Russell Crowe has been many things to different people. To some, he is Maximus Decimus Meridius, the gladiator who overcame slavery to fight for his honour. To others, he is genius mathematician John Nash, a Nobel Prize winner in the field of economics who lived with schizophrenia.
Throughout his long career, Crowe has thrown himself into his craft, bringing to life memorable characters. Even at 60, the New Zealander is showing no signs of slowing down, taking work in various genres for films with lower budgets than he had been accustomed to.
This year, Crowe appears in Sleeping Dogs, a crime thriller alongside Karen Gillan, as well as The Exorcism, a horror film alongside Sam Worthington. But he’s not remaining in B-movie territory for long, as he will star alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Sony’s Spider-Man universe film Kraven the Hunter, set to come out in December.
Admiration for the actor transcends generations. To celebrate his work, here's a look back on Crowe’s career.
1987 – 1992: Neighbours and skinheads
Crowe began acting at a young age, appearing on different Australian television shows. His first break was when he appeared on Australia’s number-one soap opera, Neighbours.
He played a character named Kenny Larkin for four episodes in 1987. After his big television debut, Crowe worked in Australian films, none of which was successful enough until his breakout hit Romper Stomper in 1992.
In the film, Crowe plays Hando, a neo-Nazi skinhead who commits acts of violence and intimidation against minorities in Australia. The film was a commercial hit in the country, with Crowe’s performance likened to Malcolm McDowell's in A Clockwork Orange.
1995 – 1999: The Quick and The Insider
After Romper Stomper, Crowe remained in Australia and kept working his way up until 1995 when he was cast in his first Hollywood film: Sam Raimi’s western The Quick and The Dead. He was thrust into the deep end of the film, working alongside veterans Gene Hackman and Sharon Stone and up-and-coming talents such as Leonardo DiCaprio.
A commercial flop upon release, the film developed a cult following years later. It also helped in showcasing Crowe’s talent in America. The same year, he starred in the cybercrime science-fiction film Virtuosity alongside Denzel Washington, who was also a rising star at the time.
Unfortunately for Crowe, it was his second commercial flop that year. That wouldn’t hinder the actor’s rise though, as two years later he starred in his first commercial and critical hit, LA Confidential. The neo-noir crime thriller also starred Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger and Kevin Spacey. It grossed more than $125 million globally and was nominated for nine Academy Awards, taking home Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Adapted Screenplay.
After that, Hollywood’s top directors were lining up to work with Crowe and he starred in Michael Mann’s The Insider alongside Al Pacino. The film was another critical hit, earning seven Academy Award nominations, including Crowe’s first. He lost to his LA Confidential co-star Spacey, but wouldn’t have to wait too long to win one.
2000 – 2008: Gladiator and first Oscar win
After working with Mann, he then teamed up with Sir Ridley Scott. The result was a critically acclaimed and emotional film set during the Roman Empire. Gladiator, which also starred Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris and Derek Jacobi, won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Crowe.
He also starred in Ron Howard’s A Beautiful Mind, earning a third Oscar nod though he lost to his Virtuosity co-star Washington. And led the Napoleonic war naval epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which earned 10 Oscar nods.
Crowe would then return to work with the same directors again – with Howard in Cinderella Man and with Scott in A Good Year, American Gangster, Body of Lies and Robin Hood.
2012 – 2017: From Javert to Jor-El
During the early 2010s, Crowe was becoming more experimental and braver with his casting choices. He began the decade with an appearance in a Kung-fu film directed by Wu-Tang Clan member RZA called The Man with the Iron Fists. He also starred as Javert in the big-screen adaptation of the beloved musical Les Miserables and the superhero flick Man of Steel as the father of Superman, Jor-El, a role once played by Marlon Brando.
As the years ticked by, his leading man roles morphed to mirror his ageing, particularly in 2014's Noah, a film directed by Darren Aronofsky, and 2016’s The Nice Guys alongside Ryan Gosling. In both, Crowe leaned into the fact he was getting older and displayed different aspects of his talents. In Noah, Crowe was solemn and determined, bringing the biblical character a lot of reverence. In The Nice Guys, he comfortably portrayed his wit, keeping up with Gosling and sometimes even outshining him.
2018 – Present: B-movie darling and Rome ambassador
During the past six years, Crowe has started appearing in films with smaller budgets, often in the horror or action genre. These films are referred to as B-movies because they used to play after the A-movie, or the big blockbuster, in theatres. Today, they are accepted as smaller projects with straightforward plots.
Highlights include 2020’s Unhinged, in which he plays a man out of control who wreaks havoc after a road rage incident. Another highlight is The Pope’s Exorcist, a horror movie where he plays Father Gabriel Amorth, based on a real-life exorcist.
In 2022, Crowe was appointed by the mayor of Rome to be its ambassador. Crowe was given a plaque and the title of “ambassador of Rome to the world”. The mayor said the city was giving the plaque “as the symbol of friendship and affection”.
What's next and does it include an appearance in Gladiator II?
As his character died at the end of the first film, it’s unlikely. Although, a cameo through a flashback is not completely off the table.
As for his next projects, Marvel fans can look forward to Kraven the Hunter, in which Crowe will play Nikolai Kravinoff, the father of Kraven, portrayed by Taylor-Johnson. Crowe is also set to star in a film about the Nuremberg trials where he will portray Hermann Goring. The cast includes Michael Shannon, Rami Malek and Richard E Grant.
There’s no telling what sorts of projects we can expect to see Crowe in as he has become very eclectic with his project choices. Will he reunite with Scott in a future film? Will he be nominated for an Oscar for a fourth time? One thing remains certain, Crowe has been one of the most reliable talents in Hollywood for the past 30 years, and he is still delivering enigmatic and compelling performances today.
Wonka
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EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
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The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
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Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Zayed Sustainability Prize
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
France v Fiji
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
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More coverage from the Future Forum
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
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The biog:
Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
Pet Peeve: Racism
Proudest moment: Graduating from Sorbonne
What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms
Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s
Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"
Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model
Slogan: The queen of peace, love and positive energy
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Specs%20
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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