Crudup wants to remain anonymous off screen

Hollywood actor Billy Crudup is keen to remain an enigma off screen - and has little interest in becoming a target for journalists.

The Stage Beauty star, 36, believes the best actors are those who manage to keep their private lives out of the media glare - because it makes their screen performance more credible.

Crudup says: "I want everything I'm in to be wildly successful, but I don't think that means I want everybody to know anything about me.

"The entire Hollywood publicity machine was built on 'whatever it takes to get our people out there' but, for me, I've had incredible opportunities to be able to play the roles I want to play, and make a living, so why do I need to pursue that?

"I'm not sure what it serves. I mean, what do you know about Robert De Niro?

"The best actors are the actors we don't know anything about. If people know lots about me, then it becomes difficult for me to do my job of telling people I am someone else."