Russell Crowe

Birth Details:
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 Officer Bud White in L.A. Confidential -- and he's followed it up with one meaty, risky role after another. Nominated for an Oscar for best actor for 1999's The Insider, Crowe's role as Maximus in 2000's Roman-era epic and smash hit Gladiator again took audiences by storm and garnered Crowe an Oscar win for best actor. He was nominated yet again in 2001 for A Beautiful Mind and gained 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, don't 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 Crowe's 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 Crowe's 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 actor's reputation as being, well, a bit hard to handle. Crowe likely understood his role in Gladiator instantly; Aries is symbolized by the Ram, and those born under its influence tend to use the Ram's energy to butt heads with anyone and everyone who gets in their way.

Russell Crowe's Tarot Reading

Crowe's Mercury, the planet of communication, lies in steadier, earthier 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 aren't going the way he'd like. He has also 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 Crowe's 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 he's not willing to wait. Could this intensity and impatience help explain his pulling the pistol on that poor movie crew member? Probably so!

His Venus resides in Gemini, an air sign given to mercurial changes of mood and fancy; this signifies that he's an individual who may find it hard to settle down, though it seems he's conquered that tendency, what with his marriage to fellow Aussie actress, Danielle Spencer, and the brith of their two children. With his Venus in chatty, airy Gemini, he is sure to be charming, friendly and witty.

As Venus rules money as well as love, its position in Gemini in his chart may mean that Crowe has a tendency to spend those Australian dollars a bit frivolously. No matter; if he can just wrangle his explosive temperament, this Hollywood star is sure to keep securing plum, plenty-well-paying roles well into the future.

Birth data source: www.imdb.com