudup began dating Australian actress Naomi Watts in 2017 after they met on the set of the Netflix series "Gypsy."
2017: Stars in "Alien: Covenant"
Billy Crudup starred in the science fiction horror film "Alien: Covenant" in 2017.
2017: Stars in Netflix series "Gypsy"
Billy Crudup starred in the Netflix drama series "Gypsy" in 2017, where he met his future wife, Naomi Watts.
2019: Stars in "The Morning Show"
Billy Crudup began starring in the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show" in 2019, which garnered him critical acclaim and several awards.
2020: Wins Primetime Emmy Award
Billy Crudup won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 for his performance in the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show."
2020: Wins Primetime Emmy Award for "The Morning Show"
Billy Crudup's performance in the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show" earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020.
June 2023: Marries Naomi Watts
Billy Crudup married British actress Naomi Watts in June 2023 in New York City.
June 2023: Marries Naomi Watts in New York City
In June 2023, Billy Crudup married actress Naomi Watts in a ceremony held in New York City.
2023: Wins Critics' Choice Television Award for "The Morning Show"
Billy Crudup won a Critics' Choice Television Award in 2023 for his role in the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show."
2024: Wins Critics' Choice Television Award
In 2024, Billy Crudup received a Critics' Choice Television Award for his role in "The Morning Show."