Turned down the role of Sgt. Norm 'Hoot' Hooten in _Black Hawk Down (2001)_ due to scheduling conflicts.

Is friends with Richard Tognetti, who gave him violin lessons for _Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World_ (2003).

Met spouse, Danielle Spencer in 1989 when they co-starred in the 1990 film, The Crossing (1990). Their co-star of the film, Robert Mammone (The Matrix Reloaded (2003), _Matrix Revolutions, The (2003)_), was one of Crowe's groomsmen at their wedding.

Turned down the role of Aragorn in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy since filming on _Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)_ would coincide with Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind (2001). However, Crowe really loved the idea of filming a movie in his home country, New Zealand, for an extended amount of time.

[On an upcoming remake of the Robin Hood story] If you go back into the mythology, you get Robin the Beheader, who would chop off your head and your hands, take your money and keep it. So we`ll have a look at that.

I do my bit to improve the world but I think it`s very important to get things done on the quiet. I`m sick to death of famous people standing up and using their celebrity to promote a cause. If I see a particular need, I do try to help. But there`s a lot that can be achieved by putting a cheque in the right place and shutting up about it.

I had a good laugh when Clooney tried to compare doing ads for suits, a car and a drink to what I do as a musician. An endorsement is about money. My music is from the heart.

I believe if you take on characters for a living you can`t make yourself into an icon in order to sell a pair of shoes.

After The Insider (1999), I know the exact chemical compounds in a commercial cigarette, but I`ve been smoking since I was 10. I know it`s terrible, but I am a great fan of irony.

I`m at the bottom of a well. I can`t communicate how dark my life is right now. I`m in a lot of trouble. I`ll do my best to solve the situation in an honorable way. I`m very sorry for my actions. I will spend the rest of my life if it takes it, trying to make it up with my wife. I`m pleased that my son isn`t able to compute what`s going on at the moment because that would be a heartbreaking thing. One thing that I don`t want to do is imply that I`m trying to make out it`s somebody else`s fault It`s not, I know it`s my fault, I`ve got to face up to it and deal with it. I`m not trying to be pessimistic, I`m just looking at what the situation is - it`s a seven-year jail sentence.

"Mate, he did that to himself. I have little time for the Oliver Reeds of this business. I`m not pleased that he`s gone. In fact, I never had a drink with Oliver, because I didn`t want to encourage him. I`ll go for long periods without a drink. When I`m on the farm by myself, it`s not something I even think about. But I`m not afraid to have a beer in front of a studio executive. That doesn`t make me a wild man." [About Oliver Reed]

When I arrived in Sydney, I spent 22 weeks in this $50-a-week place with just a bed, a cupboard and the toilet halfway down the corridor. For the first time my parents were some distance away. I did a lot of thinking and realized I appreciated what my father had instilled in me. People think that because there is a dole there they should use it, and there are a lot of ways to misuse the system. I believe in singing for my supper. I`ll never accept a grant because what I do should be able to be founded purely on free enterprise.

"He has disappointed me many times over the past ten years, with his performances in substandard movies." [About Robert De Niro]

I`m still excited by it. I still love the process. I want to make movies that pierce people`s hearts and touch them in some way, even if it`s just for the night while they`re in the cinema; in that moment, I want to bring actual tears to their eyes and goosebumps to their skin. That`s what motivates me, and it may sound strange but if you`re not focused on the audience, why are you bothering to make a movie?

The older I get, the crotchetier I`m going to get about that integrity. I don`t think, just because you have the public`s attention, it`s now a prerequisite for you to completely sell out your moral center. I don`t think that`s OK. If I ever stop being the guy that can answer your question straight and look you in the eye and give you my opinion, then I should stop making films.

Crowe`s maternal grandfather, Stan Wemyss, was a cinematographer who, according to Crowe, produced the first film by New Zealander Geoff Murphy and was also named an MBE for filming footage of World War II. Crowe`s maternal great-great-great grandmother was Māori and as a result Crowe is registered on the Ma�ori electoral roll in New Zealand; Crowe also has Norwegian, Irish and British ancestry.

According to Forbes, his movies averaged $5 of gross income for every dollar the actor got paid, making him the most overpaid celebrity in the business (December 2007).

Is a fan of English Football side Leeds United AFC.

Friends with University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.

Big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.

Initially turned down L.A. Confidential (1997) because he doubted whether he could convincingly play such a tough character.

Was slated to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the movie adaptation of Murray Bail`s novel "Eucalyptus", but this project was dropped.

Starred in 5 movies in 7 years (1997-2003) which ended up being nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. (L.A. Confidential (1997), The Insider (1999), Gladiator (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)). Gladiator (2000) and A Beautiful Mind (2001) won. A similar achievement was done by William Hurt in the 80s, he starred in 5 movies nominated for Best Picture in only 6 years between 1983 and 1988 but none of them won.

His earnings in 2001 were estimated at $15.4 million by "Business Review Weekly".

Was considered for the role of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and its ensuing sequels.

Was director Oliver Stone`s dream choice for the title role in Alexander (2004).

Two opportunities of working with fellow Australian and good friend, Nicole Kidman, have fallen through. In 2005, they were set to star in Jocelyn Moorhouse`s "Eucalyptus," which fell through due to disputes over the screenplay. And in 2006, Crowe dropped out of Australia (2008), Baz Luhrmann`s long- gestating romantic Outback epic, due to a disagreement over a cut in Crowe`s salary.

Nearly finalized a deal to reunite with director Michael Mann on Collateral (2004), but scheduling conflicts with "Eucalyptus", a doomed film project, prevented him from taking the role, which later went to Tom Cruise.

The role of James J. Braddock (Cinderella Man (2005)) is his personal favorite.

Lobbied Californian Govener Arnold Schwarzenegger against executing Stanley "Tookie" Williams. (December 2005).

Is a close friend of Texan Governor Rick Perry.

Lives in a penthouse on Woollomoollo Wharf in Sydney, the Penthouse was reportedly sold to Crowe and wife Danielle Spencer for over $13.75 million.

Turned down the role of Sgt. Norm `Hoot` Hooten in Black Hawk Down (2001) due to scheduling conflicts.

Turned down the role of "Aragorn" in Peter Jackson`s "Lord of the Rings" trilogy since filming on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) would coincide with Ron Howard`s A Beautiful Mind (2001). However, Crowe really loved the idea of filming a movie in his home country, New Zealand, for an extended amount of time.

Despite liking the script very much, turned down About a Boy (2002).

His wife Danielle gave birth to his second boy, Tennyson Spencer Crowe, on 7 July 2006 at 7:27am (AEST). The baby weighs 3.6 kg and was born at the Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital.

Was among the guests at Nicole Kidman`s and Keith Urban`s wedding

A Beautiful Mind (2001) is ranked #93 on the American Film Institute`s 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time (2006).

His performance as Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider (1999) is ranked #23 on Premiere Magazine`s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Formed a new band, named "The Ordinary Fear of God"

He attended Vaucluse Public School in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney for part of his Infants and Primary Education in the 1970s.

His next album (tentatively titled "My Hand, My Heart") is produced by Alan Doyle, lead singer for the Canadian band, Great Big Sea.

Is friends with Richard Tognetti, who gave him violin lessons for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).

When his wife was pregnant with his first child Charles, he gave up drinking alcohol with her.

His former band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, used to cover a song by Newfoundland band, "Great Big Sea". While filming Cinderella Man (2005) in Toronto, Russell Crowe met Alan Doyle, lead singer of "Great Big Sea". The two ended up composing several songs together, working in Toronto and Australia, and Doyle produced Crowe`s 2005 album My Hand, My Heart.

Is an avid supporter of the AFL team Richmond Tigers.

Once he was cast as Bud White in L.A. Confidential (1997), he read in the book that his character was the largest cop on the police force, off-putting for him due to his medium-sized frame (just under 6 feet). To capture a "big guy" presence, Crowe lived in a tiny flat in which he could barely fit through any of the doors. This experience, he said, made him come to the set feeling like a giant.

Shares a birthday with Jackie Chan.

Premiere Magazine ranked him as #49 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Good friends with Nicole Kidman. She also mentioned him in her oscar acceptance speech when she won `Best Actress in a Leading Role` for The Hours (2002).

Ranked #97 on VH1`s 100 Hottest Hotties

Was accepted into the prestigious drama school, The National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), in Sydney.

On 7 June 2006, he formed a partnership with Australian businessman Peter Holmes a Court to buy a controlling stake in his favorite sports team, the Australian NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs.

29 January 2004 - Dislocated his shoulder while training for his upcoming boxing movie, Cinderella Man (2005). The injury delayed filming for two months.

Plans to donate his brain to medical science when he dies.

Jodie Foster considers him a very good friend.

He wrote a song about Jodie Foster called "Other Ways of Speaking" with his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.

First child with Danielle Spencer, a boy named Charles Spencer Crowe, born in Sydney (21 December 2003).

Favorite toy growing up was Action Man.

Took violin lessons in preparing for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) because his character, Jack Aubrey, played the violin several times during the movie.

Son-in-law of actor Don Spencer.

Met spouse, Danielle Spencer in 1989 when they co-starred in the 1990 film, The Crossing (1990). Their co-star of the film, Robert Mammone (The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003)), was one of Crowe`s groomsmen at their wedding.

Ranked #30 in Premiere`s 2003 annual Power 100 List.

Discovered by British actor and musical director/writer Daniel Abineri, who gave Crowe his first professional acting role in a New Zealand tour of `The Rocky Horror Picture Show.` Abineri later awarded Crowe the title role in his first stage musical, `Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom,` which premiered in Melbourne in 1989.

Following his involvement in a brawl in a London restaurant, Russell stated that he was under a lot of stress and announced that he was going back to Australia to relax and spend more time with his father and his long-time girlfriend singer, Danielle Spencer. [November 2002]

At The Orange British Academy Film Awards on Monday January 28th 2002, was nominated for the Performance by an actor in a leading role Award for his role in A Beautiful Mind (2001).

Ranked #28 in Premiere`s 2002 annual Power 100 List.

His grandfather was from Wrexham, Wales

When Crowe`s acceptance speech for his Best Actor award during the British Film Awards was edited, Crowe shoved the producer of the show, Malcolm Gerrie, against a wall and cursed at him, telling him: "Who on Earth had the ... audacity to take out the best actor`s poem? I`ll make sure you never work in Hollywood". He later issued a full apology.

Although his surname is of Irish or English extraction, he lists his background as "Norwegian and Maori."

Has indicated an interest in taking out Australian citizenship due to the amount of time and energy he spends Down Under (keeping his New Zealand citizenship as well).

Proudly displayed his grandfather`s British Honours medal (MBE) while making his Oscar Winner speech in 2001.

He and his band, 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts, performed on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992). [16 August 2001]

Turned down the role of Logan/Wolverine in X-Men (2000).

Dated Meg Ryan. [2001]

Has starred in two films based on articles from Vanity Fair magazine. The Insider (1999) was based on a story by Marie Brenner named "The Man Who Knew Too Much". Proof of Life (2000) is based on the article "Adventures in the Ransom Trade" by William Prochnau.

Suffered a shoulder injury, which will require surgery, while filming Jodie Foster`s _Flora Plum (2006)_. It is uncertain if the film will have to be recast. [5 September 2000]

Russell`s rock group is named 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. They played their first US concert following Russell`s success in Gladiator (2000) in Austin, Texas in August 2000. The tickets for the concert were selling for over $500 on e-bay.com.

Performed on stage in "Grease" and "The Rocky Horror Show".

Dropped out of high school.

Owns a 560-acre farm in 7.5 hours North-West from Sydney.

After filming Gladiator (2000), he and some friends took a 4,000 mile motorcycle trip around Australia.

Tried a music career as a rockabilly singer sporting a large pompadour hairdo, playing under the name Russ Le Roq. Titled his first single "I Want to Be Like Marlon Brando". Later admitted that he had never even seen a Brando movie when he wrote and recorded the song.

First lead role when he was 25.

Lost his front tooth playing rugby when he was ten. Never got it fixed until, at the insistence of the director for The Crossing (1990), who paid for it out of his own pocket.

Cousin of former New Zealand international cricketers Jeff and Martin Crowe.