Russell Crowe - Enigmatic Actor

                                 Russell Crowe is one of the intense and brilliant actor in today's Hollywood industry. Russell Crowe's personality is a shifting landscape of emotions. He has attracted controversy with his high-profile love affairs, his open hostility toward the American news media, and his all-around eccentricity.  He is a paradox -- always preceded by contrasting stories of his kindness and extreme callousness. What is never in question , is his talent. 

• He was born in New Zealand on April 7th , 1964. He was raised in Australia from the age of 4. His parents worked as innkeepers and caterers for the most part. Russell did not enjoy a permanent house , until the age of fourteen , since his parents were always on the move. Russell got the acting bug early in life. He became a child star through a Australian TV show.

• When his hit his teen years though, it was not acting which drove Crowe , but rather music. He fancied himself a rock musician and changed his identity as Russ Le Roc. While not playing music, he worked part time as waiter and bartender. Eventually Crowe , gave up on Russ Le Roc persona. Instead, he formed a new rock band with some friends. Russell still plays in the band, during his time off

• After the TV shows and rock band, Russell's first big break came with two films ... the first, Romper Stomper (1992), gained him a name throughout the film community in Australia and the neighboring countries. The second, The Sum of Us (1994), helped put him on the American map, so to speak.

• Trade Mark : Fiery temper, Gravelly, smoke-burnished voice, Frequently plays exceptionally talented or smart individuals, Often works with Directors Ron Howard and Ridley Scott, Often plays characters based on real individuals.

• Cousin of former New Zealand  international cricketers Jeff Crowe and Martin Crowe. 

• Premiere Magazine ranked him as #49 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature. His performance as Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider (1999) is ranked #23 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006). A Beautiful Mind (2001) is ranked #93 on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time (2006).

• After filming Gladiator (2000), he and some friends took a 4,000 mile motorcycle trip around Australia.  Owns a 560-acre farm in 7.5 hours North-West from Sydney. His earnings in 2001 were estimated at $15.4 million by "Business Review Weekly".

• Starred in 5 movies in 7 years (1997-2003) which ended up being nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. (L.A. Confidential (1997), The Insider (1999), Gladiator (2000), A Beautiful Mind and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)). Gladiator (2000) and A Beautiful Mind (2001) won.

• Took violin lessons in preparing for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) because his character, Jack Aubrey, played the violin several times during the movie.  Gained 63 pounds for his role in Body of Lies (2008). Once he was cast as Bud White in L.A. Confidential (1997), he read in the book that his character was the largest cop on the police force, off-putting for him due to his medium-sized frame (just under 6 feet). To capture a "big guy" presence, Crowe lived in a tiny flat in which he could barely fit through any of the doors. This experience, he said, made him come to the set feeling like a giant.

• Turned down the role of Logan/Wolverine in X-Men (2000).  Despite liking the script very much, turned down About a Boy (2002). Turned down the role of "Aragorn" in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Turned down a role in Black Hawk Down (2001) due to scheduling conflicts. 

• Plans to donate his brain to medical science when he dies. Is a fan of English Football side Leeds United AFC. He was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in the 2001 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Australian society and Australian film production.

• He is currently busy with big projects. He is playing Jor-El in the Superman movie, Man of Steel and as Inspect Javert in the adaptation of famous novel 'Les Miserables.'

Russell Crowe Quotes :

 [on winning the Best Actor Oscar] "If you grow up in the suburbs of anywhere, a dream like this seems kind of vaguely ludicrous and completely unattainable. But this moment is directly connected to those imaginings. And for anybody who's on the downside of advantage, and relying purely on courage, it's possible."

 " All that stuff, this public persona of me - let's call him 'the wild man' - that is not helpful. It doesn't make me more of a box office draw. It's the quality of my work that makes people want to go to my films."

 "I believe if you take on characters for a living you can't make yourself into an icon in order to sell a pair of shoes."

 "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."

"[on turning down the role of Morpheus in The Matrix (1999)] Well, "The Matrix" - I just didn't get it. I couldn't get past page 42. That world was just not interesting to me."

                                             He was nominated 3 times for Oscars and five times for Golden Globes, winning one in each. On the personal side, Crowe rather remains a reclusive personality. He has become notorious for his refusal to conform to Hollywood fame. He has walked out of interviews, often known for his frequent clashes with directors during filming, often purposefully blows cigarette-smokes in reporter's faces and hurls obscenities at the slightest provocation. But despite his rude and erratic behaviour, many directors still want to work with him. The reason for this is that his talent is undeniable.

 Whenever Russell Crowe graces the screen, he leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

Russell Crowe - Wikipedia