I don’t know about you, but I get slightly offended on Benedict Cumberbatch’s behalf when journalists actually say something derogatory about his looks to his face. I mean, we can talk about his lack of a chin or his otter-like pelt and facial structure amongst ourselves, but none of us would go up to Benedict and be like, “You’re not attractive enough to be a leading man!” While he might not have the “pretty boy” attractiveness so many male actors have, Benedict IS attractive, just in an unusual way.
Anyway, that was sort of an awkward segue because it’s not even like the dude hosting “A Conversation… with Benedict Cumberbatch” last week even said anything like “you’re not even hot” to Benedict. The host asked Benedict about how he actually has a timeless look, like Benedict could have easily been a posh actor in the films of the 1930s and 1940s. Benedict then goes off on a wonderful tangent about his looks:
“It’s the blessing of having a weird face — somewhere between an otter and something people find vaguely attractive. Or just an otter, which is attractive. I have grown up with this face and it has been in the industry for ten years and now it’s getting on these ‘hotties’ lists. .. and I was nowhere near the thousandth hottest when I started…so I’m sure it’s just projection, which is flattering for the work, I suppose. I started out not a typical beauty…I have a long neck and a long face, that is usually period. That is some kind of inbreeding weirdness… so I will run with that… I can wear some high collars and get a horse or two. I’m fine with that. But not all the time. Sometimes I’ll just get a collar in the 21st century drama and turn it up, as you’ll notice I did in Sherlock.”
Exactly. Benedict is so self-aware and self-deprecating. He does have that posh, inbred look of the British aristocracy. He would be “the hot prince” in the royal family, or the well-coiffed second son of a duke or earl. That’s his look. And if his general appearance isn’t enough for you, we’ve always got his velvety voice. Here’s the video of this OTTER REALNESS.
UPDATE: THR released the full video of the “Conversation”.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Sorry. I don’t get it. I wanna change the channel on his gumby face every single time! He’s got a great voice tho.
Maybe now I should admit I had a crush on gumby when I was young haha, so maybe I do get it now that I think about it. 🙂
Watch Sherlock, it’s his character’s intellect that really turns a lot of cranks.
For me, it wasn’t until I saw him in Star Trek Into Darkness, then 12 Years a Slave. His talent *makes* him attractive to me.
Yes – to me Cumberbatch has only been truly attractive in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Star Trek Into Darkness. And it’s not because of his intrinsic looks, either – in TTSS it’s his overarching self-confidence (and later his unmasked vulnerability) and in ST it’s his overarching confidence and basic menacing attitude. Which, I guess, are all “acting tricks,” as Jenna Maroney used to say.
And thank you, Kaiser, for codifying his appearance: “posh, inbred looks.” That’s exactly right. He embodies that whole upper class twit, Oxbridge, RP accent thing beautifully (although not always in an obviously attractive way).
You feel this way because it is true – he is not attractive strictly speaking. I don’t care that Sherlock’s fans tell me to watch Sherlock to understand – he is not Sherlock! There are actors who are attractive outside of their roles and he is not of them. People here keep banging on about him in Sherlock but if there was no actual character, written and created by others, executed by the actor, he’d be Benedict. And as Benedict he is not particularly attractive. Although I find him sweet and charming.
Please tell me what is unattractive about this?
http://cumberbatchcoffeeklatch.tumblr.com/post/76957886351/justbeingbenedictcumberbatch-awwwwwwww
There is nothing weird, inbred or ordinary about him.
Poor bb missed the BAFTAs last night and is apparently going to miss his performance for the royals today due to being snowed in at the airport in NYC (at least according to tweets regarding why he wasn’t at the BAFTAS last night). Guess that’ll teach him to dilly dally in NYC when he has a tight schedule? Either way, bummer he missed two huge events (presenting at BAFTAs and taking part in that performance for the royals).
Apparently there was some other tweet that said he was still in the states for “work related” things? Saw it on the IMDB board when I was looking to see if he was going to show at the BAFTAs. I figure snowed-in is probably very likely, though!
Olivia Poulet was in New York too, during the Bafta awards. (Not sure how long she was there for). Some of her friends were tweeting her places to see around NY so who knows, maybe they crossed paths and decided to do something spontaneous!!
It would be nice but doubtful. In her last interview where he was brought up, she was very respectful of the fact she has a new boyfriend and while she adores Benedict, she does not feel necessary to talk about a relationship that ended in 2011. She spoke very highly of him but you could tell the relationship is something that belongs in the past.
@Shiv: Beat me to the punch lol. Their relationship was so up and down ,according to mutual interviews, that it seems like they’re really just dear friends now.
Someone asked one of the employees at the BAFTA event where BC was and they told them it was due to the weather and his inability to get out of NYC in time, but who knows really. I tend to think it was that rather than sudden work in the states since the performance for the royals and the BAFTA presenting gig were on his schedule for at least a few weeks before he came stateside and it was publicized he’d be at both, confirmed by his PR.
@Shiv
I don’t believe that at all. I highly doubt they are not still friends. They spent 12 years together and broke up amicably. There’s absolutely no reason why their friendship should “belong in the past”. I don’t believe for one second that they would avoid each other in NY — new boyfriend or not (and we don’t know if she has one anyway, just because she had one many months ago — unless he was mentioned in her tweets). In fact, if she was alone in NY I believe 100% they would hook up (I don’t mean sleep together — I mean platonically).
In any case, Benedict doesn’t seem to be able to sit still in the same place for any amount of time. He’s squeezing in non-essential trips from coast to coast and from country to country in between other other trips. Sorry, fashion shows and parties aren’t what I consider essential for a person who claims he can’t get any sleep because of “work”.
According to some on IMDB, his absence wasn’t weather related and that he must have changed his plans. Also, Alice Eve was supposedly seen with him in NYC over the weekend. I think they were both supposed to be at the BAFTAs so that is kind of, um, interesting.
@Maureen: I think Shiv meant only the romantic aspect of their relationship — not the whole relationship. Both admit to being friends now.
OMG lets enumerate every woman he’s ever been connected to and see if they are also currently in NYC, along with the other 20 million people in the area…LOL
@LadySlippers
It’s okay, you don’t need explain to me what @Shiv meant. I understand what she meant and I wasn’t disagreeing with her or telling her that I think she’s wrong. I was commenting on the notion that O and B wouldn’t have gotten together in NY because she’s “moved on”. I’m only saying that I think they likely have salvaged a pretty decent friendship and that meeting up for coffee in a really cool city would not be out of the question. That is all, that is all.
As for Alice Eve … oy vey, let’s not get me started.
The thing about her for me is that before I really knew her, I saw her in She’s Out of My League because E! was rerunning it 6 times and she never stood out to me. I’m sure she has good connections with her family and being friends with BC but I don’t get why she would want to stay in LA when she looks so common by LA standards and they only notice her body. She stood out for me more in Starter for 10.
Well, I heard at the BAFTA tea party that she did sign autographs so maybe on a good day she is nice.
@maureen
Totally agree with you about them still having a good relationship. But she also might not meet up with him out of respect for her new relationship. I’m good friends with all my ex’s but there is one that my husband really does not like. He would never tell me to not see him, I don’t because I know how much it would bother him. I know she is just dating this new guy, but it’s probably extra tough for him since her ex has such a public presence. Just my two cents!!
And I thought BC was a hamster looking weirdo till I saw (and heard him!) on Star Trek. I’d never cheat on my hot hubby, but I might kidnap BC and chain him to my raidiator and make him read erotic poetry while I get nasty with my Mr.
@Maureen: That’s what I meant by dallying, lol, the non essential trips… Totally cool, take a vacation, spend some time off, get relaxed, but when you have a TON of stuff coming up, isn’t it better to, you know, prepare for it and be available? Or at least rest for a day or so before another transatlantic trip? Well, he’ll do him but I agree–I don’t consider fashion shows “work”, at least not the way an industry party would be “work” (networking,e tc). Unless BC’s decided he’s getting into the fashion industry in 2014 or something.
Firstly, Alice Eve was not in NYC this weekend and secondly she was never on the guesttlist for the BAFTAS. I honestly don’t know where this rubbish that gets pedalled online comes from. One person just speculates (or lies) and the rest of the web just runs with it as fact without even questioning it.
@Becks: There seems to be a spate of people trying to make BC/random actress happen. Someone was posting all over Data Lounge a while back that he was being seen with Birgitte Sorensen (who was in Coriolanus)…which supposedly happened in London but he was in LA at the time. If he’d been seen with Alice Eve, she’d have had pics on Instagram in a hot second. Pure fan speculation and wistful thinking.
Alice replied to people on Instagram that she was going to be in New York last week and then in London for the weekend. I think some of the speculation stems from the fact that BC was just in LA for so long and that she lives there. They also think it might be legitimate because she has been somewhat cryptic with her instagram as opposed to blatantly fanning the flames of suspicion as in the past. If they were really together she would have to tone it down since he’s so private.
Her attending the BAFTA specualtion apparently came from an article about red carpet trends in hairstyles for women. Some stylist was talking about how he was going to do her hair. I didn’t read it myself.
@Becks You know for a fact she wasn’t in New York this weekend? Is she in London now? Who leaves LA for London in February?
The article you’re talking about is with Charles Worthington.
He was talking about hair he’s styled over the years for BAFTA. It didn’t say she was attending this year.
As for him being in LA. Well..it’s a huge industry town. Probably the biggest in the world and he knows countless of people who live there. Why would he necessarily be seeing her while he was there?
As for her instagram, I’ve never been able to stick out looking at her page for too long. The self obsession is just far too irritating. One thing I did see was her delightful and gracious reply to a fan asking “when are you going to make another movie?”
Her response?… “When I feel like it”. Charming.
I’ve never liked her, I’m afraid. There are several reasons I don’t thinks she’s warm or likeable and I know for a fact that her father is a truly nasty piece of work. Not her responsibility, I know, but makes me wonder how similar she may be to him.
Oh dear. Alice Eve rumours again…
Becks, you’re not alone. I’ve never warmed to her, she comes across as extremely aloof in interviews (especially when interviewed alone and she has no one to bounce off), I just get the impression if you can’t help her raise her profile, you’re no use, plus her Oirish accent in SATC2 was horrific.
+1 to everything @Becks said re: Alice Eve. No one will ever, ever convince me that she is a warm, kind person. BC’s fangirls want to believe she is because she’s friends with him, and we know that who we choose as friends is often a reflection upon our own selves (not 100% of the time, but often). His fangirls don’t want to believe he would have a long-standing friendship — including (possibly) even casual sex — with a woman who is an attention-seeking, elitist snob who says things like “when I want to” in answer to an innocent question on Twitter.
The only thing that annoys me more than her manner in interviews are her replies. I’ll never get over what she said in the summer when asked if she was a geek or a nerd.
Apparently she’s a female nerd which involves being an expert on “clothes, shoes and lipstick”. That’s how you qualify, ladies.
So now you know.
I dunno about Alice Eve. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d hooked up (or still do occasionally hook up), but how would they be able to maintain an actual ~relationship if she’s living in LA and he’s still claiming London as home? I realize people travel all of the time, and he’s in LA for this and that, but… well, who knows. I guess it’s speculation about speculation at this point. For some reason, though… I dunno. I would absolutely NOT be surprised if they were/are in a relationship.
She’s not much my cup of tea, but she doesn’t really offend me either. Kind of… bland? But very pretty.
Here’s a brutally honest theory that I have about Alice and Benedict. I don’t really think she gave him the time of day romantically because Benedict waxes quite lyrically about being funny looking. My guess is back in the day, she (and prob others) made it quite clear that she was WAY outa his league which is why he says what he does. So he might have been open to ‘something’ but I don’t think it was reciprocated until possibly his market value went up.
Now? No idea but I don’t think they have a past due to his long term relationship with OP and how ‘funny’ looking people thought/think he was/is. She seems to project a fierce ‘I’m better than you people’ vibe…
Sorry, I know I’m not often seen being mean….
Please note — this is just an opinion on my part. Totally concede I could be wrong.
I can’t find any actual source that says Alice and Benedict were together this week. She made a comment a week ago that she’d be there at this time. Someone must have read too much into that and everyone else ran with it. It’s likely that Alice and Olivia were in NY for a stopover or short visit, but let’s be real. He didn’t cancel two incredibly high profile events just to slum around in NYC with them. That’s not his way.
And yes, Alice Eve rubs me the wrong way too. I don’t get the fans who think they’d be a perfect couple. She seems totally unsuited for him unless he wants someone who’s stuck up herself and he doesn’t mind having terrible in-laws.
Yep, just meant the relationship part. I 100% believe they are friends and have a high level of respect for one another. I was just trying to rubbish the idea that there was more to it just because she was in NYC the same time he was.
As for Alice Eve – Gads! I could imagine her thinking she was too good for our Cumby. They were seen together in NY??
That’s a rumor… There seems to be nada online and you KNOW there would be pap shots or at least more than one person saying something and playing telephone with it.
Besides, with the way she made SURE to be seen with him when he was having that huge summer in LA and her carefully chosen/edited pics from Glastonbury (making sure to leave out the others in their group for the most part), IMHO she’d be making a big deal about being in NYC even if it was just to have coffee w/him. But that is my opinion and not based on anything other than the impressions I have of her from interviews and her public statements and actions.
I actually hate the idea of them together. She seems so, I hate to be so harsh…but arrogant. Hopefully it is just a rumour.
There definitely would be photos online so who knows. By even posting dates when she will be in the same place he is she’s kind of courting speculation. It really doesn’t seem like she has a whole lot happening career wise. So she has a lot of time on her hands. She was angling pretty hard during STID press, calling him during the HuffPo interview, and the “Do I want to lick him?” interview with Pegg. Then all the Glastonbury stuff, posting pictures of him up until the day he went to Ibiza. We all know how that turned out. She dated a polo player briefly in the summer, lots of photos, now removed. She doesn’t deem to date people for very long though. I wonder why that is. She told an interviewer she had difficulty finding a partner because of her “very high sex drive”.
I guess my biggest issue is how she chooses to present herself. Like, in interviews how she dresses and acts. Leaning across the desk for a reaction on Craig Ferguson and talking about aliens and how her brothers are Cumberbitches on Jimmy Kimmel, she just seems so much in need of attention. It has to be an act, she did go to Oxford. Of course W went to Yale and Harvard. I don’t know. She just comes across as someone who knows she probably has a limited shelf life, especially in LA . She might be in search of something that could change this for her.
People have said that BC will end up with someone he has known from before he was famous, and that he is dubious about what women want from him. I just hope he’s cautious.
@Green Earrings: After Ibiza-gate, he’d be smart to be SUPER cautious about who he dates, or at least is tied to publicly. With as much as he travels and openly says he’s workaholic and single. I doubt he’d have time for AE’s neediness.
@MissMary: This is, of course, only my opinion on all of these things.
And I do agree with you about Ibiza-gate.
He is a big boy and will certainly do as he pleases.
What I think is interesting about the “he will end up with someone he knew before he was famous” shtick… is how it sort of flies in the face of what he’s going for, right? He wants someone who will see him for WHO he is, not WHAT he can bring to the table (I gather), and will WANT him for WHO he is. Women who knew him pre-fame and didn’t have much interest in him, but now that he’s got Cumberbitches and Jag commercials- let’s talk? Or, of course, complicating all of this, is the fact that he was pretty much partnered up until he hit fame, so I guess we don’t really KNOW if anyone was or wasn’t interested in him, since, well… he wasn’t on the market until he started to take off?
And I think he’s stopped answering that “are you single” questions…
I think because it’s an annoying question and he will probably swiftly say “I am seeing someone but I’m keeping that private”
@Felice: Agreed. It’s most likely his PR has said he won’t answer questions about his personal life.
I think whether he’s single or not, it’s simply easier to answer the question that way. If he declines to respond enough times they may eventually stop asking him.
As for who he ends up with, who can say? The only thing I feel sure of is that it probably won’t be a vapid model type (they’re for sowing the oats) and it will probably be someone who doesn’t mind having her life revolve around his career.
Your observations and commentary are spot-on, Kaiser. And I love Cumby just the way he is. I wouldn’t change a thing.
That was a wonderful “conversation” and a great way to spend an hour just listening to and watching Benedict waffle on about his craft. He is so intelligent and articulate and obviously loves his job.
He has set the bar high for this new series of interviews.
I agree, Maggie. I like watching and listening to him talk, especially about something he loves.
Aw. His face doesn’t bug me at all. It’s not pretty, but it seems normal to me.
He’s totally normal, you’re right. I still don’t understand why his face is comment-worthy. I suppose it’s because of his environment: most people in his field are good-looking in maybe more “classic” ways, so I suppose in that context he stands out. But he’s been an actor for over 15 years. I just don’t get why people can’t wrap their heads around the fact that in the acting business there are so many types of faces.
I don’t think he’s ugly at all. Just plain. He’s not goodlooking either. People exaggerate the alien thing a bit much. He’s not inbred looking (like Matt Smith, good lord).
Anyway, I think he’s adorable.
*sigh*
Don’t care if he’s an otter, an alien, inbred or outdated. I LOVE him. My husband understands very clearly that he would be expected to leave our home for the duration, if my Ben ever shows up in this neck of the woods. *swoon*
Benedict is an absolutely wonderful looking man; not generic in anyway. Very mesmerising.
I remember when I first seen Sherlock (I had only ever seen his name before as I loved the South Pacific series he narrated), I fell for him and became a Cumberslut instantly.
Did anyone see the twitter meltdown last night – Cumberbatch missing from Bafta’s! Too funny. Poor man was wrapped up in NYC working away.
I don’t get why were they melting down? He wasn’t nominated or presenting as far as I know so if he had the offer of meetings/work of course any actor will take that. There was plenty of suit p*rn from the last 2 weeks to get them through 😀
Will there be a repeat if he’s not at the Oscars? *shock horror*
I think it was just because the Telegraph ran an article saying he was presenting and then the papers published a picture of where the stars would be sitting and his face was there, in front of Emma Thompson, so some of them expected him to be there.
I don’t see him going to the Oscars but I’m sure they some will sit and panic when he doesn’t appear.
By the way, I have honestly not saved any of the recent suit porn to my iPhone. Absolutely not.
Oh he will go to the Oscars won’t miss his opportunity to schmooze unless it’s a snow storm in London and forget it, as here 1 inch of snow the airports close. I hear he is more handsome in person.
Your probably right. He is such a tart. He’ll likely be an hour late so we wont see him on the red carpet and then he’ll proceed to point that finger everywhere, dance like a drunk uncle and make us fall in love with him even more.
Well, if he doesn’t go to the Oscars ceremony, he’ll probably make an appearance at an afterparty or 2… or 3? You know Cumby comes to dance!
So honest so true…I beginnin to love (him)
I can’t help but love his sense of humour and self deprecation. It’s so very attractive.
Yes!
I agree, @Lindy
I love how he AGREES with everyone about his looks and then explains that it really works for him in his particular line of work. He makes just an honest, non-offended, mature and rational case for his own looks. He shouldn’t HAVE to do that, but he does it.
He seems to be fairly confident in himself–not in a stuck up “I know I’m hot” way but in a secure about his talent and ability and knows he’s not the hottest guy on earth but also knows what works for him. He accepts himself as-is, or seems to, which is refreshing.
You know what all these discussions about his looks and hotness never seem to get?
The role that personality and intelligence plays in attraction. When I was I my 20’s, pre-kid, I was fairly good-looking (sorry, I feel awkward talking about my looks), and I was asked out by some very hot dudes. All if whom lasted one date because by the end of the night I was bored out of my mind and eager to get home to the book I’d been reading.
My friends all thought I was crazy because, once I’d figured out there was nothing there, I just wasn’t attracted to these guys again and didn’t want to date them.
And that’s what’s missing, for me, when interviewers start going on about his looks, or the current hottie of the moment. The realization that attraction is far more than a symmetrical face and nice shoulders. And that BC is attractive to a lot of women not just for looks but for things like intelligence, sense of humor, etc.
I also find those conversations insulting to women, but that’s another feminist rant 🙂
Well said… personality and charm are far more important than good looks… looks fade away with time… but the personality remains..
I think it’s because, stereotypically, people can’t look past physicality. We put physical beauty (especially Hollywood) on such a pedestal that anything else confounds us.
I do think Benedict is good looking and, unlike others, it wasn’t Sherlock that did it for me. But the fact that he’s smart, articulate, and a gentleman that keeps me interested.
I agree. LadySlippers. It’s not just looks; it’s the whole person. He’s intelligent, well-spoken, and has a good sense of humor. He’s not afraid to laugh at himself either.
100% agree. The physical appearance of someone changes depending on your attraction to the mental/emotional/intellectual side. My first introduction to Ben was the War Horse interview he did with…another guy. Then in other interviews he let his personality unleash and that warped sense of humor come out and I was hooked. I wouldn’t have called him good looking when I first saw him on TV but now, I think he is striking.
I have a new found admiration for otters too, given they seem to have some affiliation with Ben now and INTENTIONALLY set out to mimic him!!
@ Secret Squirrel – Otters obviously – I’ve always adored Otters and now I know why, they are all scurrying about trying to be Benedict – bless their little whiskers – can’t think why I missed it…
Hmmmmm… Perhaps we should put a lake in our garden eh? And a corral too??? Gotta be seen as both a horse- and an otter-friendly garden.
😉
And there was another guy in War Horse?!????
😉
Oh, the other guy in War Horse, He, who shall not be mentioned in Ben’s posts… They’re both so adorably geeks… 😉
LadySlippers, I am on board with the addition of a lake and a corral to our garden! If nothing else, it will give me more places to hang out when the conversation starts to veer out of control as it sometimes does on threads about Benny and The Other Guy.
And what’s not to love about otters? They are completely adorable!
If we are going to have a lake, then we must have poetry-loving ducks too!!
I think the word “garden” doesn’t really describe the place we call home anymore. Its a full blown Thornfield estate now!
I know I’m late – went to bed BUT just want to suggest a fish farm while we are at it with the outdoor improvements – and then he can visit – and then, and then – sorry, have to go and have a little lie down for five minutes…
Hear hear!
Very much agree, esp with the feminist bits.
Also, Ben s rather more than ‘just attractive’ in my books. He’s pretty damn gorgeous and oozes talent, charm, wit, intelligence. Definitely the whole package. But, that’s me objectifying him and in the spirit of not resorting to reverse sexism, maybe I should stop there 😀
I absolutely agree, Dena. His humor & personality are what got my attention first. Now I adore all of him!
I suppose this is just me but I am much more attracted to a good personality than movie star good looks. Intelligence, charm, humor, BC seems to have it all. And I love British accents. I won’t go into the long list of ridiculous men I’ve had crushes on which sadly includes Basil Rathbone (THE Sherlock) but as I’m also particularly fond of otters, perhaps that explains all.
He didn’t sound like he was all that offended, guys are different I guess. Having said that, I think he should let the curls grow back out.
Thank god the inbreeding didn’t give him a Hapsburg Jaw. (Anybody remember that episode if 30 Rock with the inbred Austrian prince played by PeeWee Herman?)
But I love my Cumby, alien-cat and all.
HAHA!
We would all be fighting to be his Jenna Maroney and hold his teeny tiny hand.
I just came back from a 30 Rock YouTube-hole. “Thank you all dear friends FOR COMING TO MY BIRTHDAY.”
Now I’m killing myself thinking of Cumby in the role of an inbred Austrian prince with a tiny hand.
One of the best 30 Rock episodes ever! LMAO.
I love him.
Otterly delightful (THERE I SAID IT)
+1 *snicker*
Hahaha, I love it!!
*claps*
ah yes aristocratic inbreeding… it´s kind of funny that a zoo kills a little giraffe because of inbreeding while the Future King of Great Britain is his own cousin.
🙂 funny
Not the baby giraffe part, obviously, that’s sad
So much discussion about his looks… I wish people would focus on how intelligent, thoughtful and talented he is.
I don’t mind the otter comparisons, though… they are one of my favorite animals. They are so cute! And so is Benedict.
I said pretty much the same thing up thread.
Also, horses are absolutely gorgeous. No shade there either.
Great minds think alike 🙂
I adore him.
Last night I watched Star Trek: Into Darkness, which is the first thing I’ve seen him in besides Celebitchy. I thought I saw “it” a few times, but I still don’t consider him good looking. His voice, though…wow!
This man belongs in a suit 24/7. He looks great, just has slightly small shoulders for his frame. What a sexy otter!
Well apparently he has a jailbait lookalike, so it must be something in that island water of theirs 😛
http://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/british-teen-benedict-cumberbatch-lookalike-goes-goes-viral
OMG they do look alike!
I love his acting skills. I’ve never been to particularly concerned with looks. I only seem to notice looks when a personality becomes rather unappealing. He has unusual looks for mainstream actors in Hollywood but for the anti-Hollywood person he has pretty mainstream looks. He is actually quite average if you look at the folks around you and how uniquely normal they are compared to Hollywood looks. I find the typical Hollywood looks to be rather bland…like plain yogurt. It is the unusual (who really actually represent the average) that also have actual skills that attract my attention. I’m not saying eye candy isn’t occasional indulged just that it doesn’t sustain my attention. Mr. Cumberbatch has my attention and not because he’s sweet tart but because he’s a four course meal with layers of flavor that I will remember for days after and fantasize about sitting at the table again and just to listen and watch because it only gets better each time. I can relate to his average looks, appreciate his skilled and well crafted talents and not give a fig about Hollywood standards.
I mostly agree and I love BC but I think there are a lot more “average” looking people on TV than you realize. Look at Sherlock, only Irene Adler and Lestrade stand out in my mind for physical beauty. American TV is the same, there have been and always will be character actors and second bananas whose looks can’t overshadow the star. There will always be quirky leads. Jack Klugman as Quincy, ME (yes, I’m old), Hugh Laurie as House, Steve Buscemi on Boardwalk Empire. Audiences love talent and when it’s well packaged in a great ensemble we love it all the more. And I do love otters.
I agree with you that there are talented and average looking actors but they are not standard.
British TV is less boring in both content and looks than American TV….in my opinion…especially since they don’t have that puritanical streak water down anything of interest.
I love Steve Buscemi too…and otters…they are just so irresistibly entertaining.
So, can we start calling him His Otterness? Personally, I adore otters. I used to live in Alaska and it was so delightful watching the Sea Otters play.
Does anyone know if he is working on a secret project with Jesse Peyronel? that writer/director he was spotted with in an LA cinema. They seemed very close while he was in LA so I’m just wondering, plus I read his tweet that he (@ Jessedir) was headed to JFK from LAX on valentines day… possibly to meet up with BC maybe??
Everybody on Datalounge seems to think they’re dating, LOL.
If BC’s really in NYC for work and not due to flight delay, that’d be awesome. I wonder what it’d be?
@MissMary
The lady who runs “Cumberbatch Web” said his PR people told her this morning that he was still in in the states on business…I am curious as well! Apparently it wasn’t a flight delay…
@Mandy: Someone sent to Cumberbatchweb last night they were told by people at BAFTA awards it was a flight delay but yeah, apparently Naomi (the lady who runs the page and twitter) talked to his people directly and they said no, work is the reason. Makes me wonder esp as he was still slated to be at the awards up until the set up, at least, given his promoted presence there and the pics of his seating arrangement! LOL a real life mystery, for now anyway.
In respect of the Bafta’s, apparently he was never meant to be presenting and was just a guest and in respect of the Queen’s performance, he was not scheduled to perform at all, despite reports, as confirmed so I think it’s just been media speculation. He probably did accept an invite to the Bafta’s but had something more important to do and decided to skip it.
That Jesse guy was by his side throughout all his Golden Globe campaign – very odd, but it could be they went to school together or possibly something to do with Benedict’s ‘secret project’.
Imagine if he did come out. I don’t know if i would cry or be happy. I personally don’t think BC is gay at all judging by his past but the Jesse guy pings to me.
Benedict doesn’t ping for me, either. I have no idea anything about Jesse other than he’s from London and is the son of an heiress to a barony. Perhaps he went to Harrow with Benedict. That, and their shared involvement in the entertainment industry, would easily explain why they spend so much time together.
I’ve always thought Cumberbatch was quite striking. The long neck, cheekbones, beautiful hands, feline eyes and the Cupid’s bow are all very enticing.
But intelligence, talent, along with a quick wit are huge bonuses. Throw in the fact that he has great legs and I’m done.
You said it all, Allheavens.
And here is some proof.
http://cumberlordofcuteness.tumblr.com/post/76972782870
He is also articulate, intelligent and talented and that is the complete package.
And in the voice, and I agree 100%.
“People find vaguely attractive”. Oh Benedict, what a sweetheart you are!
I think that he doesn’t completely get that people find him hot and sexy. Not just a reflection of the characters he plays, but him as a person. He’s just makes him that much more attractive.
I just can’t get on board comparing him to an otter. I know it’s usually meant to be complimentary (and otters are cute!), but like “lizard king” or “alien”, the haters use those terms to call him ugly, so I just can’t do it.
“Otter realness?” I’m beginning to think that Benedict and ‘him’ are deliberating sending out cute and lovely soundbites to ignite a 1000’s funny gifs. 😀
I shall look forward to the lovely cuteness that will implode over the next few days.
He is handsome, and he is very intelligent without be poncy [most of the time] but he has an edginess too, which I hope he maintains. I think he has been trying to smooth that out a bit too much lately. Mostly, I think for the American market. But, I am sure the American film market can handle real british blokes without acting a dandy all the time.
I’m sorry but he creeps me out (and before people yell at me to watch Sherlock I have). He’s like the lizard king.
@ Lux
Can you explain why you compare him to a “lizard king”? I have no idea what that looks like therefore cannot see the comparison.
Obviously it is an insult but he is an intelligent and talented human being and I am sure if you met him you wouldn’t tell him that, so why does the anonymity of a internet forum give you the right to insult a person you don’t know.
I just get so sick of the insults and name calling. If I am not keen on someone I do not go onto message boards, about them, and insult them. I accept that tastes differ and shut my mouth.
Where is ben now??!!! I miss him!!! Is he missing?