Russell Crowe (b. 1964)

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Biography

Russell Ira Crowe is an actor and film director. His work on screen has earned him various accolades, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award. Known for his intense performances, his films have grossed over $5.3 billion worldwide.

In Their Own Words (5)

He was screaming at me at the time. He was calling me all manner of things and the all the other cast — or the three principal guys that I worked with, or that I shared a dressing with, were holding my arms. So that's all I had left to hit him with. And he fucking deserved it.

On being asked about head-butting actor Peter Cousins. , 2006

It was a 100 percent fucking home run, except the central character of William Shakespeare was not a fucking writer— he was not smelly enough, he was not unshaven enough, and obviously hadn't had enough to drink. He was some prissy pretty boy. What the fuck? That's so disrespectful.

On Shakespeare In Love, in which he had desired to play the role of Shakespeare. , 2005

None of it was my application. I didn’t pay for any of it. It was…the FBI, bless their pressed white shirts. They picked up on something they thought was really important, and they were following it through. They were fucking serious, mate. What are you supposed to do? You get this late-night call from the FBI when you arrive in Los Angeles, and they’re like absolutely full-on, "We’ve got to talk to you now, before you do anything. We have to have a discussion with you, Mr. Crowe."

On being protected by the FBI. , 2005

This is not belittling it, because I do think it's a very emotionally and intellectually complicated physical performance, and it's the combination of those things that made it a little unusual, I suppose. But I definitely rate The Insider and A Beautiful Mind above that. I probably rate Romper Stomper above it. And there's a hell of a lot of nuance going on in L.A. Confidential as well.

On his role in Gladiator. , 2005

Some things just come without any real understanding. I don't bother to question it or myself anymore. If you get into a situation like L.A. Confidential, where you can just totally get inside the character, that's a privileged position. Now that I'm more aware of the process I realize it's the position you always want to aim for.

Interview with Paula Nechak (1997) , 1997

Timeline

The story of Russell Crowe, told in moments.

1992 Event

Starred in Romper Stomper as a skinhead gang leader in Melbourne. The role was controversial and disturbing. It won him an AACTA Award and put him on the international radar.

Romper Stomper. A skinhead gang leader. Were you worried about being typecast? Was that role controversial enough to boost your career or risk it?

2000 Event

Gladiator opened worldwide. His portrayal of Maximus won the Academy Award for Best Actor. "Are you not entertained?" became one of the most quoted lines in film. The movie grossed $460 million.

Are you not entertained? Was that line as electric on set as on screen? Did the Oscar for Gladiator feel like the pinnacle?

2005 Event

Threw a phone at a hotel concierge in New York over a failed phone connection to Australia. Arrested and charged with assault. Pled guilty. The incident became tabloid shorthand for his temper.

Throwing a phone at a hotel concierge. Was the rage real? Did that incident change how people saw you?

2018 Event

Auctioned off personal possessions to mark his divorce from Danielle Spencer. Called it "The Art of Divorce." Items included a jockstrap from Cinderella Man and a chariot from Gladiator. Raised $3.7 million.

Auctioning possessions after your divorce. Was that letting go or performance art? Was the divorce harder than any role you played?