Jeremy Renner is married.

The 43-year-old actor was previously reported to have split from girlfriend Sonni Pacheco - with who he has 18-month-old daughter Ava - but he has now admitted they are actually wed but he prefers to keep the model out of the public eye.

Asked if he is married to Ava's mother, he told Capitol File: ''I have tried to protect my family's privacy, my wife's privacy. I don't need her to get hammered with my life.

''Privacy issues are important because I want her to go about her day without being bothered.''Paps follow me around . . . that's fine. But . . . I don't like being followed when I'm with my family.''

The 'American Hustle' star can understand why there is so much speculation about his personal life because he doesn't give away too much information.

He added: ''I've been talked about a whole lot, because the less I put out there, the less people know, and it makes it interesting, I assume.''

The 'Kill the Messenger' actor also admitted he feels ''miserable'' when he's away from his daughter.

He said: ''The only thing I think about when I'm not with my baby is, 'How do I get to my baby?' I need to get to her, and I'm very miserable when I don't see her. I really love being a father.''