Russell Crowe is an award-winning New Zealand-Australian actor, best known for his films such as L.A. Confidential, Gladiator, The Insider, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man.
He was born in Wellington, North Island, New Zealand on April 7, 1964. When he was four, his family moved to Australia, where his parents worked as caterers in film shoots. As a child, he appeared for a bit role in the Australian television series Spyforce. At 14, however, he and his family went back to New Zealand, where he became editor of his school’s newspaper, started a band, and even released a single, “I Wanna Be Marlon Brando,” under the name Russ Le Roq. In 1986, he was given his first professional role, in the musical The Rocky Horror Show.
Crowe then went back to Australia, intending to study at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Instead, he appeared in television series Neighbours and Living with the Law, and appeared in his first film, 1990’s Crossings. He also appeared on Blood Oath and Romper Stomper, released in 1990 and 1992, respectively.
Russell Crowe made his Hollywood debut with the 1995 film Virtuosity, opposite Denzel Washington. In 1997, he appeared in the crime thriller L.A. Confidential. Crowe picked up his first Oscar nomination, for Best Actor, for his role as tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand in the 1999 film The Insider. The next year, he finally won a Best Actor Oscar for the film Gladiator. He was nominated for a third Best Actor Oscar for the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind. The role also gave him a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award, both for best actor.
Russell Crowe appeared in other films: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, released in 2003; Cinderella Man, released in 2005; and 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster, both released in 2007.
Has worked with Director Ridley Scott numerous times including Gladiator, , A Good Year, American Gangster and Body Of Lies.
Cousin of former New Zealand international cricketers Jeff and Martin Crowe.
In a band called 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
Turned down the role of Logan/Wolverine in X-Men which eventually went to Hugh Jackman.
Was discovered by Discovered by British actor and musical director/writer Daniel Abineri.
Is good friends with actor Jodie Foster and has written a song about her with his band called 'Other Ways of Speaking'.
Co-owns Australian NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs with Australian businessman Peter Holmes.
Passionate supporter of AFL team Richmond Tigers.
Good friends with Nicole Kidman. She mentioned him in her oscar acceptance speech when she won 'Best Actress in a Leading Role' for The Hours (2002). He also attended her wedding to fellow Aussie Keith Urban along with other Aussies including Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts.
Shares his birthday with Jackie Chan.
Big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.
Friends with University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.
Is a fan of English Football side Leeds United AFC.
"I'd move to Los Angeles if Australia and New Zealand were swallowed up by a huge tidal wave, if there was a bubonic plague in Europe, and if the continent of Africa disappeared from some Martian attack."
"In wars, no one wins, everyone loses. There are no heroes, there's only dead people. Movies can really change things and ... it becomes an educational process and I think that's the healthiest way of attacking anything. That's what I'm looking for."
"He was a gentle, beautiful man, a fine actor, a loyal friend. I feel deeply for his family" - on the passing of friend and actor, Heath Ledger.