An action hero who initially dreamed of rock and roll stardom, New Zealand native Crowe played in a band as an adolescent and toured in the musicals
Grease,
The Rocky Horror Show and
Blood Brothers before switching to TV and film projects in Australia. After a succession of diverse, critically acclaimed turns (a Nazi skinhead in
Romper Stomper, a gay man looking for a mate in
The Sum of Us), Crowe was imported to Hollywood in the mid-'90s, where his turn as a brooding detective in the stylist noir
L.A. Confidential made him a star. His compelling portrayal of a tobacco-industry whistle-blower in
The Insider (1999) earned him his first Oscar nomination, followed by two Academy Award-winning performances in
Gladiator (2000) and
A Beautiful Mind (2001). Post-Oscars, Crowe continued to act in high-profile films (receiving Golden Globe nods for his work in
Master and Commander and
Cinderella Man) while also pursing his love of music with his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. He also wed his long-term on-again, off-again love Danielle Spencer, with whom he has two sons. In 2010, Crowe reunited with
Gladiator director Ridley Scott to star in the epic-adventure film
Robin Hood.
Russell Crowe Fast Facts:
- As a teenager attempting to break into the music business with his band Roman Antix, adopted the stage name Rus Le Roq.
- The movie business seems to run in the family: grandfather Stan Wymess was a well-regarded World War II cinematographer, and Russell's parents were set caterers.
- Performed with the Australian touring company of Grease and played Dr. Frank N. Furter in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- Sharon Stone was an early fan of Crowe, lobbying for a more beefed-up role for him in the 1995 western The Quick and the Dead.
- In early 2001, the FBI confirmed that special protection had been given to Crowe in the wake of what was deemed a credible kidnapping threat.
- Gained over 60 lbs. for his role in Body of Lies (2008), and put on over 30 lbs. for The Insider (1999).
- Russell Crowe Relationships:
- Alex Crowe - Father
- Charles Spencer Crowe - Son
- Danielle Spencer - Wife
- Jeffrey Crowe - Cousin
- Jocelyn Crowe - Mother
- Martin Crowe - Cousin
- Stan Wemyss - Grandfather
- Tennyson Spencer Crowe - Son
- Terry Crowe - Brother
- Russell Crowe Awards:
- 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 1999 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2000 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2001 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1997 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 2000 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 2001 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Winner
- 2004 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 2001 BAFTA Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2000 BAFTA Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1999 BAFTA Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee