Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor, director, musician, and singer. He was born in New Zealand, spent 10 years of his childhood in Australia, moved there permanently at age 21, and has twice been denied Australian citizenship. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the epic historical film Gladiator (2000), for which he won an Academy Award, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Empire Award, and London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Leading Actor, along with 10 other nominations in the same category.
Crowe’s other award-winning performances include tobacco firm whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand in the drama film The Insider (1999) and John F. Nash in the biopic A Beautiful Mind (2001). He has also starred in films such as the drama Romper Stomper (1992), the mystery-detective thriller L.A. Confidential (1997), the epic war film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), the boxing drama Cinderella Man (2005), the Western 3:10 to Yuma (2007), the crime drama American Gangster (2007), the thriller-drama State of Play (2009), and Robin Hood (2010).
Crowe later starred in the musical drama Les Misérables (2012), as Jor-El in the superhero epic Man of Steel (2013), the biblical fantasy drama Noah (2014), and the action comedy The Nice Guys (2016). In 2014, he made his directorial debut with the drama The Water Diviner, in which he also starred. He has earned several accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, two Golden Globe Awards, one BAFTA, and one Academy Award out of three consecutive nominations (1999, 2000, and 2001). He has been the co-owner of the National Rugby League (NRL) team South Sydney Rabbitohs since 2006.
“I’m not arrogant, I’m focused.”—Russell Crowe
“God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia.”—Russell Crowe
“I’ll give you options, and it’s up to you to select or throw ’em away.”—Russell Crowe
“I have respect for beer.”—Russell Crowe
“I love going shopping.”—Russell Crowe
“I don’t play chess with my life.”—Russell Crowe
“I’m looking forward to the time in my life when I’ll do something that I think is good.”—Russell Crowe
“The important thing to me is that I’m not driven by people’s praise and I’m not slowed down by people’s criticism.”—Russell Crowe
“I’m just trying to work at the highest level I can.”—Russell Crowe
“I don’t know if I was ever looking for this kind of success- it came along as a by-product of concentrating on what I was doing.”—Russell Crowe
“It is important to dress for success.”—Russell Crowe
“War isn’t just about bravery and courage and jingoism and patriotism. It’s also fundamentally about grief.”—Russell Crowe
“I have to take responsibility to get all of it right. It’s a huge responsibility.”—Russell Crowe
“You’re only here for a short time, mate. Learn to like it.”—Russell Crowe
“If you live like it’s the past and you behave like it’s the past, then guys from the future find it very hard to see you.”—Russell Crowe
“Imagine what you will be, and it will be so.”—Russell Crowe
“Like everyone else, I’ve had moments when I’ve felt that I’ve been losing my grip.”—Russell Crowe
“I’m destined to be attracted to those I cannot defeat.”—Russell Crowe
“I have a passion for music.”—Russell Crowe
“Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.”—Russell Crowe
“In tyranny lies only failure. Empower every man and you will gain strength.”—Russell Crowe
“I want to make movies that pierce people’s hearts and touch them in some way.”—Russell Crowe
“You don’t want to be starting a film not knowing what you want to do.”—Russell Crowe
“I respond in the moment which is what makes me a good actor.”—Russell Crowe
“We can’t repay our good luck with bad grace. It invites darkness.”—Russell Crowe
“The secret to riches is the same as the secret to comedy – timing.”—Russell Crowe
“You don’t have to like an actor to do a scene with him.”—Russell Crowe
“I didn’t get married to get divorced.”—Russell Crowe
“I look for the role that excites me and work with whoever that director happens to be, wherever he wants to shoot the film.”—Russell Crowe
“From a young kid, I was quite interested in religion.”—Russell Crowe
