"Let's get into bed together, I hope you respect me in the morning - Said at the meeting for approval of Russell and Holmes a Court's plan to buy the Rabbitohs - 2006

Our Favorite Crowe Quotes sent in by fans (From an archived page from 2001):

So all of the people my grandfather couldn't explain things to while he was alive were visited. And that sent me off. Perhaps, angels? The gift of flight? Perhaps it's just birds and we've manufactured it into this other thing. So maybe the next stage after walking on the earth is the gift of flight. Ah, it's all bullshit. But it's something to think about, isn't it?

"You've got to take an audience by surprise. You've got a lot of work to do to keep people with you. So take the extra mile." "If you give over absolutely in that moment, we're going to have a ball, man. And it's going to be real, and it's going to be true, and we're going to look at each other, and that fella says, 'Action,' and we're going to have a little connection -- a little extra connection -- that's just between me and you."

"When people talk of chemistry, it's really based not just on the scene. You can play scenes with anyone, whether you like them or not. But, if you have that broad range friendship that connects on a number of different levels, then when you're playing the scenes, that friendship comes out and that's what people see and describe as chemistry." (Russell Crowe LAConfidential radio interview 1997)

"...music is about story telling, distilling moments, and I couldn't ever possibly lose that".

"Romance is one of the most important things in my life. However much of a hard ass you think I am, there is another side to me, and without romance my life would not be worth writing about." -from an interview with "The Mirror."

"I'm going to be misquoted, misrepresented and misconstrued no matter what I do. I'm going to be the way I am and if people don't like it, well, that's just bad luck. - from a "Mirror" interview.

"I'm still looking for the right woman," he said firmly. "I've been looking and I hope that when I find the right woman and I do get married that I can enjoy the sort of relationship my parents have. -Russell on marriage and admiring what his parents have.

"...No one in my heart is gonna call me from the other room, expecting me to move..."

Russell said jokingly at the L.A.Critics Choice Award Jan. 2000, where he received Best Actor Award for THE INSIDER: "Well, it's been BLOODY SWELL travelling all this way for this... with a cash bar."...jokingly (That's our Russell)

Russell Crowe wearing his white & blue plaid flannel shirt on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Dec.2,2000. Jay say: "We'll be right back with our fashion consultant Russell Crowe." Jay turns to Russ & says "Ah, doesn't this shirt have some special story to it." Russell strokes his soft-stubbled chin and says "ah, yeah, ah..... right....I've worn this same shirt in about seven different cities in about three different countries, and ah, well I'm hopin' ta throw off the taploids as to where I am at any given photo".

RUSSELL: "It's a combination of both things, isn't it?"(fate and luck and success).."In order to complete the fantasy of my life, which is to work at the highest level in the art form that I've chosen ..then that means getting on planes..... Look at the people I'm getting to work with! Look at the experiences I'm having."

RUSSELL: "If you're going to take this kind of leap of faith, then you should do it with someone like him." On Ridley Scott & GLADIATOR Russell callls Scott "a staight-talking bloke." Then he adds,..needlessly, "So am I."

RUSSELL: "Suddenly a kookaburra bird flew in the window. It just looked at me. "I knew my grandfather had died. I phoned home and my mom would have nothing of it." (later) "My mother said a woman who had worked closely with my grandfather had come to visit, without prompting, had visited her as well. Learning this had reduced my mom to tears."

RUSSELL:"I'm pro-active in the choices, you know. In this part especially" (in GLADIATOR) "I'm pro-active and responsible for certain parts of the narrative."

RUSSELL: "And." he adds , of his 25-year-old cigarette habit, "I've never accused myself of being smart." (on protraying Jeffrey Wingand in THE INSIDER )

RUSSELL: "When it comes to Hollywood actors, I'm at the back of the car park holding the valet parking stubs," he recently to Interview magazine. "Only if everybody else is busy or distracted can I get a car out of the park and drive home." Toronto Sun Aug. 8, '95

RUSSELL on Sydney, Australia: "The most socially active city on the planet. I got to a point recently where I'd go out for a newspaper and threee days later I'd get home. I just wanted a place where there's a bit of peace and quiet." ( on moving to the bush ) U.K. Premiere 11/97

RUSSELL: "It's only going to be a set of eyes that you see," he says of his strange character. "So, that might be the last movie I ever do." Just kidding comments on now shelved project FLORA PLUM w/ Jodie Foster directing (shoulder injury in preparation for this role...rescheduled for later date or ?

Jay Leno - The Tonight Show(circa'99)L.A.CONFID. disscussing where Russ lives; on his ranch JAY: "What if you need something?" RUSSELL: "Well, there's this little town with a pub & liquor store, a drugstore for odds & ends, like cigarettes, a laundromat..." JAY: "Well, if that doesn't sound like the kinda place for a bachelor, I don't know what does... I mean a guy can get the really essentails needs -booze, cigarretttes,...drop off his dirty laundry...to boot" (giggling)

Russell on Nicole Kidman - (so he can assist the Australian film industry) RUSSELL: "After I'd made THE QUICK AND THE DEAD and VIRTUOSITY in America, I was able to bring a great deal of development money back home." Crowe says he learned this ploy from fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman. "Nicki is the princess of Australian cinema. She is incredibly supportive of our industry. It's just that Nicki isn't the kind of person to trumpet her generosity. She almost single-handedly revitalzed children's theatre through her financial donations... It's so cruel that people assume she has abandoned her homeland just because she married Tom Cruise. Nicki is the most glamorous, gracious woman to walk this planet." Russell has been close, long-time friends with Kidman & then with Cruise also.

ROSIE: "Did you know Danny DeVito before this film?" RUSSELL: "No. I didn't know Danny. But ummm it's funny...in the film all I do is punch him once and stand over his dead body. So, but we managed to still become friends..." Russell then tells the story of the Cannes adventure with Danny De Vio & flying to Paris...

Cannes Film Festival Danny DeVito & Russell Crowe DeVito: "How long are you gonna' stay?" RUSSELL said: "I'm suppossed to be here for a few ..& DeVito goes "Ahhh, we're going to Paris. You and me. Come on. We're going to Paris." RUSSELL: "So we get on this little private jet..we fly into Paris & two cars come to..pick us up & he gets in one & I get in the other..& the phone in the car rings & so I pick it up ..& get Danny: "Ah, a friend of mine wants to take you to dinner. Alright?"...He's gonna' make us dinner..we pull up..& it's Francisis Ford Coppola!"

"I had some things to do in that movie. I'd never actually shot a hangun in my life, and so that quick-draw & the gun spinning & all that sort of stuff, that gave me enough to concentrate on physically....um they'll start on my hands & pull out -- there's not enough room for an edit, & when I'm doing that gun routine it's me doing it, ya know." Russell on his work in THE QUICK AND THE DEAD

MM(Interviewer):"Did you learn a lot from Jack?" RUSSELL: "Oh, I learned a lot of bad habits from Jack?" MM:(laughing) "I don't mean bad habits." RUSSELL: "Some which haunt me, some which help me." (MM laughing) RUSSELL: "But he's just a fabulous old sailor, mate. And he knows about knots..about wind.., you know. And he -- so when you're in the middle of a scene with him, you fly man, you're off. And anything can happen ...you turn around & have a wink & a giggle, you know." Russell Crowe on working with Jack Thompson

RUSSELL; "Hi, Al, got another song for this one?" ALEC: "Just pretend I'm not here."

RUSSELL:"Well, as I was saying, Kim is the most professional actress I've ever worked with. And we had an extremely polite and ah, working relationship. It was very good..." (Alec cracks up while Russell is talking) ROSIE: "Good and that's all it was. Just two actors working." ALEC:(In a sort-of femle voice) "Oh, Russell said this and Russell said that..Russell's so witty and so charming." ROSIE; "Well, you know we're about out of time..." ALEC: "I just want to say, seriously,.. and this guy is a great actor. He is a great actor!" L.A.CONFIDENTIAL

"Russell was disappointed that his American films weren't well recieved so he was a bit hesitant to come back. Once he read the script for L.A.Confidential, it didn't take any coaxing at all," says Hanson Curtis (Director of L.A.CONFID.)

Russell admits "It took a bit of adjusting when I came to Hollywood. In Australia I was at the top of the pile." Toronto Sun by Bruce Kirkland Making the leap from Oz to L.A. 9/18/97

"This time around, I get to look and sound like myself. I'm using my Australian accent." on the making of PROOF OF LIFE

Crowe says he is a disgrace to his neighbors. "I'm a farmer's nightmare. I get too attached to the animals on our farm. Once I've befriended them, I find it difficult to eat them."

Since he was 14, Crowe has been singing and playing in bands. For the past 13 years, he's been the frontman for the Aussie band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. "My music isn't relevant anywhere but in Australia. They're too personal and regional to mean anything over here."...obviously said before GLADIATOR and the bands' performance in Austin, Texas !!!

Russell Crowe on workig with Denzel Washinton: "Magnificent stuff...but working with him, it was fun. He came into my trailer one night out of the blue and gave me a big cigar and a cognac. He said --we're just sitting there in silence, just talking a little bit, you know --"How's your kid?" etc. And he goes, "You know I've never said this to any actor I've worked with",(imitating Denzel) "But I wanna play your character." VIRTUOSITY (playing SID)

Crowe wanted a small role in The Shawshank Redemption. He was turned down when he arrived using his obvious New Zealand-shaded Aussie accent, his natural speaking voice. The producer advised him to fake an American accent if he ever wanted to work. No Thanks. "If I had walked into a room & played the game & conned the director to get the role, then I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning," Crowe says "I'm just gonna do it my way, mate" "I do accents, that's what I do, I'm an actor.." RUSSELL on USA auditions

RUSSELL on being an actor: "And it's the change in geography that actually makes my life interesting. Otherwise, it would be the same series of cow-bums and cattle yards." Carpie diem. The gypsy is seizing the day.

Crowe flew directly from Australia to Calgary. "It was 35 C when I left Sydney and it was -26 C and a snowstorm when I arrived in Calgary. It was literally a slap in the face," recalls Crowe. "I honestly wondered why people would ever choose to live here." for preparation for making MYSTERY ALASKA

Crowe explains: "It's only when the captain of the ship doesn't know where he's going that I explode. Ridley is the kind of strong director I like, as was Michael Mann on The Insider...these are men who are confident & have done their work long before they get to the set.." RUSSELL on working w/ directors

Ask Russell about his (& Tom Cruise's) favorite rugby team, the South Sydneys, & he'll give a speech about their stats, the nuances of the game & the the threat of big business to a dying team."

Curtis Hanson, who directed Crowe in L.A.Confidential, says the Aussie is "one of the most dedicated actors I've ever met. When he's in front of the camera, he can scare you with his intensity but,as a person, he has incredible warmth and tenderness." commenting on RUSSELL

"Personally," says the rising star "in the script & shooting stage(that's different than what you people get to see)"..The script was heavier..." The Aussie actor is as deadly honest & critical about himself..shrugs: "What Heaven's Burning is is a generic genre-specific road movie...You have to live with that....If all you're in for is entertainment, then there's no argument."

"Crowe, an Australian actor who is equally adept at shedding his broad accent & playing North Americans, is a man with an agile mind, a sacastic sense of humor & a deep-rooted sense of reality." - Bruce Kirkland - Toronto Sun

The David Letterman Show DAVE: "Now I have some photos here, Russell, of you and it looks like a cross-country motorcycle trip, and I guess these are your buddies, your outlaw biker buddies." RUSSELL: 'Something like that."(He laughs) DAVE: "How long have you been riding a bike?" RUSSELL: "Not very long, actually. I started riding a bike after I learned to ice skate, cause I thought 'If I can ice skate, I can do just about anything." DAVE: "You ice skate for the Mystery, Alaska movie." RUSSELL: "Yeah.correct."

Hollywood is a card castle. You must keep attention where the wind is blowing".

Conain O'Brien Show Russell on his screen test for Virousity. Russell: "Ahh, it was my 1st take,umm,I yelled my lines at him,ahh, straight out, & a big splat of spit hit Denzel right on his mouth, right mate, so he just stands there not movin' right,cuz it's my 1st screen test..umm, he doesn't move a muscle, mate.(RUSS giggles) So the director calls cut. Denzel starts wiping off his mouth,like yuck man.(RUSS immitating Denzel)"I love the taste of warm saliva 1st thing in the morning."(refr. to Robert Duvall's chacacter in Apocolyse Now "I love the smell of napalm 1st thing in the morning)

Russell: "I gained the extra weight by sittin'round eatin' a diet of cheesburgers & bourbin mainly, ahh...& I thought to myself, yeah, 6 weeks to put it on, & you know, mate, 6 weeks ta take it off! Took more like 3 months .." THE INDIDER ("It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."Mick Jagger)

A Russell's translation of a quote by Mark Twain- "The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up." Russell would say "Ahh, the best way mate to perk up a bloke is umm, to try, straight away, to give the bloke a laugh & a giggle." made-up 2/17/01

Molly Meldrum(MM): "How do you do it? I've watched you over nearly 24 hrs. now & you have not stopped." Russell: "These are the things that I dig, so it's easy. It's harder for me to work on someone else's schedule(a set waiting around) I'm setting the schedule & stuff, I can get everything I need done in the given 24 hours for sure. Like I said,these are the things I dig, playing w/ the band,these are grloves loves... Live Interview 8/24/00

Jay: "But those are real tigers..those are real.." Russell: "Well yeah those are real tigers..they kind of ad-lib a bit."(giggles) Jay: "Ohh really?"(giggling) Russell:"We had to have to sort of keep them funcional as in the frame & there were a few hairy moments there. I mean they are beautiful, beautiful creatures. They kind of draw you to them in a way,'it's like have a little lick of the old paw,or a pat on the head maybe?' Their heads are gigantic. Then you've gotta think:"This may be the last decision that you'll ever make!" (audience laughs) - Jay Leno Show 5/2/00

"Perhaps most intiguing is Bud White that Crowe plays. The animalistic Bud beats suspects to a bloody pulp & has no qualms about it..Yet he has a core of integrity; he can't be bought off for any price.Although he is brutal with men, he's protective of women,& later we learn of his hatred for his abusive father..." MEN BEHAVING BADLY MACHO ~takes a briliant twist by Stephen Farber L.A.CONFIDENTIAL Russell is Bud

"...Russell Crowe was cearly born in a hard month,in a hard year during a freak outbreak of total hardness...he holds the screen with such assuredness and force you simply can't rip your eyes away from him." EMPIRE The Awards 2001 RUSSELL - winner Best Actor (for GLADIATOR)

ROSIE:"Russell Crowe in L.A.Confidential." [THEY RUN A CLIP] ROSIE:"It's a really,really wonderful film!" RUSSELL: "Oh,thank you." ROSIE: "Great reviews all over." RUSSELL:"Incredible cast though.You,you have,umm, Kim,who's just fabulous in the movie.You have Kevin Spacey,Danny DeVito,James Cromwell(The Pig Framer-BABE)ROSIE:"Right." RUSSELL:"David Strathairn..Rob Rifkin..." ROSIE:"Have you worked with Danny DeVito before?"Rosie asks about the-Jersey-Guy.She speaks in her own NY rough-DeVito style. The Rosie O'Donnell Show L.A.CONIDENTIAl Russell plays Bud

RUSSELL:"When you're out somewhere,it's not as if you can take a knife & stab someone..say..(JAY & RUSSELL,giggling)RUSSELL:"Ahh,could be construded as kitchen tips;as in how to carve from the bone inside-out..."(RUSSELL & JAY giggling discussing preparing for a role) GLADIATOR The Tonight Show

Conian O'Brien asks Russell about his band & its'name. How they got it? RUSSELL:"Well,I had just returned from the states from adding the final touches to Virtuosity. Russell:"Denzel,& I have this huge final fight scene.I had been in L.A. to 'loop' for it.In this scene,I alone get hit hard over 30 odd times... Now mate,try to come up with enough moans,groans,& grunts to accompany that many blows,ahh."(Russell & Conian laugh)"And you have a specialized array of grunts!" RUSSELL on Late Night with Conain O'Brien 1995 -RUSSELL on VIRTUOSITY & TOFOG

Molley Melldrum: "The Crossing,Um,What did that mean to you,the movie?" RUSSELL:"The Crossing.....the beginning of an incredible friendship with two wonderful people Robert Mammone,& Danielle Spencer. Both friendships still survive in tact today..Bobby flew to Austin Texus.He wanted to see the show,& we worked together again on Heaven's Burning" (Robert is former cast-mate & directer) (-Danielle Spencer,a cast-mate,singer,a friend& a former girlfriend with Russell for 4-years) after THE CROSSING wrapped.-Interview LIVE-Australia 2/11/01

Molley Melldrum: "The Crossing,Um,What did that mean to you,the movie?" RUSSELL:"The Crossing.....the beginning of an incredible friendship with two wonderful people Robert Mammone,& Danielle Spencer. Both friendships still survive in tact today..Bobby flew to Austin Texus.He wanted to see the show,& we worked together again on Heaven's Burning" (Robert is former cast-mate & directer) (-Danielle Spencer,a cast-mate,singer,a friend& a former girlfriend with Russell for 4-years) after THE CROSSING wrapped.-Interview LIVE-Australia 2/11/01

Molley Meldrum:"OK,'91 with PROOF,working with Hugo Weaving & also your 1st AFI award[RUSSELL won Best Supporting Actor]..Good film,I mean." "RUSSELL: Mate, it was a wonderful experence.It was Jocelyn Moorehouse getting to do a story she'd worked on for years..in tandem with her husband P.J.Morgan.She knew every inch of the thing..it was just funny because our characters were very, very different people so there's no direct emotionally friendly connection...--three different notes being played that don't necessarily relate harmonically,& so it was really exciting for me cause that was dead serious stuff for, you know." RUSSELL plays Andy(who brings a bit of humor,fun & honesty to Martin thru his simple,naive eyes) Interview LIVE with Molley Meldrum 8/24/00 PROOF

David Letterman introduces Russell for the 1st time on his show.DAVE:"Uh,the very much acclaimed actor from L.A.Confidential.."Russell emerges in a TOFOG shirt & jeans.At the close of the interview -DAVE:"So Russell,the Mystery,Alaska opens Friday.It's a fasinating story.It's about a small town in Alsaska,they have a hockey team,a hockey club.The town plays hockey.And they get a big opportunity to play an NHL team. It's all very exciting." RUSSELL: "Yeah, it's a very nice movie." DAVE:"And you're skating in the film." RUSSELL:"Yeah." DAVE:"Yeah." DAVE:"Good." RUSSELL:"Hopeless...absolutely." DAVE:"Nice to meet you very much." (The two shake hands) The Late Night Show with David Letterman RUSSELL is the guest 9/29/99

Richard Harris on Russell:"I did meet Russell Crowe and adored him, because it hasn't gone to his head yet.And I don't think that it will.I said to him keep your "f**kin feet on the ground and you'll go to the sky" (Total Film 7/00) Harris played Marcus Aurelius to RUSSELL's General Maximus GLADIATOR 2000

"This movie deals with important subjects such as political intrique and religious persecution.... Besides mate,you don't get gladiator roles sent your way everyday." (USA Today) --RUSSELL on GLADIATOR

ROSIE:"I read in the gossip items that you went to see a play with Ms. Nichole Kidman the other night..." RUSSELL: "Yeah..." ROSIE: "Is it true?" RUSSELL: "Yeah.We went to a play last night." ROSIE:"You did." RUSSELL:"Yeah." ROSIE: "Friends with Nic?" RUSSELL:"With Princess Kidman." ROSIE:"Yes.You know her from Australia,I take it." RUSSELL:"Friendly enough.We been in many, many rooms together in Australia but we never actually met until I started making movies in America." ROSIE:"Really?" RUSSELL:"How about that?(turns to audience with hand palm up.)So,um,last night we went to see something about honey drowning and bees in honey drowning and stuff..." The Rosie O'Donnell Show 1995 RUSSELL was a guest

ROSIE:"Now how did you actually get to be friends with her?You just sort of went-I'm from Australia,so are you,so you wanna hang?"(Rosie leans forward)RUSSELL:"Kinda'thing.Uhuh." ROSIE:"Cause I just..there's no problem there..?"(Rosie refers to fantasy crush on Tom Cruise)RUSSELL:"No.NO." ROSIE:"Okay,cause I'm just checkin'.." RUSSELL:"OH..What? Me& her,& then Tom's available?" ROSIE:"..out alone to the theatre,& I thought hmmm.."(Rosie crosses her fingers & smiles) RUSSELL:"Woo-woo! Now's your time!"(audience laughs) ROSIE:"I'm just saying...that's all I'm saying Russell."(Russell and audience laugh) ROSIE:"Now we have a clip of you in this film." The Rosie O'Donnell Show Russell promoting L.A.CONFIDENTIAL '95

DIANE:"And joining us now,the Roman general himself,Russell Crowe.DIANE to Russell:'Stength and honor.'is his code...are those the kind of heroes you grew up loving?..that what mattered?" RUSSELL:"Well,when I was a litttle kid you know,I didn't think in terms of realism when I started to become an actor.I thought in terms of Robin Hood & legendeary figures so it's taken me..uh,let's see 30 years to play that kind of character." DIANE(laughing)"So you were 6 years old?" RUSSELL:"Yeah, yeah, first time I did a TV show.But yeah,I mean he's sort of..he's flawed.He's beastial man,(Ha!)--he'll cleave your arm off if that's required.." --on the character, Maximmus, Good Morming America with Diane Sawyer 5/1/00 GLADIATOR

Reporter:"What part of Maximus is Russell Crowe & what part of Crowe is Maximus?" Russell responds(in his thick Aussie accent):"He's a character I play.My job is called acting.So the only part of Maximus that bears any relation to me is the one that wears a medievel tunic, a skirt...The most difficult thing about the character as well as the most pleasurable thing is wearing a dress." --reported by David Wild,US weekly mag. 3/22/00 -remarks made at the Academy Motion Picture Arts & Sciences,gathering in Los Angeles

M.Meldrum:"To take on such a role,as Jeff in The Sum Of Us,I thought was an extraordinary, gusty effort.Because,you know,the Aussie & the whole thing & playing a gay person, Jeff, in that with Jack Tompson, seemed.." RUSSELL:"It was such a beautiful script.They sent it around & I read it & I knew it was going to be Jack,& as you know I worked with him when I was a little kid so I'd always had felt some connection w/ him. Though he didn't remember the meeting until many weeks into rehearsal when he politely said(imitates Jack Tompson):'Oh yeah.',Um, but the thing is,I've been a big fan of his work & loved his work..." RUSSELL on working w/ Jack Tompson,his dad to Russell's Jeff in THE SUM OF US -Interview w/ Molley Meldrum

"Crowe does a suberb job of coveying the double-edged nature of the character[Bud White,in L.A.Confid.],we feel the anguish with which he fights the violence within himself." by Stephen Farber,"Men Behaving Badly Mancho" article about RUSSELL & 2 other detectives in L.A.CONFIDENTIAL

Sylvia Nasar(author of A Beaatiful Mind)on RUSSELL:"What an inspired choice! Crowe isn't just beautiful. He's a superb actor who's got it all: emotional intensity, presense, brains. This is a drama about the mystery of the human mind in three acts: genius, madnes, reawakening.Crowe will be totally convincing in all of Nash's incarnations." -On RUSSELL's upcoming new role in A BEAUTIFUL MIND (shooting begins this spring 2001)

MM:"How you getting along with your lawyer?" RUSS:"My lawyer?" MM:"Yeah,I saw her on a photo of you & her in one of those.." RUSS:"Isn't that amazing?" MM:"Weekly magazines" RUSS:"Here it is folks..what you actually have to deal with..This is a reality thing here,you know.Ah,here is a completely manufactured story that did worry certain people in ah, my close proximaty.. you're reading it & it's w/ such a nasty attiude,such a black heart,..that the whole point of why I do what I do[acting]..You question why you even bother..people allowed to comment on.."(the tale transpires:mix-up w/ irresponsible,rag reports,photo) Russell ends with a laugh.-Live Interview,Molley Meldrum with RUSSELL (Feb'01)

RUSSELL:"And so we were thinking,who could this woman possibly be?And we're looking at the photo cause we only had a fax copy of it.We were trying to work out,me& Andy..Nah,could be Laura..? you know,..whoever she is she's walking behind me, All this absolute innuendo & everthing,then we get a color copy,& Andy rings me up & goes:'It's Candice___.'Candice is one of attorneys.lauphs And she was at the gig looking after the band's interests.So it's just amazing what they're allowed to put in a newspaper!" -Interview w/ Molley Meldrum with RUSSELL (Feb.'01)

RUSSELL:"It's ah,yeah,I mean the gigs were seconadary.We were just coming here to make a record.We just thought we'd play a couple of gigs to put a little adrenilin into the week.We didn't realize it would explode lke this."(understatement from Crowe bout fans' reception to the band) MM:"And the album's really going well?" RUSSELL:"The recording's going fantastically.It's a very calm environment." Interview with Molley Meldrum with RUSSELL (After world attention to GLADIATOR TOFOG's popularity's stunning to Russ & his bandmates. They've been playing together 15 years.The recording here refers to TOFOG's upcoming new CD release.[Spring 2001]

RUSSELL:"It--we're going in and we sort of keep double backing and checing ourselves cause how could it be this effotless, you know?"...on recording with TOFOG,band mates. Speaking to Molley Meldrum, Intreview Live

RUSSELL:"I think there is a certain level of creative expression that is available in a 3-minute pop song that is not available in other medium. Does anybody online have a copy of the new album,Gaslight?"```lots of fans log in comments & questions```DEAN:"It's (Gaslight)got a lot to do with belonging to a team of guys who want to achieve the same things.It's a camaraderie thing, but also has a lot to do with articulating the day-to-day events & observations of our lives." Russell & Dean are song-writers who collaborate on TOFOG's songs. --from online open chat w/fans worldwide

A fan, Becky asks via e-mail:"Russell and Dean, Who was the brilliant mind behind the development of 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts?" DEAN:"That was me!" RUSSELL:"That was me!" DEAN:"It was Russell!" RUSSELL:"It was Dean!" BOTH(lol) Lots of laughs... RUSSELL:"Dean's a compulsive liar!"..responding to Becky --from online chat Q & A Having fun with their fans..two fine talents & close mates!

CAMERON:"Back by popoular demand.." RUTH(Russell-fan)asks:"I'd like to know if Russell wears briefs or boxers." RUSSELL:"None or your f**cking business."end. -Cameron directed online chat w/ Russell and his fans;questions were e-mailed ahead;or online to those who came in person;Russell's Grunts-mate Dean Cochran joined half of the one hour session (3/25/98)

RIDLEY SCOTT:"I was standing in the mud almost..2 years ago today Feb.2 & the Germany army were to the right of me,the Roman army were to the left of me & striding thru the mud to me was this,ah,figure,looking evey inch the general.And it's a time warp -except for the pack of Marlboros,he had in his hand(audience laughs)& he came up to me.From that moment on:Shot#1 What followed for me was going thru this experience with this gentleman.He takes no prisoners.You get 100% commitment-you get 400% commitment.He's a great collaborator.He's charming & loyal.He's full of surprises.He's one of the best actors around today."-Scott intro. of Russell at Critics Choice Awards RUSSELL is Best Actor 2001-Ridley Scott,director GLADIATOR

RUSSELL(playfully,in booming voice):"My people! My people!Thank you!My People!"(audience laughs) "You know,um,I saved a lot of time last year on your program,last year by giving some very short speeches.As it's highly unlikely that I'm gonna win this a 3rd time..I was born at a young age.."(RUSS giggles,audience laughs)RUSSELL (coninues serious again) -beginning of RUSSELL acceptance speech - Critics Choice Award;Best Actor; Awards Ceremony held in 1/01

"Russell Crowe was an interesting character. His thick Australian accent virtually disappeared when he was on-camera, but would instantly return when they stopped." -an extra working on the set of The QUICK AND THE DEAD; RUSSELL played Cort

"He(Russell)was very dedicated and worked hard.Case in point,he spent many hours learning the art of gunslinging.Those twirling tricks he does in Kid Fee's gun shop were actually done by him." -an exra on the set of the movie,The Quick And The Dead Kid [Leo DiCaprio as Kid to RUSSELL as Cort]

"But I'll tell you what folks,the level & majesty created by Ridley Scott is unparelleled in my experience. He's an incredible chap,& very laid-back in what he does,& the greatest non-confrontationist I've ever met.Hardest man to have an argument with,& the hardest man to hold a grunge...because he's just so far into what he does.And, this award should actually read,'For Ridley Scott's Gladiator.'"Thanks" -Russell ends his acceptancance of Critics Choice Award for Best Actor 2000. Then straight after,GLADIATOR is announced Best Movie for 2000 (in 1/01)

AMANDA:"..So, tell us about your new movie,Proof of LIfe." RUSSELL:"It's about a fella,er,who is working for a multi-national company in a non-specific Latin country by the name,Tacala,which is really Columbia;it's kind of a silly thing to do but(grins to camera)it's an American film folks,so....And he gets kidnapped & I play a hostage negotiator who comes in to basically try & get him back(film clip) AMANDA:"So in preparation for the role then,did you kind of go out & save businessmen? Method acting?" RUSSELL:(smiles)"No,I talked to a lot of people;did a lot of reading as I usually do;& was lucky enough,to meet probably half a dozen or more guys who actually do the job & chat with them about their experiences." -Interview w/ Amanda Byran on The Big Breakfast(UK)show (3/22/01)

Amanda:"Good morning,Russell" RUSSELL:"Good morning.How are you doing? You've been sent to distract me,haven't you?" AMANDA:"I have been sent to distract you.Are you disracted?" RUSSELL:"I will try & concentrate" AMANDA:"OK, Let's concentrate,focus.Welcome to London" RUSSELL:"Thank you." AMANDA"It's not your first time,is it? You spend quite a lot of time here now,don't you?" RUSSELL:"I've been spending a lot of time here for quite a few years,yes.I like London." AMANDA:"How do you find the scene, the London party scene?" RUSSELL:"How do you find it? You go out any door(starts smiling & giggling)just walk out a door...AMANDA:"Cheeky monkey!" RUSSELL:"..left or right,bang,there it is." Russell -Interview w/Amanda Bryan London 3/22/01 The Big Breakfast(show)

Director,Sam Raimi on Russell:"He crafted a great performance,even though he didn't have the line. Sometimes, he could do it with a gesture,even a subtle raising of the lip.He knew the exact moment to deliver the beat...But he is a tough" Raimi laughs,"The trouble working with Russell is that he always has a good idea.He has no tact.He tells you!...Sometimes he stood the whole scene on its head.It's not easy by a long chalk...But,it's exciting & it pays off dramatically." in Elle '95 on the making of THE QUICK AND THE DEAD

RUSSELL:"You know,it was the one time I sat back after a movie and started laughing & said,'You just bit off a little bit too much,man. There's just no way you could ever be an ice skater.' Forget about it." -Russell Crowe,the ever perfectionist on his own skating abillity (Box Office Movie Spectrim Report,8/99) MYSTERY ALASKA

"Russell Crowe is one of the best actors I have ever worked with in my life." -Burt Reynolds(Regis & Kathie Lee;9/27/99)..cast-mate in MYSTERY ALASKA

RUSSELL:"..so instead..we go to the restuarant &,umm,we pull up to the Cafe..on the Left Bank & the friend who's making dinner comes out with a little apron & a glass of wine,& it's Francis Ford Coppola! [in a very good *ganster Brooklyn-like*accent]"And I gotta tell ya...Francis,he makes a great tomato sauce,you know?" Russell to Rosie O'Donnell about his adventure w/ Danny DeVito(day trip from Cannes for L.A.CONFI.)-1st time on Rosie's Show

TERRY:"Curtis Hanson said something very interesting..how people looked different in the 50's. Bodies weren't aerobicized the way they are today..So I'd like to hear it from you,how that affected the move in your casting..Russell,in the way you carried yourself?" RUSSELL: "Oh you mean I was type-cast?" (laughter)-Terry Gross interview w/ Russell about L.A.CONFIDENTIAL

TERRY laughing:"Russell Crowe,Do you have those rippling muscles?" RUSSELL: "I think it depepends on the character.If it's important to the character..then fine & dandy..but if you're playing a meat & potatoes tank of a man like Bud White. You've gotta fufill who it is that you're playing." -1997 National Public Radio Interview; Terry Gross discussing L.A.CONFID. with RUSSELL

RUSSELL:"..as Curtis can attest,James Elroy..one of the things that Bud White wouldn't be: a beer drinker..So for 5 months,I didn't have a beer. And that, for a young Australian, was absolute torture." TERRY asking why this was in the script about Bud White' character? RUSSELL: "He's got an agenda. After his normal shift,he's got things he pursues in terms of a polceman. So Ellroy came up with this thing that Bud White drinks only malt scotch straight" Terry Gross w/ Russell in 1997 Interview (radio)

JAY: "You look comfortable" RUSSELL: "I'm feeling comfortable Jay!" JAY: "How's your shoulder? I heard all these ah..tabloid things,it was ripped off your..broken..& what happened?" RUSSELL:"Yeah, well you know,it's funny,cause,you know,you go through the German front,you know,or you battle crime in Los Angeles in the '50s & you think..you got away with that.And I was hanging off helicopters in Poland earlier this year.And I'm doing the thing where I'm learning how to basically be a gymnast,& I end up in the hospital, you know." The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (12/00)RUSSELL is guest to promote upcoming release of PROOF OF LIFE

RUSSELL: "I was doing a thing called the Spanish web,which is these two pieces of material that hang from the ceiling. You climb up like a rope & when you get to a certain point..." JAY[interrupts]: "Don't you need a girl for that?" (laughter) RUSSELL: "You split them apart..." JAY: "Oh,I'm sorry,I'm sorry.I'm thinking of the Chinese basket...[laughter]..that's a different..that's a whole different.. And what happens? You climb up and..?" The Tonight Show with Jay Leno(12/00) RUSSELL is explaining his shoulder injury to Jay

JAY: "Welcome back. Talking with fashion consultant, Russell Crowe." RUSSELL laughs JAY: "Now let me ask you, I know you're wearing the Sear's Young Men's collection." RUSSELL laughs. Russell is dressed in the(now infamous)plaid white & navy blue flannel shirt,& jeans. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno(12/00)

RUSSELL: "I disagreed with him,but James Ellroy,told me my character doesn't drink beer." says Crowe who had to drink scotch instead. "So I didn't drink a beer for 5 months,& as an Australian,that's a heeluva damn hard thing to do.I kept saying 'You're killing me,Ellroy,I've been on this set for 10 hours." Did he like scotch? RUSSELL: "I had bloody learn,didn't I? Now I can tell what's blended & what's a single malt.But I haven't had any since the moment we finished shooting this movie, because it's disgusting." RUSSELL refers to role in L.A.CONF.(USA Today '97)

It's maybe the first real adult film I've made. Man...this was definitely a journey to go on." Russell discussing L.A.Confidential (Movieline 9/97)

RUSSELL on his co-star,Kevin Spacey:"Oh Kevin's a gem...He's definitely one of a kind. He has this innate understanding of comedy & as a man he's a very deep thinker,& I think that's reflected in the character." Kevin was Jack Vicennes & Russell was Bud White in L.A.CONFIDENTIAL(Empire 12/97)

"Gladiator was that rare animal: A movie with mass appeal.'It was the only high risk movie of the summer,'Rovolution Studios chief Joe Roth says.'It was a big shot.'"No Guts,No Glory... studios played it safe this year, but it was the well-managed yet risky venture that won the prize" -Anne Thompson for Premiere Jan.2001-box office success. Maxiumus/lead was RUSSELL CROWE

"We spent 16 hours in the saloon 'hanging'(Cort)during one night.He(Russell)worked harder that night than anyone,since he had to be at the brink of stangulation most of the time.He was wearing a safety harness with a hidden wire, but he still had to keep the rope tight against his neck,while on tiptoes,through the shooting of that scene.I have a lot of respect for him." -an extra on the set of THE QUICK & THE DEAD,in his comments about cast;RUSSELL gained respect from co-workers

"If people want to inflate me up some where where I don't think I belong,its a matter of torching it--bringing it down to earth again and saying.'listen,I have exactly the same family structure,exactly the same problems exactly the same level of observation as you;divide my characters and divide the cinima from who I am." he adds " The thing about performing with a band:there is no safty net.If you want an exercise in bringing yourself back to earth,go on a rock 'n' roll tour."-*RUSSELL CROWE

" I've made 18 movies and I think I've given 18 bad preformances.Im still prepared to believe that I am learning this job,and sooner or later I might give a performance I like."-*RUSSELL CROWE

"Emotional truth is the first and most detailed thing that you can follow.Its like a singer smiling as they listen to another singer scat on a note.Because they know what that is to just let yourself go there instead of trying to fully control it."-*RUSSELL CROWE

"Nothing you want to do is ever easy."-*RUSSELL CROWE

Russell's approach to acting: "its about an emotional reaction.Its about where it actually gets you as an individual,because the same performance will affect a thousand people a thousand different ways."-*RUSSELL CROWE

When 1st offered the part in the film,(THE CROSSING),director George Ogilivie asked the then 25-year old which part he wanted. RUSSELL's reply: "All of them."

Russell explains:"After I got the role(Johnny),George & I went out,for coffee I think.He said to me,'What are we going to do about your tooth? I've been trying to think of many,many ways as to why this character would have a broken tooth,& I just don't see it.'RUSSELL continued: "George was such an artist;such a gentle guy.And then he said 'So what's the problem?'..I told him I just didn't want anything false going on here,& I went thru my whole teenage years...And George just said 'Well,I think it's good to grow out of that behavior. Let's have two front teeth when we play Johnny Ryan,shall we?' "So,I got a new tooth." -RUSSELL on his role as Johnny in THE CROSSING(The Age 11/97)

JAY: "Now were you awake during the operation?" RUSSELL: "Yeah well they give you a choice, you know you can either get knocked out completely or just have what they call a happy pill." JAY: "A happy pill." RUSSELL: "So I took the happy pill." JAY: "Is that a medical term?" RUSSELL: "Appartently!Um,I actually hid my mobile phone & my camera on the gurney.So halfway through the operation I just popped up & DING took a shot of the surgeon!" JAY: "It's always good to startle them while they're in there!" RUSSELL: "You see that's how happy the happy pill is! I thought that was a great idea!" (Both laughing)The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 12/01 -RUSSELL & JAY disscuss RUSS's shoulder operation

"I'm the master of unrequited love, know all about it mate",Interview session for London premiere of POL Feb 2001.

JAY: "So you put it on the internet!" RUSSELL: "So I put it on the internet." JAY: "So I can go into your website and see this?" RUSSELL: "Yeah,Yeah." JAY: "I mean why would I want to look at naked pictures of Alyssa Milano when I can look at this?" RUSSELL: "You can send that to your friends as an e-card." JAY: "But now this is a macho injury. If you had had hemorrhoids,it would not be on the internet![Audience laughs] See that's the kind of thing you can talk with your mates(Jay imitating an accent that sounds more corkney than Aussie..)They took my rotator cuff off & glued it back on & it's on the internet you see." (RUSSELL giggles) JAY: "You can get away with that!" (Audience laughs & claps) The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno 12/01-posting of injury on website

JAY: "Would you ever consider moving to Hollywood?" RUSSELL: "Ummmmm.[pause]Well.[pause]You know. [pause] Looove might make me move to Hollywood." JAY: "Love??" RUSSELL: "But that's about it." JAY:"Really??" The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/01)

JAY:"Let me ask you about Proof of Life now.This is,boy what an exciting movie this was,by the way." RUSSELL:"Cool,Cool." JAY:"About kidnapping & rescue & it looks really, really authentic. I know you shot this where?" RUSSELL:"Well,we started,we did pre-production in England,& then we went to Poland,& after Poland we spent about four months in Ecuador.And then we went back to England..." JAY: "And you had some excitement down there as well...(Ecuador)." -The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/01)

Russell on location appears via satellite,hooked up w/ The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno. Russell is in a very cold,icy place.Russ cups his mitten-hand over ear,to hear Jay's questions.Jay asks Russell: How cold is it there? Russell answers with visable breath:"Ahh,..it's cold enough to freeze the *---* balls off a.."(inaudible here). Jay is giggling & continues the scheduled interview.Week of Oscars,2000.Russell's on location & couldn't get away from shoot in Poland,(he showed up via live video) Much to the delight of the audience & to host Jay Leno (3/00)

RUSSELL:"Well,man Ecuador is a place where you just cannot predict what's going to go on.You know.One day we were shooting in...got a couple of thousand extras & we're about 2 takes into it & from a brilliantly sunny day,all of a sudden we're in the middle of a massive hailstorm,you know..everybody scatters,& I grab Meg & we sort of ran into the 1st doorway,that happened to be a men's public toilet.Um,there's about 30 people in there..(Hi!to Equadorians there),then after the rain hits,the sewage system backs up,& a big thing bursts thru the wall.So we're standing at the edge...knee deep..what was that word we used before?" The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/00)

"I was blown away last year and again this year as well." Russell's 1st statement at the microphone at the luncheon honoring Oscar nominees. (E! Channel USA 3/00)

JAY: "Chopsticks? What bad HMO you got?(laughter)Now did he do a good job,are you happy with it?" RUSSELL: "He(doctor)did a good job,I've done a bad job with rehab,I've let the schedule control what I've been doing lately & that's not a very smart thing. But I get to go home soon,& all that sort of stuff..." JAY: "Is it back now?" RUSSELL: "I can do certain...I can pick up my beer,you know,all the important stuff.(laughter & cheers)But..to hold my body weight & all..that's not there at the minute." The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/00)promoting POL

JAY: "Well now you're a big star now.I mean like,Gladiator is,if not the biggest film of the year,certainly one of the biggest.And I keep seeing you're getting offered 20 million dollars to do those kind of...but you always seem to turn those down. You always seem to choose interesting..." RUSSELL:"It's funny - there's a correlation between - the more money that they offer you,[Russell moves 1 hand up,& starts moving the other down]the sh***ier the script is.(audience laughs & applauds) So I..." JAY: "Again,I guess that's an Australian term that we are not familiar with here. One of those outback phrases,you don't hear really." RUSSELL: "Sorry mate,if you can talk about hemorrhoids,I figured I'd just bring it up!" Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/00)RUSS promoting POL

RUSSELL(giggles):"This is a busy day in Ecuador.Kind of landslides & stuff,but beautiful country,physically incredible,which I think is shown off in the movie." JAY:"And the stunts you do,now you see,I always have this arguement,people always go 'ah no,you can't do your own stunts because of movie companies.'But this is really you hanging from this helicopter,isn't it?" RUSSELL:"Yeah,well if I can give the director as many 100 % shots as I can,then the audience stays right within the story.They don't say,'Oh hold on a second,that body shape is a little bit different,'or'His nose is bigger'or whatever.So I think it just adds to the excitement of the movie." The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno; Russell promoting PROOF OF LIFE;(12/00)

"Kim - now there's someone who really fits in with the tone of L.A.Confidential - her image is so against what she's really like,just like her character.All that stuff the media say about her,& then she shows up,so unaffected,in jeans & a t-shirt,& gives off this tremendous energy in her acting.She's going to go on to even greater things." -RUSSELL on working w/ Kim Basinger in L.A.CONFID.(Celloid '97)Kim played Lynn to RUSS's Bud White;Basinger won Oscar for her role

"The major point of 'Mystery Alaska' for me was the physical challenge of learning how to skate from zero,from scatch. Starting in November; shooting in January;learning how to skate,& I failed dismally." -RUSSELL's own statement on his skating ability; MYSTERY ALASKA

On working with Guy Pearce,fellow "Aussie" actor in LAC..."One of the best things about doing this movie was working with him.It was so great to have someone like him there to help me through.I mean,when the days were long & the thing feels like a real job,hard work,it was terrific to have someone there who was both a great actor,& a great guy." -RUSSELL (Celluloid '97)

"One of the things that we discussed when we first talked,when we knew we were going to do the job was when we did actually come together as a team,it should be like two halves of a whole.These two guys should actually make up one decent cop." -RUSSELL with Guy Pearce,about the LAC characters,Bud & Exley,each played (Toronto news conference 1997

Although they only had a couple of scenes together,Russell & Danny became friends.(from LAC)While on a visit to Australia,Danny DeVito sat in on rehearsals of Russell & his bandmates."Danny rang me up,& I told him we weren't up to much,but he wanted to come by anyway.So,I said fine.When Danny arrived I offered him the usual:'You know,Would you like a beer,cigarettes, whatever..?' Danny said he was fine with his water bottle.After the 1st set,Danny asked me for a couple of cigarettes.He broke off the filters,& climbed back up on his seat. He stuck a filter in each ear...& then he said:'OK, Go ahead I'm ready now.'" -RUSSELL relating a tale of Danny stopping-in unexpectedly to a jam session w/ TOFOG (a few years back)

JAY:"Tell the folks,...what the film is about." RUSSELL:"Well,the film is about...It's a big problem actually,all around the world.There's about 30,000 abductions a year,there's about 16 different companies that insure people for what's called K & R...Kidnap and Ransom.And it affects greatly actually American citizens working for American multi-national companies in different parts of the world.Mainly Eastern Europe & in Latin America.This is a situation where a bloke who's building a dam for an Amer.Co. gets abducted & the insurance covers it & a fellow comes in -which is my job- as a K&R consultantant.." -RUSSELL on Tonight Show w/Jay Leno (12/00) explaining PROOF OF LIFE

RUSSELL(laughs):"..So,it's back into the hailstorm again & thru the next doorway, which was a 15th century Cathedral,full of all these beautiful carved things on the wall,& everything was beautiful.Quiet.And we got asked if we'd like to go out the back door.So we(Meg Ryan & Russell)went thru there into a square...We saw this group of schoolgirls standing over in a corner.In their little Catholic uniforms,little sailor's uniforms...We go over to see what they're looking at..." -RUSSELL telling Jay Leno more about a day on location for PROOF OF LIFE [hailstorm,busted pipe in public toilet,& more!] The Tonight Show w/ Jay leno (12/00)

RUSSELL:"So we go..there's a guitar player & a blind piano/accordian bloke & they're doing this song & all the girls started singing.And we got caught up in that,you know,'This is magnificient.'And the bloke said to me,'Would you like to play a song?'So I thought oh what the heck,so I grabbed the guiter & played FOLSOM PRISON BLUES - the Johnny Cash song.And now it turned into a scene from a Beatle movie,right!Now I've got 30 Catholic schoolgirls who just won't leave me alone.And Meg thinks this is hilarious,you see I'm trying to get back to work going 'hey hey,hey,hey'[waving his arms pushing the girls away] -RUSSELL,same day on set on loction for POL -Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno (12/00)

RUSSELL:"So we finally go back out on the square &,they put the two thousand extras back in place.Then my eyes started watering & I'm thinking 'what's this?'& everybody's doing the same thing[rubbing his eyes].It was a riot on the other block & the police tear-gassed everybody.And this is like 11:30!"[points to watch] JAY:"It's not even lunch yet!"(laughs) RUSSELL(giggles)-The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno(12/00)

His quote to Jan Carl of ET at the Showest awards. Jan "I junped you when you came down the steps and your guards didn't move. Does that mean if its a woman its aright to jump you?" Russells' Reply; "Thats been my philosophy all my life"

"Russell has this real authority,an inner engine that makes him pop off the screen," Wick(a film-producer)continues:"When you think of the movie stars that last,they have some kind of furnace inside,an inner dynamic.Russell brought that to the character." -referring to RUSSELL as Maximus in GLADIATOR

"This film,if it has -in my mind anyway- a social significance or social impact,it's about the fact that it's still OK to be a man of honor in America." -Russell's statement on his portrayal of Jeffery Wigand,in THE INSIDER

"It was very interesting.He's an American Icon and incredibly deep and sparkling talent. It was a very big moment for me." -RUSSELL's reply to a question on working w/ Al Pacino; THE INSIDER

"You relly want to believe that Maximus is a real person and not a movie star in a toga." says Wick(a film-producer)who also cites Crowe's "extra-ordinary screen presence." -comment on RUSSELL as the choice for Maximus;GLADIATOR

DIANE: "So when you wake up in the morning:Do you say 'I've got a hit.It's a sweet day?'" RUSSELL: "I don't know about that yet. You know,the film hasn't opened. It's all very nice getting the reviews & everything..." DIANE:"Are you superstitious?" RUSSELL:"Yeah. Absolutely. I'll wait & see what happens." DIANE:"Alright. I think,I think you're going to be happy. Russell Crowe, so good to see you." RUSSELL: "Nice talking to you." DIANE: "Great to have you here!" -Good Morning America w/ Diane Sawyer,& Russell Crowe; May 1,2000...discussing the upcoming(summer)release of GLADIATOR

DIANE: "You went according to Ridley Scott from a paunchy middle-aged man whom you were playing in THE INSIDER...Thirty-eight pounds later you are 'unfakeable male,' I believe I read in one of the reviews.(Russell's laughing) What is 'unfakeable maleness?' Is that just an 'Aussie bloke?'" RUSSELL(still laughing): "I'm not sure. It's someody else's line." Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer & RUSSELL, May 1,'00 -interview on GLADIATOR...Russell is wearing a tan over-jacket with yep,a plaid flannel shirt,& a white t-shirt underneath...

"There's an elusive amagalm of sensitivity & strength which most actors don't have at all. With Russell you always felt that when he was doing it,he meant it. He has the gravity & masculinity that is disappearing from leading men.If you were casting an Australian remake of RAGING BULL then Crowe is the only actor you would consider." -Al Clark, producer of HEAVEN'S BURNING; RUSSELL played Colin,on-the-run main character

Russell on his role as Bud White:"...at 1st I didn't like him at all.Ellroy told me,'In my world of tarnished people,Bud's the only one I consider a hero.'I said,'Wait a minute, he's got to assassinate people & he's a hero?' I had to find ways in which you might like Bud, because you have to." -RUSSELL(Movieline 9/'97)on his character in L.A.CONFIDENTIAL

On moving to L.A.,or the USA -RUSSELL: "Yeah,that's about it.If I could find 500 & something acreas,& 400 cows somewhere around Sunset & La Brea...(grinning) JAY: "Yeah,yeah..." RUSSELL: "But that's not going to happen so... There's a lot of beautiful places within America.There's a lot of places I've been to on my travels that I certainly could settle down in. But it's a great thing for me,being outside-of-the-office,& at home.So I bring a different level of energy,I think into my work because of that." JAY: "But the 'love' thing is intersting...(audience laughs)We'll teke a break.We'll find out more about this..." Russell(giggles): "Oops..." The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno 12/01

DIANE:"The fact is...we were talking about this..There's something about this that is an intensely moral experience in a way that you don't see in a lot of movies.Particularly cyber-surrounded movies,in which this is a real man who had to do epicly courageous things..It's based,if not on history...It's based on an idea from Roman times." RUSSELL:"Well,it's a moment in history,but Maximus,the character is completely fictional.But uh,the time & the setting,& the political intrigue behind the story,that's all historically corect." Good Morning America w/ Diane Sawyer 5/1/00 on upcoming film, GLADIATOR

So the other day, i got a letter from the Producers, that said "please don´t play anny soccer on the Set of GLADIATOR." So i wrote a letter back:"You let play with TWO dangerous Tigers, Swords and stuff and i am not aloud to play a girlie-game of soccer? Kiss my butt, Love Russell!" RC in the "Making of Gladiator" on DVD-Spezial

I just want someone to talk to, someone to laugh with, have a good time with, get drunk with, to cuddle up to. Doesn't seem alot to ask. "The Sum of Us"

"He's (RUSSELL) totally an actor.Totally. I don't even know what goes on between roles..."said Mann. Comparing Russell to a young Marlon Brando... (Mann's voice deeply respectful):"Look at ON THE WATERFRONT,at STREETCAR, or even THE YOUNG LIONS, & you see this raw, powerful talent that's dead serious & accomplished.That's Russell to me. I'm dying to work with him again." -Michael Mann, director of THE INSIDER (L.A.Times 10/99)

Crowe on working w/ Michael Mann,whom he fondly refers to as a "meglomaniac". RUSSELL:"The last week before we started shooting,I said 'Michael,it's been a very interesting thing hanging out w/ you,but I need to learn the dialogue'...If any actor tells you that it's an easy gig working w/ him,they're lying through their teeth,because he works really long hours,& he's extremely intense.But he works on the principles that I've tried to hold to in what I do -detail and collaboration...The bottom line is,he cares.And there's that kind of forthrightness about him." -RUSSELL on director Michael Mann; THE INSIDER (L.A.Times 12/99)

Jay Roach,director of MYSTERY ALASKA said Crowe's intensity can yield something almost lyrical on screen. "It's a kind of poetic approach to acting. That's what makes it so powerful. He's very controlled & disciplined about the externals -timing,blocking,choreography. But in addition to that he has a way of connecting to his subconscious that adds all these other layers of subtlety & nuance to what's on the outside. A 4 second shot reaction from Russell can be equivalent to a full minute of dialogue. He can be supremely articulate without words." -Jay Roach,director of MYSTERY ALASKA,-from "At Home With His Range" by Amy Wallace (L.A.Times 12/99)

"My character was Spanish and I wanted to do Antonio Banderas with better elocution. But they wouldn't let me" said Crowe -a proven vocal chameleon... " They didn't want people to be distracted by it. But I felt when you say you're Spanish 50 times in the course of the movie, I should be doing the accent.Instead, basically everybody in the movie does, you know, Royal Shakespeare Company two pints after lunch." He demonstrated what he meant[changing]his normally relaxed Aussie twang suddenly to a theatrical,& [booming]tone: "I am Maximus,commander of the armies of the North!" Russ paused, rolled his eyes,& added "Ole!" Nevertheless,he loved working on the film... GLADIATOR (L.A.Times 12/99 -Amy Wallace,reporter)

"Michael [Mann] left that choice up to me," Crowe says of the weight gain." But I'm 35 and Jeffrey's 52,and a lot of people had told me that during the course of these events, his diet changed dramatically. He was drinking maybe a little bit more & so he gained weight,y'know? And I thought that it was very necessary for me to carry a little bit of that,because that would help me with the age." -RUSSELL on portraying Jeffrey Wigand in THE INSIDER ("Suddenly Hot" by Robert Philpot 11/99 Fort Worth Star)

PAULA: "L.A.CONFIDENTIAL will make you a star and a big sex symbol.Yet you're a wonderful, thoughtful actor. How will you reconcile your talent with celebrity and fantasy? Will being a movie star distract you from your true goal or will you take small,idiosyncratic character roles to subvert the onslaught of media attention?" RUSSELL: "I don't think of myself in the terms you mention but I do have a sense of humor about what I do. For example, I very much wanted to play [the gay son] in THE SUM OF US because I knew the 1st people in line would be guys who loved me in ROMPER STOMPER [Crowe plays a neo-Nazi named Hando]&,I wanted them to pay their 10 bucks, go into the cinema and just freak out." (Russell laughs) -from '99 Interview w/ Paula Nechak "AUSTRALIAN CONFIDENTIAL"

"This man's man,who recently rode 4000 miles around his Austalia on a motorcycle, also has a sweet streak a kilometer wide. He is a collaborative & unusually generous performer... He's a softy for animals -his 'mates'. He thinks women who have children are sexy ['They really get to me']And wait- is this that big bad Russell Crowe singing a love song? Midway through a spirited 3-hour interview,he croons:'You know she's gone & left me' singing along w/ the CD track he wrote & performed w/ his longtime rock band TOFOG. Clad in jeans, a white T-shirt and black boots, with his blue eyes sparkling meaningfully, he delivered the emotional punch line: 'I don't provide the safety to build her nest.' There's absolutely nothing safe about Crowe on screen..." -Amy Wallace,L.A.Times 12/99

"I really like him as a chap...Seeing him orchestrate 5 different camera crews on 5 monitors, you know, with 3,000 extras.He'd say:'I want this here. I want that there. OK, now if you can bring me in the 500 German guys and get hairy guys in the front. Not those skinny little ones, hairy guys!' He gives everybodys' instructions & he gets ready for another take & I say:'What should I do?' And he says:'Oh,no.You're fine.' "-RUSSELL on director Ridley Scott GLADIATOR (L.A.Times '99)

"There'e some wildlife up there. The other day I went for a walk with a lady friend & this bull started charging after us in the paddock. I had to quickly get her over the fence & explain that it hardly ever happens.Then a mile up the road she sees the very poisonous re-bellied black snake,& I pulled it out of her way. I doubt she'll be coming for a walk with me again." -RUSSELL on a recent stroll at his farm in Australia (1/00)

"You know Russell's the guy. If I knew what he had,I'd put it in a can and sell it." -Samual L. Jackson,fellow actor in a comment to a reporter at the Oscar ceremony 2001

"Russell stopped shooting & had the crew sing:'Happy Birthday to me'.Then his assistant brought in this huge platter of strawberries which is my favorite food." -Megyn Price,actress in MYSTERY ALASKA

"I've already set the dates for the 1st feature film that I'll direct. It's a particular project based on a particular book & the script is in its 4th draft stage.But the hardest thing for me with that is that I can't get a budget to direct a movie without being in it. And I'm really not sure that I can do both things. There are plenty of examples of others who can & who do it brilliantly,like Mel,Jodie Foster. But I'm different & I'm not sure if I can do both." -RUSSELL on his upcoming project as a director

"I read the script and I couldn't quite believe it. It was magnificient -one of the top 3 or 4 experiences of a read I've had -goosebumps and the whole bit. But I couldn't work out which character he [Michael Mann] wanted me to play." -RUSSELL on beginning work for THE INSIDER

"Of all the actors with whom Salma Hayek has locked lips,she once told Movieline Magazine that Russell's kisses were the best" BREAKING UP

"It's a really uncomfortable film to watch because these two people are kind of running away from life's essential thing: They're running away from their passions." -RUSSELL's comments on BREAKING UP ('97)

"There's an aspect of brutality in the humor in this film. It's one of the most brutal times of your life: The death of a long-term relationship that never reached the potential that you saw it to have." -RUSSELL on BREAKING UP (Austin Cronicle 12/97)

But as I was rabbiting on, he (Michael Mann) put his hand on my chest & said: 'I'm not talking to you because of your age. I'm talking to you because of what you have in here.' And it might sound like I'm a sucker or an easy mark. But that's exactly the kind of director I want to work with: Someone whose thought processes are so advanced that he's gone well beyond all the obvoious things like age, weight, hair color." -RUSSSELL on his pre-talks w/ director Mann for THE INSIDER

"Russell is wild. He's very intense, a very excellent actor. An actor who really comes in prepared but at the same time likes to have a good laugh." -Denzel Washington on working w/ Russ in VIRTUOSITY

"When you have mouthful after mouthful, you get this major sugar high." -RUSSELL on having to eat all that nanogoo in VIRTUOSITY

"Russell's ability to remain menancing, while at the same time being funny and charming, is a very rare amalgam. Very few screen actors have true menace. Russell has." -director Brett Leonard VIRTUOSITY (Elle mag 12/95)

"Russell is perfect for Sid 6.7 because he can truly delight in the twisted aspects of human psychology." -Brett Leonard director VIRTUOSITY

"There was a debate,& Russell backed me up entirely. He felt like he had signed up for something that was an ensemble.He saw that the film would be better off if he was not elevated above the other characters. He became kind of the defender of the greater good." -Jay Roach,director MYSTERY ALASKA

"People accuse me of being arrogant all the time. I'm not arrogant,I'm focused. I don't make demands. I don't tell you how it should be. I'll give you f***in' options & it's up to you to select or throw 'em away. That should be the headline : If you're insecure, don't f***in' call." -RUSSELL

"Every role has different things that speak to you. With ROMPER STOMPER, I was afraid of delving into the darkness of neo-Nazi ideology on one hand, but on the other hand, I could tell that it was going to be a very important social document. That was my imperative behind my doing it." -RUSSELL on taking the role of Hando

"I really travelled to Wales to have a beer outide Cardiff Arms Park. That was my priority." -RUSSELL on trip to Wales to research the Welsh accent for the movie LOVE IN LIMBO

PAULA: "You are part of the 2nd Australian Renaissance of films - PROOF most obviously.Do you plan on balancing your career between Ausralia & Americian projects?" RUSSELL: "Yeah,I made 6 films in America 3 years ago & last year I went home to make HEAVEN"S BURNING.I'm very much a product of the Australian film industry & I'm aware that I owe that industry. Working out how I'll return the favor is another kettle of fish.Making movies may not be suffient for me.I may want to do something that will give other young actors a chance."-1997 interview w/ Paula Nechak, AUSTRALIAN CONFIDENTIAL

"Look I think Brando is one of the greatest actors of the century, but I think it's a bit much when you apply it to me - I'm just trying to do my job." -RUSSELL

"I think somebody's got to be cruise director on a movie,& for whatever reason,it usually comes down to me. Human beings need balance, mate, y'know? Sometimes, a crew perhaps needs a hat or a T-shirt or a little party to know people are thinking of them." -RUSSELL's reply to a question about down-time fun activities on set of GLADIATOR

"I'd move to Los Angeles,if Australia and New Zealand were swallowed by a huge tidal wave,if there was a bubonic plague in Europe and if Africa disappeared from some Martian attack." -a remark by RUSSELL (HEAT mag,circa?)

MOLLEY: "Alright now, let's go back, when you were in Wellington & you moved to Australia. What was your first love? Was it music or acting?" RUSSELL: "Well, the both things were kind of simultaneous, which was kind of strange. Christmas of 1970, I was given a guitar - right? - I was 6 years old & in that same period of time, I'd say within about 3 months I worked on my 1st film set that I worked on, which was actually a TV show called Spyforce." -Interview w/ Molley Meldrum

"He's (Russell) a man's man. He likes hanging out with the guys & hav-ing fun. He does it (acting) with his whole heart, full on, all the way." -Djimon Housou, costar in GLADIATOR

"Russell's a really compex guy & I think that's what makes him such a great actor. It's always a stuggle for what aspect of him is going to be emerging next at any paticular time. You never quite know what it's going to be, but he's never boring." -Jay Roach, director MYSTERY ALASKA

"I thought he sort of sounded like Jon Bon Jovi." -21 yr. old TOFOG fan Connie Carson - Austin, Texas 8/00 (Next stop,New Jersey?)

"It's interesting. I try to keep a sense of humor about the press coverage. Some of the things I read I have an immediate reaction to...But when people invade my farm, it's a case of 'How the hell did you get here?' It's particularly hard on my family when people do really nasty things to get a response from them." -RUSSELL CROWE

"I always say I'm going to take some time off, but I never end up doing it. I read something, and I enjoy working. It's kind of a good job like that." -RUSSELL (on taking POL role) London Evening Standard 3/00

"My favorite act is AC/DC and the songwriters I admire most are Neil & Tim Finn [fellow Kiwis]" -Russell Crowe, New Idea (3/01)

I'm sittin' in a hotel room fielding business calls. I'm a boring bastard. I've seen these cities from New York & London so many times, so I got in the habit a little while ago of getting into a helicopter & having a look from the air. I've done the Manhattan thing, the World Trade Center, the big winds. Flying over the world & scaring the bejesus out of myself, you know?" -RUSSELL (Rolling Stone 12/00)

"I've worked with a lot of great actors in my life and (RUSSELL & Guy) would have to be on the very top of the list as 2 of the finest actors & nicest people I've ever worked with...We were a great threesome." -Kim Basinger; Golden Globes Press Conference (1/18/98)

"Guy (Pearce) used to be really good friends with a woman that I was going out with, & every time we would meet up & it would be kiss, kiss & then: 'Darling, how are you?' And I'd be standing there like a lemon. This went on for years & he never said a word. A much weaker man would have reacted to my stupidity, but I really respect the fact that Guy didn't do anything. Guy jokingly told Curtis that he was scared sh**tless & rooted to the spot...But I don't believe that & I told Curtis (Hanson) that Guy had balls of steel." -RUSSELL (At Home on the Range,movie plus-11/97)

"If you wanted to spend that much time w/ me in a little room, I think you'd get into a very... ahh...Hemingway-esque situation: Where they'd be on the phone going: 'Look we've passed the hat around. We got a couple hundred bucks...Can you take him off our hands?' " -RUSSELL at Oscar nominees lunchen 2001- Answer to reporters Q's on the kidnapping plot RUSSELL joked that:'He'd drive them nuts !'-ABC News (3/13/01)

"I think you will see that the PROOF OF LIFE box office, when it's not at such a family-oriented time as Christmas,will be much higher[than it was in the states]. What we know personally is that we (the actors) put as much possible effort into the process as possible and are pleased with the outcome." -RUSSELL at the London premiere of PROOF OF LIFE (2/01)

Taylor Hackford,director of POL indicated that the romance between co-stars Meg & Russell: "..had an idelible & very destructive effect." on the Box Office release of PROOF OF LIFE in the USA -in response Russell said: "I think Taylor is being impolite, impolitic, and imbelicic by saying that." -London premiere of the film PROOF OF LIFE (2/01)

"I think it's a good movie. Is it a great film and is it going to change your life? No. But not all of them can be." -RUSSELL on PROOF OF LIFE (2/01)

"If I'd never been available to people,if I didn't do press conferences & interviews, then maybe I'd understand it. But I do my job, I do that aspect of the job, doing as many interviews as required...so it's not as if I've been hiding or doing the whole MARLON BRANDO trip. I don't live on an island, metaphorically or in reality...You can have a conversation w/ someone & yet that person has a whole different take on it when it gets into print." -RUSSELL on negative press,IMPACT mag. (3/01)

"Hey these things,you can take them & examine them...but I'm not sure they're really that important..I'm not driven by peoples' praise & I'm not slowed down by their criticism. I'm just trying to work at the highest level I can." -RUSSELL on the press,IMPACT mag. by Josh Mosley

A fan's encounter w/ RUSSELL from RCH site - RUSSELL: "I've got to make this quick...they're waiting for me." A fan, BETH: (nervous, it's a long line) BETH: "I'll see you in Austin!" (Russell looked up & caught her TOFOG shirt & he responded) RUSSELL: "Cool...Cheers, mate !" BETH : (SPEECHLESS swooned) On 3:00AM break from set of A BEAUTIFUL MIND; Russell was wearing tux & short hair - wedding scene perhaps ?

"You're dealing with going from one 10-day fight sequence to immediately rehearsing for the next 10-day fight sequence. In between, I'm wrestling with a tiger." -RUSSELL on his work schedule for GLADIATOR;cinescope 'FACE of the FUTURE'(1-2/00)

"I hadn't seen them (his parents) for 2 years. It's been very hard, so seeing them had reached a point of absolute necessity...I'd also like to relax on a mountain & ride horses. I'd like to chill out for awhile. Having said that, it's not as if I've been working on a whole lot of stuff that I hate." -RUSSELL beginnig shoot of THE SUM OF US; had just wrapped :the QUICK & the DEAD and ROUGH MAGIC in the USA & "Aussie" productions: ROMPER STOMPER, SPOTSWOOD, PROOF, THE SIVER BUMBRY from TV WEEKLY (8/10/94)

"I don't think it was coincidental. I don't think that when Curtis approached me he realized I was Australian. He's seen my Americain work." (on being cast in LAC) "Either that, or 'the producers' were looking for someone cheap...(laughing) Guy & I felt a bond with Curtis because he'd taken a big risk. Actually risk is the wrong word. We may have been unknown, but we both have substantial careers. Certainly he's taken a punt." -RUSSELL on director, Curtis Hanson casting 2 "Aussie" actors in magor roles in his movie L.A.CONFIDENTIAL; TV WEEKLY (9/27/97)

"While you're making movies, you don't invite people over for drinks, you don't see your girlfriend. You're just working. It becomes very lonely." -RUSSELL from New Idea (11/25/95)title : RUSSELL'S LONELY HEART...International Stardom -the cost has been high; RUSS's agonizing decision to break-off 5-year relationship w/ Danielle Spencer

"You know, if you grew up in the suburbs of Sydney or Newcastle like Ridley or Jamie Bell, a dream like this seems vaguely ludicrous and completely unattainable. But for anyone who's been on the downside of advantage and relyed truly on courage, it's possible." Russell accepting his Oscar. (I'm quoting from memory having heard by now about a thousand times--hope I got it right)!

The important thing for me is that I am not driven by people's praise and I am not slowed down by people's criticism. I am just trying to work at the highest levels I can. -Russell Crowe, from some magazine interview, I can't remember which one.

"Elroy's a gold mine. My initial conversation with him was the basis for Bud (that) I created. The 1st thing he (J.Elroy) said to me was: 'Bud's achievement was based on brilliant sustained rage.' That's the line from the book." -RUSSELL discusses the making of L.A.CONFIDENTIAL (Crowe Gets Confidential -TV Weekly 9/97)

"He's got a very good bedside manner. He's calm & reassuring to the client, but there is a distance. He has his business sincerity level, but at the same time, what happens in our story cuts through his ordinarily objective persona, where he is affected more emotionally by the people involved." -RUSSELL on the character -Terry whom he plays in PROOF OF LIFE (Vancouver Sun 10/99)

"Get out of my real life and stick with the fantasy babe." -vintage RUSSELL to a female reporter; "Who Are You Looking At?" by A.Craig (HQ 6/00)

" They wanted to take off my pants and put on the nasty paper ones. I rudley declined saying it was my f***ing shoulder." - Russell talking about nurses wanting to take off his pants, post - op

"I noticed Russell way back in ROMPER STOMPER. I just thought : This guy's an animal. It was only later when I met him I also found out how smart and articulate he was." -Ridley Scott, director of GLADIATOR

"Russell's got a very wry, Aussie sense of humor." -director Jay Roach MYSTERY ALASKA

"It may not go on for too much longer, so who cares really? There's always the chance of getting hit by a bus, so I don't worry about that sort of stuff too much." -RUSSELL in response to the media frenzy about his personal life & often mis-quoted humor by the press

"Torn tissue being scraped...request by four hospital staff to strip naked and put on paper pants - impolitely declined...surgeon's sweating...like James Woods in a minor role." -RUSSELL's commentary acompanying his shoulder surgery photos posted on his web-site

"It's an honor I take very seriously." -RUSSELL to Rolling Stone mag. after Austin's mayor declared 8/11/00 as "30 Odd Foot of Grunts Day" summer 2000 Texas

ROSIE O'DONNELL: "It's been Basinger [prounces Bass-in-jer] for years..." RUSSELL: "Kim..." (laughs) ROSIE: "And then it became 'Basinger' [prounces Bay-singer] and the whole thing threw me off." RUSSELL: "Uh-huh." ROSIE: "But she's great in the movie, as you are." RUSSELL: "She's wonderful in this film." -Rosie & RUSSELL discuss his co-star's name L.A.CONFIDENTIAL -The Rosie O'Donnell Show ('97)

"To anyone who's been on the downside of advantage, it's possible." Russell, accepting his Acadamy Award.

Russ: " And my beautiful chocolate prince, Joaquin, for he is far too sweet to be an emporer."

"He's a lot like Texans - warm, generous, and hospitable." -comment by Austin mayor, now Texas governer Rick Perry on meeting RUSSELL CROWE; Perry said the 2 "had common ground right off."

We were overwelmed by his generosity." -stated Anita Perry (Texas governer's wife)of RUSSELL CROWE who offered his band TOFOG to give a concert in honor of their daughter Sydney's 15th birthday; benefiting her favorite charity, a local shelter for abused children; the concert was Aug. 18, 2001 !!