Russell Crowe's journey from his days as Kenny Larkin on "Neighbours" to the top of the Hollywood A-list, commanding $25 million per movie, is a story of incredible determination, drive, tenacity and immense talent. Crowe's breathtaking performance in "Gladiator" was the crucial turning point in his career. It earned him an Oscar and catapulted him in to the major league. Almost overnight, he had the respect of the industry and, off-screen, romances with some of the most beautiful women in the world heightened his profile still further. Yet his success came at a price: he was hounded by the paparazzi and portrayed in the world's media as a volatile and quick-to-temper rogue. But these days Crowe's preferred state is on his ranch in New South Wales, where he has been adapting to a quieter life as a husband and father. And as for his career, critically acclaimed performances in demanding, character-driven roles, such as schizophrenic mathematical genius John Nash in A Beautiful Mind, have ensured his reputation as a serious actor. Rare talent, sex appeal and charisma are a powerful combination, and he now finds himself firmly on a par with such Hollywood greats as Bogart, Brando and McQueen. In this engaging and compelling biography, authors Tim Ewbank and Stafford Hildred, trace the story of Crowe's life to date: from his roots in New Zealand, through a successful acting career in Australia, to Hollywood stardom and his latest collaboration with director Ridley Scott in "A Good Year". They draw on new and exclusive interviews with those closest to him to create a rounded portrait of this multi-talented but complex man.