Explaining Russell Crowe

Actor Chalks Up Phone-Throwing Incident To Temper, Believes Tendency Is Vital To His Health

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Nov. 5, 2006. It was updated on June 28, 2007.

If Russell Crowe is not the best movie actor working today, he is certainly their equal. He already has one Academy Award for best actor in "Gladiator," and has been nominated two other times for "A Beautiful Mind" and "The Insider." Besides being intelligent, well read and incredibly talented, the 42-year-old Australian can also be volatile, combative, even a bit menacing.

So it was with some trepidation that Steve Kroft sat down with Crowe to discuss his life, his career and his reputation as one of Hollywood’s bad boys. He doesn’t do television interviews that often and when he does he speaks his mind, even if it gets him in trouble.

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Doing TV interviews is not one of Russell Crowe's favorite things to do. He says it's "very artificial."

"I can sit here and have a conversation with you and whatever mood it is that you want it to be, it's what it's gonna be, you know? Regardless of what my answers are. And of course, we all know the power of editing. Because we have both got careers based on, probably, the power of editing," Crowe explains.

"You can control the mood of the interview as much as I can," Kroft points out.

"Do ya want to sell me some shoes, now?" Crowe replies.

"You've really established yourself as a great actor. I mean, it's been, whether we're talkin' about Academy Awards, or Academy Award nominations. The range of the roles that you’ve played…," Kroft continues.

"Can I just say 'thank you' and we finish the interview?" Crowe asks Kroft. "'Cause it's going really well, so far."

Asked what makes him such a great actor, Crowe says, "You know, if I thought I was any good at it, I probably wouldn't put as much effort as I do into it, you know?"

"That effort's what sets you apart, isn't it? I mean that effort is what makes you successful," Kroft asks.

"I think so," Crowe agrees. "Yeah, or that's the way I see it, anyway. I know, without that effort, I wouldn't be."

He built his career brick-by-brick with memorable performances and was already a major movie star in Australia, when he burst upon the Hollywood scene nearly a decade ago in "L.A. Confidential."

Whether he is playing a middle-aged whistleblower in "The Insider," a schizophrenic genius in "A Beautiful Mind," or a gladiator, he always goes the extra mile, even if it involves bruises and fractures doing his own stunts, or improvising dialogue for his character Maximus with director Ridley Scott. They only had 21 pages of the "Gladiator" script when they began shooting.

"I wanted to come up with this sort of two-word thing that Max would say to people, when they left their company, you know. Or when he greeted them. And I came up with "fortes honore," alright," Crowe recalls. "And Ridley's standing there and like, 'Oh, fortes honore, what the f--- does that mean?' And I said, that means 'strength and honor.' And he goes, 'Say that. Right, rolling!'"

The role brought him an Oscar, along with a level of celebrity and public scrutiny that he is uncomfortable with. He is a perfectionist who demands a lot of himself and everyone around him. He’s still upset that his last film underperformed at the box office and blames the studio for the way it was promoted. He calls it his favorite role and wanted an Academy Award nomination and more people to see it.

"Do you feel the constant need for approval? Do you get nervous if people aren't showering you with honors?" Kroft asks.

"Not with honors, no. Do I feel in a odd way that there should be some kind of understanding between me and an audience now that if I've done the movie, regardless of the subject matter, you should turn up 'cause it's gonna be a good film? I know that's kind of wacky to say that," Crowe says. "But, yeah, I do feel that. I do feel after, you know, 'L.A. Confidential,' 'The Insider,' 'Gladiator,' 'Beautiful Mind,' 'Master and Commander,' 'Cinderella Man,' there should be some understanding between me and the audience that, you know, if I've done it. One, I've put a lot of effort into it. And two, there's something about it that'll touch your heart."

But the spontaneity that serves him so well in front of the camera frequently gets him in trouble away from it. He’s known for making brash comments and boorish behavior. And he’s the first one to admit that he has neither the discipline nor the desire to correct it.

"I'm not Machiavellian. I don't play chess with my life, ya know. I respond in the moment which is what makes me a good actor. It makes me sometimes a good interview subject. But it also makes me a very easy target," he explains.

[stezzer]

Just look at the picture accompanying the article. What a wazzock!!

[donnie900]

Besides, its not your job, journalist. To make policy. Thats what this 24 hour news stuff has done. Introduced this commentary that turns reporters into supreme court judges.

Even in a jail cell.. If someone invited you for an interview in their jail cell. You should apply the universal conditions of respect!

And he's right about all the lawsuits. People can't even get into fist fights anymore? Thats bullshyyt.

[donnie900]

The media provokes most of the stuff these actors and actresses do. And not just actors and actresses, but regular people too. You're not supposed to be scrutinized this way. At least not innocent people. And this stuff has been going on way way before the Bush administration. A tabloid curiosity in everything thats overly judgmental, and unconcerned for privacy.

Maybe there's no such thing as media transparency, but thats what I thought professional journalism to be. And if a media is overly critical of people, how does it ever expect to get any exclusive from anybody?

Consider everybody a despot. And when they invite you in their homes, you treat them with respect, as a guest.. and not an intruder.

[shanev137]

He's just another actor. Big deal. I really don't get why people insist on making actors and actresses Gods. LOL. Geez, come on, just because someone makes $11 million a picture for faking like they're someone else doesn't make them a noble person.

[crowefan]

RUSSELL IS HOT!! HE IS MY FAVORITE ACTOR, AND I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED SEEING HIM IN PERSON DURING HIS CONCERT IN AUSTIN A FEW YEARS BACK. NOT ONLY IS HE A GIFTED ACTOR, BUT HE HAS A GREAT VOICE AS WELL. AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED HEARING HIS BAND PERFORM, I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE STORIES HE TOLD IN BETWEEN SONGS ABOUT HE AND HIS BROTHERS.

RUSSELL IS ONE COOL GUY, AND DANIEL IS ONE LUCKY LADY!!

[luetta3]

The mere look on Russell Crowe's face during this interview is an indication to me that he is not only lost in his celebrity, but truly the meaning of life. He displays such a lack of interest in the meaning of life and love by his actions without regard for the other person's feelings. Having lost a brother to schizophrenia, I appreciated the role that he played in Beautiful Mind. After watching this interview, as I see it now, he displays no emphathy, but rather is only acting a role. He should find himself in the midst of the madness, not react to it. I would share this with him if we met "The Grace of the Guru is like an ocean. If one comes with a cup he will only get a cupful. It is no use complaining of the ************* of the ocean. The bigger the vessel the more one will be able to carry. It is entirely up to him" Ramana Maharshi

[ttpoker]

Russel's attitude about the incident at the Mercer Hotel was disgusting, its time for the truth to come out - Russel was upstairs with another women when they transfered a call to his room from his wife. he came downstairs and flipped out because the staff didn't protect him from an embarrassing situation. Thats why he threw the phone, he was caught with another woman.

CBS News should investigate my claim, everyone who was there knows this to be the truth.

[kiwigirl2-2009]

I am a New Zealander currently living in New York City and like Mr. Crowe I find that there are cultural differences between myself and my neighbors. However, for Mr. Crowe to imply that in Australia people who have a telephone thrown at them are more likely to accept a handshake and an apology rather than instigate a lawsuit is disingenuous to say the least. I lived in Australia for 5 years before coming to the US and I never met anybody there (or in New Zealand) that would accept such outlandish behavior as a quirk of personality. Mr. Crowe indicated that he is undisciplined in some respects, perhaps it is time for him to join the rest of us and act in a restrained manner when faced with difficult situations. Its called growing up.

[aussies4you]

There are strong personalities in every walk of life. Mr. Crowe just happens to be in front of the camera, so we see more of him. Big deal, so he has a temper. My dad has a temper. I have a temper. Having worked in film production for several years, I've experienced quite a few strong personalities. Passion can't be pigeon-holed. Sometimes it gets out of one's control. You love him when his passion creates a strong and moving performance, but then you hate his passion when it affects or is exhibited in reality. My passion is still in it's developmental stages; no longer in film production, I am working on the never-ending screenplay. Mr. Crowe's passion is finally paying off, and I will take to heart that he puts everything he has into his films. I have seen what actors (and directors) can do and I am thankful for their talents. Best of luck! Melissa in Texas

[maccar555]

Crowe is an arrogant, but talented b ast ard. But that is not my problem. I can choose to watch him or not. And in response to his comment about our legal system - stay out. This is our system and nobody is exempt. Ask Paris. I suggest that he grow up and put his physically abusive temper away before it affects his wife and children. Temper tandrums are don't count as parenting skill in any country.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.