CROWE ACTIVE

Name and occupation: Russell Crowe, actor. Provenance: Australia. Age: 33. Frightened audiences in:Romper Stomper (playing a deranged skinhead) and Virtuosity (playing an even more deranged serial killer). Soon to be playing the good guy in:L.A. Confidential, with Kim Basinger. and Breaking Up, with Salma Hayek. Have you forsaken the outback for Hollywood? "Tve got a little property out in the bush with horses and cows and chickens and stuff like that." That makes for quite a commute: "I'm very privileged. I just get on the plane and go to work, but I also know where I come from." Are there characters or roles you aspire to play? "When I was younger 1 wanted to play Moliere or Shakespeare, but with the big onslaught of Shakespeare in the last few years in the cinema. I've lost interest. I think it's a real waste of energy to covet things." Speaking of coveting, how about Kim Basinger? "How about Kim Basinger! Kim is just a phenomenal actress. We treated each other with a great deal of respect and affection."

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