Benedict Cumberbatch visits zoo for Hobbit role

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch visited the London Zoo to prepare for his role in The Hobbit.

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch visited the London Zoo to prepare for his role in The Hobbit.

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The 35-year-old actor portrays Smaug, the dragon in the forthcoming Lord Of The Rings prequel and found it helpful to study reptiles at the famous animal attraction, reported InStyle magazine online.

"It's an extrapolation of a performance into something other than an actor. But essentially, you're still doing a scene," he said.

The Sherlock star, whose parents are actors Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, said that he believes his professionalism is helpful in his career as it makes people want to work with him again.

"I grew up surrounded by professional actors so it stood me in good stead. I know what a sin it is to be late. It's very easy to burn bridges and many actors don't think it matters, but it does because people end up saying, 'Yeah but you don't want to work with him because he's a pain," he added.