---
name: "Billy Crudup"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/billy-crudup"
fi1m_id: "billy-crudup"
imdb_id: "nm0001082"
tmdb_id: 8289
wikidata_id: "Q313650"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 July 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-13T21:40:42.472185+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Billy Crudup

## Identity

Billy Crudup

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billy-crudup
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** billy-crudup
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001082
- **TMDB ID:** 8289
- **Wikidata ID:** Q313650
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Crudup, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313650, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001082/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8289

Actor. Born 8 July 1968 in Manhasset, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 July 1968, Manhasset, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1996–present
- **Also known as:** William Crudup, William Gaither Crudup, Μπίλι Κράνταπ
- **Frequently works with:** [Robert De Niro](https://film.one/person/robert-de-niro.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 64 (2), 2000s 72 (5), 2010s 74 (3), 2020s 64 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 66 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, History 3, Thriller 3, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Crime 2
- **Screen time:** 24 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,412m across 10 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Crudup, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313650, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001082/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8289

## Coming up

- *The Auction* (2027-08-01), as Scuba Diver #1

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*Almost Famous*](https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Big Fish*](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md) (78)
- **Paramount+:** [*Mission: Impossible III*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md) (70)
- **Netflix:** [*Jay Kelly*](https://film.one/film/jay-kelly.md) (64)
- **Peacock:** [*Alien: Covenant*](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md) (57)
- **Tubi:** [*Sleepers*](https://film.one/film/sleepers.md) (57)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Billy Crudup

> Billy Crudup makes persuasive company of people whose judgement we should question. We value the charm and uncertainty he brings to supporting roles, though the films around him can be too ready to forgive the men he plays.

In *Almost Famous* (2000), Billy Crudup makes it easy to understand why a boy would want to spend time with Russell Hammond. The guitarist's appeal is essential to Cameron Crowe's film: William's fascination has to seem reasonable, even when the adults give us cause to object. We warmed to Russell despite ourselves, because Crudup makes William's enthusiasm feel justified rather than merely naive. There is a danger in being this persuasive. Crowe sometimes lets the audience's affection for these people excuse behaviour that deserves a harder look.

That breakthrough did not lead to a career built chiefly around leading parts. Supporting film roles continued alongside stage work, with Will Bloom in Tim Burton's *Big Fish* (2003) and Eric Macleish in *Spotlight* (2015) among the screen parts. He is often cast among ensembles as a man whose motives are difficult to read. Wider recognition came with *The Morning Show* (2019–), as the shrewd network executive Cory Ellison. The part puts his unpredictability to practical use: an executive who keeps others guessing has an advantage.

In Noah Baumbach's *Jay Kelly* (2025), Timothy has the less comfortable job of bringing a grievance to a film star. He is an old acquaintance, and their encounter leaves Jay rattled before his journey to a tribute in Tuscany. Crudup's place in the story matters because Timothy has a complaint about a man the film is inclined to like. Baumbach's warmth is appealing, but his fondness for Jay limits how hard the film looks at him. Timothy gives us a reason to question that fondness, without making this a more searching film than it is.

Crowe gives Crudup the stronger film, and a useful counterweight in Frances McDormand's Elaine Miller. Her firmness helps the audience resist a company of musicians it has good reason to enjoy, including Russell. Crudup does enough to make the boy's attraction understandable without making Elaine seem unreasonable. Start with *Almost Famous*, but give Elaine a fair hearing.

## Biography

Billy Crudup is an American actor. Born on 8 July 1968 in Manhasset, New York, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received an MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1994.

He made his Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard’s *Arcadia* and won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Stoppard’s *The Coast of Utopia* in 2007. Film credits include Russell Hammond in *Almost Famous* (2000), Will Bloom in *Big Fish* (2003), Jon Osterman / Dr. Manhattan in *Watchmen* (2009), Eric Macleish in *Spotlight* (2015) and roles in *Mission: Impossible III* (2006), *Public Enemies* (2009) and *Alien: Covenant* (2017). He plays Timothy in the 2025 film *Jay Kelly*.

On television he portrays Cory Ellison in the series *The Morning Show* (2019–), earning two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, gq.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Jay Kelly* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Timothy — [page](https://film.one/film/jay-kelly.md)
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), Fi1m 57, as Oram — [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *Jackie* (2016), Fi1m 80, as The Journalist — [page](https://film.one/film/jackie.md)
- *Spotlight* (2015), Fi1m 85, as Eric Macleish — [page](https://film.one/film/spotlight.md)
- *Public Enemies* (2009), Fi1m 64, as J. Edgar Hoover — [page](https://film.one/film/public-enemies.md)
- *Mission: Impossible III* (2006), Fi1m 70, as Musgrave — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md)
- *The Good Shepherd* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Archibald Cummings — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md)
- *Big Fish* (2003), Fi1m 78, as Will Bloom — [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *Almost Famous* (2000), Fi1m 82, as Russell Hammond — [page](https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md)
- *Everyone Says I Love You* (1996), Fi1m 72, as Ken — [page](https://film.one/film/everyone-says-i-love-you.md)
- *Sleepers* (1996), Fi1m 57, as Tommy — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepers.md)

## Complete filmography (51)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Auction* (2027), as Scuba Diver #1
- *Jay Kelly* (2025), as Timothy — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/jay-kelly.md)
- *Hello Tomorrow!* (2023), series, as Jack Billings · Executive Producer
- *The Last Movie Stars* (2022), series, as James Goldstone (voice)
- *Zack Snyder's Justice League* (2021), as Henry Allen (uncredited)
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Cory Ellison
- *Where'd You Go, Bernadette* (2019), as Elgie
- *After the Wedding* (2019), as Oscar
- *Justice League* (2017), as Henry Allen (uncredited) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/justice-league.md)
- *Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Phobos* (2017), as Oram
- *Gypsy* (2017), series, as Michael Holloway
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), as Oram — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *Alien: Covenant – Crew Messages* (2017), as Oram
- *1 Mile To You* (2017), as Coach K
- *Youth in Oregon* (2017), as Brian Gleason
- *20th Century Women* (2016), as William
- *Jackie* (2016), as The Journalist — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jackie.md)
- *Spotlight* (2015), as Eric Macleish — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/spotlight.md)
- *The Stanford Prison Experiment* (2015), as Dr. Philip Zimbardo
- *Take Care* (2014), Thanks
- *Rudderless* (2014), as Sam Manning
- *The Longest Week* (2014), as Dylan Tate
- *Glass Chin* (2014), as J.J. Cook
- *Blood Ties* (2013), as Frank
- *The Watch* (2012), as Neighbor
- *Thin Ice* (2012), as Randy
- *Too Big to Fail* (2011), as Timothy Geithner
- *Eat Pray Love* (2010), as Steven
- *Warren the Ape* (2010), series, Actor
- *The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics* (2009), Actor
- *Public Enemies* (2009), as J. Edgar Hoover — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/public-enemies.md)
- *Watchmen* (2009), as Jon Osterman / Dr. Manhattan
- *Pretty Bird* (2008), as Curtis Prentiss
- *Dedication* (2007), as Henry Roth
- *The Good Shepherd* (2006), as Archibald Cummings — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md)
- *Mission: Impossible III* (2006), as Musgrave — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md)
- *Trust the Man* (2005), as Tobey
- *Stage Beauty* (2004), as Ned Kynaston
- *Big Fish* (2003), as Will Bloom — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *World Traveler* (2002), as Cal
- *Charlotte Gray* (2001), as Julien Levade
- *Almost Famous* (2000), as Russell Hammond — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md)
- *Jesus' Son* (2000), as FH
- *Waking the Dead* (2000), as Fielding Pierce
- *The Hi-Lo Country* (1998), as Pete Calder
- *Monument Ave.* (1998), as Teddy
- *Without Limits* (1998), as Steve Prefontaine
- *Grind* (1997), as Eddie
- *Inventing the Abbotts* (1997), as Jacey Holt
- *Everyone Says I Love You* (1996), as Ken — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/everyone-says-i-love-you.md)
- *Sleepers* (1996), as Tommy — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepers.md)

## Gallery

- ![Actor Billy Crudup at a September 24, 2013 press junket at Sardi's restaurant in Manhattan's theater district for the Broadway shows Waiting for Godot and No Ma](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-abadfe3f7123.jpg) Actor Billy Crudup at a September 24, 2013 press junket at Sardi's restaurant in Manhattan's theater district for the Broadway shows Waiting for Godot and No Ma — Luigi Novi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/9.24.13WaitingForGodot-NoMansLandPressJunketByLuigiNovi19.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Billy Crudup](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-62a7910852ec.jpg) Billy Crudup — Raph_PH, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Billy_Crudup.jpg/1280px-Billy_Crudup.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of The Watchmen, Almost Famous, and soon Alien: Covenant. Sept '16 NYC (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-a1fe0881ce13.jpg) Star of The Watchmen, Almost Famous, and soon Alien: Covenant. Sept '16 NYC (2016) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Billy_Crudup_%2829692170722%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Billy Crudup, actor, at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-38e8a552e6f5.jpg) Billy Crudup, actor, at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Billy_Crudup_Jay_Kelly-08.jpg/1280px-Billy_Crudup_Jay_Kelly-08.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Billy Crudup](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-607f623c6233.jpg) Billy Crudup — Image via TMDB
- ![Billy Crudup](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-79b7d101c09c.jpg) Billy Crudup — Image via TMDB
- ![Billy Crudup](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-f34de022ba74.jpg) Billy Crudup — Image via TMDB
- ![Billy Crudup, actor, at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly](https://film.one/media/person/7597/gallery-5aa7e4f6e482.jpg) Billy Crudup, actor, at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Billy_Crudup_Jay_Kelly-10.jpg/1280px-Billy_Crudup_Jay_Kelly-10.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2020: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *The Morning Show*

### Other awards — 3 won, 3 nominated

- Critics' Choice Awards 2024: Best Drama Supporting Actor (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 2011: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 2007: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2005: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2002: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1995: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/billy-crudup