Biography of Russell Crowe

Intense and manly

April 7, 1964
It's been compared to Clark Gable, James Dean, Robert Mitchum, Marlon Brando; Anthony Hopkins said that reminds him of the kind of actor that he was himself in his youth. Russell Crowe, one of the most intense and charismatic actors of his generation, calls for comparisons with the giants of Hollywood big screen, which says a lot about his talent and versatility. Amazing actor, the magnetic Australian is at ease in the embody a wide variety of emotions: demonstrates credibility and ease when issuing infinite sweetness and disarming, as in transmitting a threatening brutality and almost palpable. Such ability is schizophrenic a dowry that only the greatest actors can claim to possess. The same iron determination and the same belief that puts in play roles of good guy and a bad subject, combined with his courage in taking risks and his unquestionable charm, put him in those selected of young Hollywood stars-where they belong, among others, Edward Norton, Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Penn-who possess the makings of the star, a huge talent and absolute refusal to try to please others with attitudes ruffians.
Russell Crowe has an old-school masculinity that is disappearing among Hollywood actors, and that places it in a niche which is the undisputed ruler. The enviable position that now the actor has conquered in the mecca of cinema, and became part of the famous and exclusive waterfront residence clan known as "the 20-million dollar boys" (that small group of actors who earn lots of money in movies, which includes Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, to name a few), is the fruit of a hard and tenaciously pursued conquest. Russell Ira Crowe was born on April 7, 1964 in Strathmore Park, a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand.
Maori in origin (from maternal grandmother) Crowe has still the right to vote in the electoral quota that New Zealand law guarantees the minority Maori. Russell Crowe is not what you would call a son of art, but his family is closely linked to the world of entertainment: parents, Alex and Jocelyn, took care of the catering service on movie sets carrying frequently Russell and his older brother Terry with them. Also his maternal grandfather, Stanley Wemyss, was cinematographer during World War II, earning the title of Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth for services to his country. He moved just 4 years in Australia, accompanying their parents. Sydney begins to attend the movie set and have your chance just 6 years appearing in Australian tv series Spyforce ", and 12" in the series "Young Doctors".
He has 14 years when Russell with his family back to New Zealand. At school, during this period, he started the first musical experiences that constitute his main artistic interest. Under the name Russ Le Roq affects some prophetic songs, including the song entitled "I want to be like Marlon Brando." At the age of 17 years Russell leaves school and begins to pursue her career in music and film, supporting himself by various odd jobs including kids entertainer. Managed to get a part in a local production of the musical "Grease", precisely due to the fact that in addition to acting she was doing well with the song. Join a tour around New Zealand and Australia with "The Rocky Horror Show". Persevering with great determination, in 1988 came the offer for a part to be co-starring in a stage version of "Blood Brothers": the name of Russel Crowe begins to get known in the environment, along with his reputation as a promising young actor.
The Director George Ogilvie wants him for his film "The Crossing". On set Russell know Danielle Spencer, with which will make steady for five years. Today Danielle, established singer in Australia, it's still good friend of Russell singer and actor. "The Crossing" was not the first film shot by Crowe: filming was postponed and pending participated as a soldier in "Blood Oath of Director Stephen Wallace. After "The Crossing" and "Hammers Over The Anvil" (with Charlotte Rampling), Russel Crowe turns "Proof", which earned him the Australian Film Institute Award for best supporting actor. It is with the chatted film (controversy for themes Nazis and racists affronatati so raw and violent) "Romper Stomper" in 1992 that Russell Crowe becomes a star of Australia, bringing him the Australian Film Institute Award for best actor. Crowe is a chameleon who changes his age, accent and even physical shape to the part that should be interpreted.
This versatility is already evident in his early career when two years later "Romper Stomper", plays the role of a gay plumber in "The sum of us". With ten films in four years and a variety of roles to be a respectable resume, Russell is ready and eager to test their talent in the sacred Temple of Hollywood. It's Sharon Stone that after noticing in "Romper Stomper" wants him in the fancy movie "ready to die" (The Quick and The Dead, Sam Raimi), who was co-producing and which saw her starring alongside Gene Hackman and Leonardo Di Caprio. Hollywood experience continues with the movie "Virtuosity" with Denzel Washington, where Crowe plays the role of the villain, a virtual serial killer: definitely not a great test for both actors. After lesser films like "Rough Magic", "No Way Back", "Heaven's Burning" and "Breaking Up", "L.A. Confidential" and Crowe finally has a chance to demonstrate his great talent: a subtle and unique ability to develop his character slowly, to understand all the nuances of character. The winning film critics and audiences in Cannes 1997, won numerous awards, including two Oscars. Then it was the turn of "Mystery, Alaska" (in which Crowe is the captain of an amateur ice hockey team), and "The Insider," starring Al Pacino, for which the Director Michael Mann will compare Crowe to Marlon Brando. The Academy could not ignore the quality of interpretation provided by Crowe, and "The Insider" has thus earned him his first Academy Award nomination for best actor, overcoming, in the choice of the members of the Academy, even the same Al Pacino. But the film that made him win the coveted statuette was the next film: the "Gladiator" grossing film of 2000 season which transformed Russell Crowe from great talented actor in star world.
Crowe was still shooting "the Insider" when producers of "Gladiator" seek him. Immersed in that complex role, rejecting any distraction, Crowe declines the offer. But the Director Mann himself who advised him to accept, to not miss the chance to work with Ridley Scott. To impersonate the General Maximus Decimus Meridius, Russell Crowe has had to intervene on his body, losing the weight I had put on in six weeks to portray Wigand, in previous films. After "Gladiator" Crowe turns "kidnap and ransom" (Proof of Life), an adventure movie with Meg Ryan as co-star. The two actors, who met on the set, have connected a chat relationship, lasting about six months. In March of 2001, soon after receiving the oscar for "Gladiator," begins filming for another great movie that takes him to an Oscar nomination as best actor in a leading role (the third in a row, a record), "A Beautiful Mind".
In the film, directed by Ron Howard, Crowe plays the role of Nobel Prize winner John Nash, on whose life the film is based. The nominations go sign on Oscar night 2002 for "A Beautiful Mind" have been numerous (best film, Best Director, best adapted screenplay, best supporting actress-Jennifer Connelly). Crowe is extraordinary as the charisma that gives to her character: is the film in which perhaps reaches its artistic Zenith, however did not receive the coveted statuette. Instead receives the prestigious Golden Globes and actors Union award. Finished "A Beautiful Mind", in June 2001, Crowe has devoted to what he calls his "night job": the music. The actor has never abandoned his first passion and still performs with his band, Thirty odd foot of grunts ", of which he is the main author and singer together with his friend Dean Cochran. In the summer of 2002 begins the film by Peter Weir's "Master and Commander", taken from the novels of Patrick O'Brian. In the history of seafaring setting with all the outline of tall ships, frigates, sailors and adventures in the first half of the nineteenth century, Russell played the role of Captain Jack Aubrey. On April 7, 2003, on his 39th birthday, Russell Crowe married fiancée Danielle Spencer. A few weeks after the marriage came the announcement of Danielle's pregnancy.
His son Charles Spencer Crowe was born on December 21, 2003. At the end of March 2004 Russell Crowe moved to Toronto, Canada, to begin filming the movie, "Cinderella Man", directed by Ron Howard, biographical film about the extraordinary story of Boxer James j. Braddock. His personal project and tribute to Australia, will be the making of the film "The Long Green Shore", based on the novel by John Hepworth on Australia's participation in World War II. Crowe, in addition to playing the main character, will produce the film, I will write the script and will direct. The actor hopes with this movie to achieve his dream of bringing the American capital in Australia, to work on a big-budget movie, shot in Australia and Australian cast and crew. Russell Crowe owns an estate/farm in Australia, Coff's Harbour, close to seven hours ' drive north of Sydney, where he moved the entire family.
The farm raises Angus cows, though-he says-being able to kill them because he loves them too; It's where back just have free time and where he likes to spend the Christmas period giving degrees parties for friends and family. Among his latest films include "American Gangster" (2007, with Ridley Scott) in which he plays detective Richie Roberts, who stopped in the mid-70 's drug lord Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington); "State of Play" (2009, Kevin Macdonald); "Tenderness" (2009, by John Polson); "Robin Hood" (2010, directed by Ridley Scott).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.