Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood, balancing a film schedule with his TV series Sherlock.

So it’s nice to see the 37-year-old star still hasn’t lost his sense of humor.

On Tuesday the British performer was seen creatively transforming a basic white napkin into a quirky mask, putting on a theatrical display for his lunch date Dakota Johnson as they dined at a New York City restaurant.

Benedict – who was once quoted as saying that being a romantic icon is ‘enjoyable’, ‘puts a spring in your step’ and makes you ‘swagger a little bit’ – appeared to have zero inhibitions on this playful outing.

He provided ample lunchtime entertainment for 24-year-old Dakota and another female friend as he smothered his face with the white napkin.

He held the disposable paper in place by slipping his sunglasses and newsboy cap over the top, and pretended to go about the business of drinking tea as though everything was perfectly normal.

Peekaboo: The actor, 37, found himself sprung when he removed the glasses only to have the napkin mask float about his face.

But the August: Osage County star could only hold character for so long before the napkin slipped and he collapsed in hysterics at his own youthful antics.

He wasn’t the only one amused either, with his mystery blonde friend seen giggling her heart out at the absurd display.

Dakota’s reaction to the one-man show was not seen, but she did appear to be suitably enthralled by the star during their walk to the restaurant earlier in the day.

The Fifty Shades Of Grey star wore a conservative vintage-inspired floral dress, teamed with chunky black platform loafers and chic tortoise shell sunglasses to join her British actor friend for lunch.

The duo were seen chatting up a storm in an animated fashion as they strolled through the sunny streets of New York together, apparently deep in conversation.

Dakota – who has most recently been dating actor Jordan Masterson – and Benedict both attended the Met Gala on Monday evening, which is perhaps where they met because they do not appear to have worked on anything together previously.

New friends? Benedict Cumberbatch and Dakota Johnson were spotted strolling out to lunch together in New York City together on Tuesday, the day after the Met Gala.



Whilst the pretty brunette actress is in the midst of filming the racy novel adaptation of Fifty Shades Of Grey helmed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, Benedict is expected to head back to London soon to begin rehearsals soon for the theatre production of Hamlet.

He is set to play the disturbed Dane in the Barbican production of the William Shakespeare tragedy.

By all reports, Benedict appears to be currently single although he was most recently romantically linked to English artist Anna James after splitting from his girlfriend of 12 years, Olivia Poulet.

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