Born: April 7, 1964, Wellington, New Zealand
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, actor Russell Crowe took Hollywood by storm in 1997 with his role as morally questionable Detective Bud White in L.A. Confidential -- and has since followed it up with one meaty, risky role after another. Nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1999s The Insider, Crowes role as Maximus in 2000s Roman-era epic summer smash hit Gladiator again took audiences by storm and garnered Crowe another Best Actor nomination in 2001. He won yet more awards for A Beautiful Mind and more attention for the aquatic epic Master and Commander. He has been called blunt, rude and hotheaded (and those are some of the nicer terms) by the media for such antics as picking fights on movie sets, walking out on interviewers and once, reportedly, even pulling a small pistol on a set stylist (long story, dont ask). What do the stars have to say about this hotheaded loaded gun?
Crowe was born, not at all surprisingly, under a fiery Aries Sun. Aries is a Fire Sign, and its presence floods Crowes chart -- both his Mars (Planet of Passion) and his Jupiter (Planet of Luck) reside in Aries as well. Aries is sometimes dubbed the Sign of the Warrior; could this have something to do with Crowes attraction to the role of Maximus, the Roman general who is wronged and rises up as a hero in Gladiator? Probably so; it even better explains the actors reputation as being, well, sometimes a bit hard to handle. Crowe probably understood his role in Gladiator instantly; Aries is symbolized by the Ram, and those born under its influence tend to use that Ram energy to butt heads with anyone and everyone who gets in their way.
Crowes Mercury, the Planet of Communication, lies in more steady, Earthy Taurus. This is a fortunate influence as it brings a grounded calm to his Aries fire. Those with Mercury in Taurus are given to practical thinking and common sense. They possess sound judgment that takes everything, including financial prudence, into consideration during any decision-making process. No wonder Crowe has made such good career choices for himself. Even in interviews his communication style is typical of the steady, headstrong Bull: He has been known to leave an interview due to boredom, seeing no reason to stick around when things arent going to his liking. He also has stated in no uncertain terms his refusal to ever consider moving to Hollywood. His farm in the Australian bush suits him just fine, thank you very much, and the down-to-earth Down Under is much more to his liking than glittery Tinseltown. Crowe is no-nonsense, just like a Bull!
His Mars and Jupiter in Aries further explain Crowes brash, honest-to-a-fault interviewing style. Jupiter, Planet of Luck, in Aries makes him outspoken, even zealous. He says what he means and not one word more! Mars, the Planet of Passion, in Aries signifies that Crowe is a man of immediate, direct action. He wants what he wants when he wants it and hes not willing to wait. Could this intensity and impatience help explain his pulling the pistol on the poor movie crew member? Probably so!
His Venus resides in Gemini, an Air Sign given to mercurial changes of mood and fancy; this signifies hes an individual who may find it hard to settle down. This Gemini love influence is further exascerbated by Crowes Venus Square Uranus, which can result in a hectic love life, and his Venus Square Saturn, which often inhibits romantic expression. Like others with their Venus in chatty, airy Gemini, however, he is sure to be charming, friendly and witty.
As Venus also rules Money as well as Love, its position in Gemini in his chart may mean Crowe has a tendency to spend those Australian dollars a bit frivolously. No matter; this Hollywood star is sure to keep securing plum, plenty-well-paying roles well into the future.
