Described by some as a "Sexy Rebel", Russell Crowe grew up in the film business but not among actors. He was born in Wellington, the captial of New Zealand, but from the age of 4 was raised, along with his older brother Terry, in Sydney, Australia, were his father Alex, a pub manager, and mother Jocelyn, a daughter of a cinematographer, did some location catering for Australian film and television. Coming from a family rooted in the entertainment business, it's not surprising Russell would follow in their footsteps. However, he was the first to make the move in front of the camera, and at the age of six scored his first speaking part on the Australian TV series Spyforce.
      Sometime during his fourteenth year, the family moved back to New Zealand where Russell completed high school. He began playing in rock bands and doing musical theatre, including a two year stint as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the down-under touring production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The production company went on the road and Russell landed back in Australia, where for a time he studied at The Academy of Performing Arts in Western Australia (part of Edith Cowan University).
      Russell's additional credits include guest appearances on such Aussie TV shows as Neighbors and a spot on Police Rescue. His first film role was in Blood Oath, but apart from his portrayal of Maximus in Gladiator, Russell's most career-boosting role was probably the neo-Nazi skinhead in the 1993 Australian film Romper Stomper. It was a role which caught the eye of fellow thespian Sharon Stone who went on to cast him her production of The Quick And The Dead practically making him an overnight success in the States.
      Since 1984, under the name Rus Le Roq, Russell has done double duty as frontman for the Aussie band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
      Russell's sacred haven is his 560 acre working ranch located approximately 7 hours by car north of Sydney. It's a ranch with all the trimmings; cows, horses, dogs, turtles and reportedly even a platypus. Crowe considers himself an unsuccessful farmer in that he can't bring himself to slaughter the cattle.
Photo © Armando Gallo/People - Bio by ThespianNet.com © 2001