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They wed five years after playing one another's spouses in the psychological thriller Gypsy.
Now Billy Crudup is recalling the qualities that made him realize Naomi Watts could be his soulmate.
The couple became romantically linked shortly after filming the series, and Crudup, 57, is revealing how the traits she exhibited on set were what made him fall for her.
Despite being in work mode, that didn't stop sparks from flying between Crudup and Watts, 57.
During an appearance on Kelly Ripa's SiriusXM show Let's Talk Off Camera, Crudup described how her dedication to her craft, generosity towards their colleagues, and 'crazy resilience' drew him to her.
Asked by Ripa when he was aware Watts was 'the one', Crudup said: 'Obviously the pressure of doing those kinds of shows can reveal a lot about how somebody navigates their life, professional life, personal life, et cetera.'
Billy Crudup is recalling the qualities that made him realize Naomi Watts could be his soulmate
'We just had a lot in common,' he said. 'And her way of managing the set, the crew, the writing, the other actors, it was unusual.
'She's an incredibly hard worker, but has crazy resilience and additionally is very compassionate about the other people who work around her.'
The duo were both in agreement it was a rare 'mix of characteristics' given the demands of their jobs.
'Typically, you can be really generous because you don't really care, you're not working so hard,' Crudup elaborated.
'You can be applicable on set because you've got other things to do,' he said
Alternatively, Crudup said 'you can work really hard and put so much pressure on yourself that you make the people around you miserable,' he said.
'There is something nice about having a partnership with a colleague where not only do you speak the same language, but you both try to manage the ups and downs of the business in a similar way,' he said.
Crudup also said they provide one another with positive reinforcement.
'We definitely do,' he said, 'and we also cast a lot of different ideas on each other. And they're not always incredibly successful. There's a kind of trust that's unusual.'
The couple have been married since 2023, five years since starring together on Gypsy
Despite being in work mode, that didn't stop sparks from flying between Crudup and Watts' pictured 2025
While Crudup and Watts' romance flourished thanks to Gypsy, sadly their Netflix series wasn't meant to last - it was cancelled after just one season.
But Crudup and Watts have gone on to live happily ever after, tying the knot in 2023.
Watts was last in a long-term relationship with fellow actor Liev Schreiber, and together they have son Sasha Schreiber, 17, and daughter Kai Schreiber, 16.
Meanwhile, Crudup has the type of romantic past that has sparked controversy.
Crudup controversially left his then-girlfriend Mary Louise Parker when she was seven months pregnant for Claire Danes in 2007; pictured 2002
The Morning Show star, who shares 21-year-old son William Atticus Parker with Parker, met Danes while working on the 2003 film Stage Beauty
In 2007, Crudup's then-girlfriend Mary Louise Parker was seven months pregnant when he left her to be with Claire Danes.
The Morning Show star met Danes while working on the 2003 film Stage Beauty.
Parker gave birth to her and Crudup's son, William Atticus Parker, in 2004.
Parker later had an on-again/off-again relationship with Crudup's hunky Watchmen co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 59. The duo, who starred in hit TV show Weeds together, got engaged in 2007, before breaking things off the next year.
In 2023, Parker gave a cordial response when she was asked about Crudup's wedding to Naomi during an interview with The Guardian, saying 'I wish them well.'
'I honestly of course wish them every happiness because that's my son's father. So I'm happy for them. I'm happy they found each other,' she added.
