Russell Crowe: A Biography - Tapa dura

The Australian actor who burst on to the Hollywood scene with his roles in LA Confidential and The Insider, not to mention an explosive Oscar-nominated performance in Gladiator is given in-depth biographical treatment in this book. From a small role in daytime soap Neighbours to "Sextest Man Alive", Crowe is a different kind of Hollywood star, reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood, he has the charisma, talent and rugged charm of Bogart and Brando. Unlike so many of his contemporaries, he seems unwilling to succumb to the modern marketing gloss and hype, instead grounding himself on his ranch in New South Wales and choosing roles that are enigmatic, raw, challenging and always highly acclaimed.

Stafford Hildred and Tim Ewbank set up the Wordstar entertainment partnership ten years ago. Both well-known show business journalists, they are the authors of best-selling biographies of John Thaw, David Jason, Joanna Lumley and Rod Stewart. They bring to this biography access to some two-and-a-half hours on tape of Russell Crowe talking about his life and career as well as an interview with his English grandmother, Joy, and interviews with co-stars and other professional colleagues.