Russell Crowe was born on April 7, 1964, in Wellington, New Zealand. His parents, Jocelyn Yvonne and John Alexander Crowe, worked as film set caterers. When he was four years old, his family moved to Australia, where he grew up. Crowe has a diverse ancestry, including Welsh, English, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, Swedish, Italian, and Māori heritage.

Russell Crowe began his acting career in Australia, gaining recognition for his role in the drama "Romper Stomper" in 1992. He achieved international fame with his performance in "L.A. Confidential" in 1997.

His portrayal of Maximus in "Gladiator" (2000) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. He continued to receive acclaim for his roles in "A Beautiful Mind" (2001) and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" (2003).

In addition to his film career, he has ventured into directing. He made his directorial debut with "The Water Diviner" in 2014, in which he also starred. He has appeared in various genres, from action films like "Robin Hood" (2010) to musicals like "Les Misérables" (2012) and superhero movies like "Man of Steel" (2013).

Russell Crowe married Danielle Spencer in 2003, and they have two sons, Charles and Tennyson. The couple divorced in 2018. Russell Crowe is also known for his involvement in sports, particularly as a co-owner of the National Rugby League team South Sydney Rabbitohs since 2006.

As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be around $120 million. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award.