Born in New Zealand, Russell Crowe was only 16 when he dropped out of school to pursue acting as a full-time career. He worked in theater, starring in local productions that helped him become a recognized artist in his community. After giving stellar performances in Australian cinema, he moved base to America in the 1990s to try his hand in Hollywood. Crowe was an actor to look out for from his early roles with his intense performances that became known in the critics’ circle. Along with making six-figure salaries for his roles, Russell Crowe won an Oscar in 2001 for his lead role in Gladiator. Along with an iconic career in music, he has also ventured into music with various bands.
While Russell Crowe began his acting career as he struggled to find work, his hard work and commitment made him one of the most sought-after actors in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, he works in selective roles but chooses his movies wisely while working as a filmmaker. An actor that keeps on giving iconic performances. Let’s take a look at the success story of Russell Crowe.
An Artist In The Land Down Under
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Russell Crowe was born to parents who worked as film set caterers in Wellington, New Zealand. He had a connection to filmmaking as his grandfather was a cinematographer. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Crowe was only four years of age when his family moved to Sydney, Australia, where he made his acting debut in an episode of a local television show. At 14, he returned to New Zealand but had made up his mind to become an actor. Two years later, he dropped out of school to join the theater. His first job was starring in the local production of the 1986 play The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He starred in the production for two years, even touring with the Australian team.
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While simultaneously working in plays, Crowe co-founded a rock band with notable artist Roman Antix. He also had a four-episode arc on the famous Australian soap opera Neighbors in 1988. The 1990s brought Russell Crowe into the public light as he made his film debut in Prisoners Of The Sun, as noted by Britannica. For his ability to delve into characters, the actor received an award from the Australian Film Institute in 1992. For his performance in Romper Stomper, he received another AFI Award, catching the attention of Hollywood producers.
Rising Through The Ranks In Hollywood
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Russell Crowe traveled to the United States and made his first feature in an American film in 1995 with The Quick And The Dead, starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Sharon Stone. While the film was a moderate success, it led him to bigger roles that established his career in Hollywood. His 1999 film The Insider saw Crowe portray the role of a whistleblower, which landed him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. In 2000, he earned the role of a lifetime with Gladiator as Maximum. It remains his most popular role to date, and his intense performance won him an Oscar for Best Lead Actor, as stated by Cheat Sheet.
A year later, he received his third Academy Award nomination with A Beautiful Mind, a Ron Howard film that won the Oscar for Best Picture. Along with his salaries, Crowe also saw an incline in his wages. For Gladiator, he made $5 million but earned $15 million for A Beautiful Mind. The actor delved into another demanded character of James J. Braddock for Cinderella Man, earning $15 million for the film. His other notable projects during the 2000s include American Gangster, Body Of Lies, and State Of Play.
The Work Never Stops
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After striking a solid working relationship with Ridley Scott, the duo reunited in 2010 for Robin Hood, wherein Crowe played the infamous outlaw. The actor commanded a $20 million salary starring alongside Cate Blanchett and Oscar Isaac. He returned to musicals with 2012’s Les Misérables, another Oscar-nominated movie that saw Crowe play a supporting role. He entered the world of superhero movies when he became Superman’s father in Man of Steel.
Russell Crowe may be known for his drama and action-packed films, but he remains an underrated comedy actor. As mentioned by Variety, the actor worked with Ryan Gosling in the dark comedy The Nice Guys, which became a massive hit. In 2014, Crowe also ventured into direction when he made the film The Water Diviner. Crowe took on the role of Zeus in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder, becoming one of the few actors who have worked in DC and the MCU.
Working with acclaimed directors and co-stars, Russell Crowe has a stellar acting portfolio that features massive hits and iconic indie films that have become timeless over the years. His scene-stealing performances have made him a household name with roles that keep coming. The actor will next be starring in Sony’s 2023 action film Kraven the Hunter.
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Sources: Celebrity Net Worth, Britannica, Cheat Sheet, Variety
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