From left, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Sarah Paulson. (Getty)
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has become an unlikely heartthrob in America. He’s crossed the pond and taken on roles in a myriad of films, two of which were represented at the Academy Awards. Here’s what you need to know about the Oscars presenter who photobombed U2 on the red carpet.
Well Benedict Cumberbatch just won the #Oscars. Best photobomb ever? (via @ANCALERTS) pic.twitter.com/GU9ixte6Ah
— Total Film (@totalfilm) March 3, 2014
1. He Was in 5 Major Films in 2013
(Facebook)
Since May, he’s appeared in five major films, including 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County, The Fifth Estate, Star Trek Into Darkness, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
In an interview with the big issue, he talked about his busy year:
Should I be worried about over-exposure? No, here is all the work I’ve been doing, I guess. I had a really busy year last year and the beginning of this year, and all of them are coming home to roost at about the same time, which is extraordinary.
Although last year was very successful, he has new goals for this year.
He told USA Today:
You can’t get too nostalgic. You can look back and go, ‘That was a great year, a great moment,’ but I want 2014 to be better for different reasons. I’ve got personal goals and all sorts of things that I want to evolve. I always have been about building a career of longevity.
Although there are some who still don’t know his name, he certainly got himself noticed at the 2014 Oscars.
Besides photobombing U2, he graced the stage as a presenter alongside Jennifer Garner. He even got a selfie with host Ellen DeGeneres and his 12 Years a Slave costar, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
I really need this selfie @TheEllenShow please,please,please #BenedictCumberbatch #Oscar2014 #Cumberbomb #OscarBatch pic.twitter.com/cleHzMHOIx
— Lupita's Oscar (@fandomsaddicted) March 4, 2014
2. He Doesn’t Understand Why He’s a Sex Symbol
Cumberbatch and Julia Roberts (Getty)
Cumberbatch has women swooning, and the actor is taken aback by all the attention.
He told The Mirror:
Do I like being thought of as attractive? I don’t know anyone on Earth who doesn’t, but I do find it funny. I look in a mirror and I see all the faults I’ve lived with for 35 years and yet people go kind of nuts for certain things about me. It’s not me being humble. I just think it’s weird.
Fashion Style even created an entire gallery of all his girlfriends over the years.
According to moviefone, Cumberbatch began dating actress Olivia Poulet after meeting her at the University of Manchester. They were together for 12 years, but have since split and the he is now single.
3. His Fans ‘Cumberb**tches’ Have a Twitter Handle & Facebook Page
(Twitter)
The actor doesn’t particularly like the name his fans have adopted. In fact, he told In Style, that he had another suggestion for them:
It’s flattering, though I worry about what it says for feminism, it’s quite a pejorative term… Cumberbabes might be better.
The Twitter account has 127,000 followers and pays homage to the actor in any way possible.
Benedict at the Oscars this Sunday you say? In a sexy suit you say? YES PLEASE THANK YOU AMEN.
— Benedict Cumberbatch (@Cumberbitches) February 28, 2014
Their Facebook fan page is a closed group with over 2,000 members, and describes itself in this way:
We understand how you feel about Benedict. You are not alone! Please note that we do have members of all ages, and from all over the world, so please keep your posting classy.
Naomi Roper, owner and creator of the benedictcumberbatch.co.uk fan site told the Daily Beast about his appeal:
He very much comes across as a quintessential gentleman in the way that other actors don’t exactly. His innate Britishness appeals to people.
4. His Parents Starred with Him in ‘Sherlock’
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Cumberbatch has the lead role in the BBC series Sherlock, which premiered in 2010, boosting his career.
His real-life parents played his parents on the program, which is a modern take on the detective story, set in early 21st century London. He is the son of English actor Timothy Carlton and actress Wanda Ventham.
He told USA Today about filming with his parents:
It was a beautiful thing. … It was the first day of shooting and I was nervous for them. And then I realized, now I really have to take control of this, and I just started to kind of make sure that they felt all right. And they ended up having a really good day.
The actor does recognize that the iconic detective he plays has a lot to do with the praise he’s been enjoying.
He explained to Entertainment Weekly that he loves the fact that fans are “committed to something I really love doing and a character that I like playing and other characters as well.”
5. ‘Tatler’ Ranked Him on Their ‘Most Fascinating People in Britain’ List
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The magazine has him at 109 on the list, beating out Adele, Liam Payne, and Emma Watson.
According to the Mirror, the actor still calls North London home, even thought he is required to stay in L.A. while filming certain films.
When asked about his time in California, he said,
“I’ve had a fantastic time and I’ve made some fantastic new friends.”
However, he was sure to add,
“My home’s in London and my family and friends are all there.”
The life of an A-list actor does come with frequent moves, but Cumberbatch doesn’t seem to mind. He said:
But I’m a nomad at the moment with no dependants, so I’m quite happy to pack a suitcase and travel wherever I’m asked to go.
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Benedict Cumberbatch, Oscars Presenter: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know