Bob Balaban
Bob Balaban says he knew nothing about The Monuments Men story before he signed up to star in the film.
Balaban takes on the role of Preston Savitz in the latest directorial offering from George Clooney, in a movie that is based on a true story.
And while The Monuments Men risked their lives to save pieces of art from the Nazi's during the Second World War, it was something the actor was not familiar with.
Speaking to exclusively to FemaleFirst on the red carpet, the actor said: "Until this movie came out, I would say that most regular people didn't know this was going on.I really didn't know anything.
"I knew that Hitler was stealing art from Jewish collectors, but I didn't know that he was going into museums. I knew that they burnt all of the 'degenerate' art such as the Picasso's and the modern art that he thought was degenerate.
"I had no idea that the Monuments Men existed and what they did. I did read about it in the book The Monuments Men, and learned what was happening and how they operating.
"I happen to have read a wonderful book of really odd poetry that I liked a lot. He wrote some very interesting poetry about being in the war. That was very informative for me."
Balaban and the cast of The Monuments Men were on the red carpet in London last night for the UK premiere of the highly anticipated film.
Balaban stars alongside George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin and John Goodman.
The Monuments Men marks the first time that Balaban has worked with Clooney, and is his first big screen outing since Fading Gigolo.
He will be back later this spring as he joins another fantastic ensemble cast on The Grand Budapest Hotel.
The Monuments Men is released 14th February.