Peter Sarsgaard Says He Keeps Bees in His Brooklyn Backyard: 'The Neighbors Don't Mind' (Exclusive)

"They get blamed for a lot of wasp behavior," the actor tells PEOPLE

What's the buzz?

It turns out Peter Sarsgaard, who is currently starring in the film Memory (in theaters Dec. 22), not only has a passion for acting, but also for hanging around in the garden like a good old Brooklyn dad.

"A lot of what I do in my downtime is beekeeping and gardening," the actor reveals to PEOPLE, adding that he keeps the hives in his backyard in Brooklyn.

"My neighbors don't have a problem with my bees. In fact, there's a kid who lives next door, and he's super into them, so he'll come by and I'll stand in front of the hives and show him that the bees aren't going to do anything," Sarsgaard, 52, adds.

Related: Angelina Jolie Highlights Importance of Beekeeping in New Video as Insect Population Dwindles

In fact, the father of two says he wishes that people knew bees don't ever mean to sting humans — that's "wasp behavior."

"Bees get blamed for a lot of wasp behavior, but the things that sting are usually a wasp or a hornet," he says. "Bees don't typically do that. They're doing everything right."

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As for whether he makes honey, Sarsgaard jokes, "Well, the bees make the honey. I just steal it from them."

Related: Maggie Gyllenhaal Admits It Was 'Strange' Directing Peter Sarsgaard in Sex Scene for 'Lost Daughter'

Sarsgaard says he also loves planting, admitting, "I'm not really a vegetable gardener. I like perennial gardening, and planting flowers and plants that change the landscape."

The acclaimed actor, who recently won the best actor award at the Venice International Film Festival for Memory, where he plays a man with early-onset dementia, says that when he's not working, he loves being at home with his wife, Maggie Gylenhaal, and their two daughters, or walking his "very loyal" pointer dog.

Related: Peter Sarsgaard Didn't Know Maggie Gyllenhaal Was an Actress When He First Fell for Her (Exclusive)

"I know everyone," he says of the area where he lives. "I like to interact with my neighbors and neighborhood."

And if someone recognizes him from some of the work he's done over his 30-year career? "I don't mind!" Sarsgaard says. "That's fine. But I've been here for so long that the excitement has completely worn off."

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Read the original article on People.