Winner of the Academy Award in 2001 for his performance in Gladiator and the Golden Globe in 2002 for his starring role in A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe is the hottest actor in movies today. This biography traces his career from rock 'n' roller (he still sings and plays guitar with his band, Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts) to Australian stage, film and TV actor to Hollywood star in movies such as L.A. Confidential and The Insider.
The New Zealand-born, Australian-bred Crowe has attracted controversy with his high-profile love affairs, his open hostility toward the American news media, and his all-around eccentricity. This biography traces his career from rock 'n roller to Australian stage, film, and TV actor, to Hollywood star.
One of Hollywood's hottest properties and the actor whose uncompromising reputation - both on and off the screen - has ensured he is constantly in the public eye, Russell Crowe has a fascinating personal and professional story. From early TV and stage work to career-defining roles in Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator and Nottingham movies, his drive, tenacity and talent have made him a favourite with directors and audiences alike. Much of Russell's early life was spent moving between his native New Zealand and Australia as his parents' film-set catering business gave him an insight in to acting and stoked his fascination of the movie industry. His first taste of fame came in a touring stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was followed with parts in musicals such as Grease and Blood Brothers, before Russell was drawn to more challenging roles and to the screen in Australia, where he starred in his breakthrough film Romper Stomper. Romances with some of the most beautiful women in the world heightened his profile still further. But it is the highly acclaimed, demanding and character-driven roles in pictures such as LA Confidential, A Beautiful Mind and Gladiator for which Russell has established his reputation as a true professional. He has suffered concussions, cracked teeth, a dislocated shoulder and five months as a teetotaller, such is his dedication to his craft. From the action of Master and Commander, to thrillers The Insider and State of Play, and romantic comedies such as A Good Year, Russell is praised for his versatility and has been celebrated by peers at the Oscars, the Golden Globes and the BAFTA. Despite the awards and accolades, however, his love for the remote outback ranch he shares with his wife and young sons, for his band and the various sports teams ans charities he supports reveals Russell as an enigmatic and complex man. Journalist an celebrity biographer Martin Howden goes back to the times Russell Worked as a busker, bartender, fruit picker, bingo-number caller and insurance salesman befor hitting the big time, and explores the truth behind his reputation for having one of the most volatile temperaments in showbusiness.
From his first feature film, The Duellists, to his international successes Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and American Gangster, Ridley Scott has directed some of the most compelling films of the last 30 years. Apart from his work as a film director, Scott has engaged in a vast range of activities, including that as a designer, producer, film mogul, and advertising executive. The Ridley Scott Encyclopedia is the first book that focuses on all aspects of his work in a wide-ranging career that spans nearly 50 years. The entries in this encyclopedia focus on all aspects of his work and are divided into four categories. The first focuses on Ridley Scott's work as a director, encompassing his feature films from The Duellists to Body of Lies, as well as his work in television, including commercials. The second category focuses on the people who have been involved in Scott's projects, including actors, directors, producers, designers, writers and other creative personnel. The third focuses on general thematic issues raised in Scott's work, such as gender construction, political issues, and geographical locations. Finally the encyclopedia incorporates entries on films by other directors who have influenced Scott's approach to his work as a director or producer. Each entry is followed by a bibliography of published sources, both in print and online, making this the most comprehensive reference on Scott's body of work.
Hugh Jackman: A Short Unauthorized Biography is a short unauthorized biography produced from electronic resources researched that includes significant events and career milestones. Ideal for fans of Hugh Jackman and general readers looking for a quick insight about one of today's most intriguing celebrities. This must-read short unauthorized biography chronicles: Who is Hugh Jackman Things People Have Said about Hugh JackmanHugh Jackman is BornGrowing Up with Hugh JackmanHugh Jackman Personal RelationshipsThe Rise of Hugh JackmanSignificant Career MilestonesHugh Jackman Friends and FoesFun Facts About Hugh JackmanHow The World Sees Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman A Short Unauthorized Biography is one of the latest short unauthorized biographies from Fame Life Bios. Check it out now!
“The definitive history of the studio” created by the larger-than-life team of Spielberg, Geffen, and Katzenberg (Los Angeles Times). For sixty years, since the birth of United Artists, the studio landscape was unchanged. Then came Hollywood’s Circus Maximus—created by director Steven Spielberg, billionaire David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, who gave the world The Lion King—an entertainment empire called DreamWorks. Now Nicole LaPorte, who covered the company for Variety, goes behind the hype to reveal for the first time the delicious truth of what happened. Readers will feel they are part of the creative calamities of moviemaking as LaPorte’s fly-on-the-wall detail shows us Hollywood’s bizarre rules of business. We see the clashes between the often-otherworldly Spielberg’s troops and Katzenberg’s warriors, the debacles and disasters, but also the Oscar-winning triumphs, including Saving Private Ryan. We watch as the studio burns through billions of dollars, its rich owners get richer, and everybody else suffers. LaPorte displays Geffen, seducing investors like Microsoft’s Paul Allen, showing his steel against CAA’s Michael Ovitz, and staging fireworks during negotiations with Paramount and Disney. Here is a blockbuster behind-the-scenes Hollywood story—up close, glamorous, and gritty.
Gene Hackman (b. 1930) has been described as the best actor of his generation. During almost half a century as an American film, television and stage actor, film producer and author, he was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning the Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and the Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992), as well as three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs. This study examines his film work in detail, with a filmography/videography included.
John William Ferrell was born and raised in a sleepy suburb of Irvine, California. Although the eldest son of Roy Lee Farrell Jr., keyboardist for The Righteous Brothers, Ferrell describes his childhood as painfully normal. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Sports Information, Ferrell soon realized that his true calling was doing what he loved: making others laugh. He then moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in comedy. Ferrell's career was slow to take off, but soon he was performing with the improvisational comedy troupe, The Groundlings. His talent was easy to spot, and it wasn't long before he caught the attention of Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of Saturday Night Live, where he rose to become the highest-paid cast member in the history of the show. After a seven-year tenure, Ferrell left Saturday Night Live in order to pursue a full-time film career. Since then, he has been hard at work and has a long list of movie credits to show for it. This unauthorized biography explores Ferrell's career from his humble beginnings as a struggling actor in Los Angeles to the legendary superstar he has become today.
The long road to Hollywood success was never easy for Mexican-born beauty Salma Hayek-but it was never dull either! Starting out in her late teens starring in the Mexican hit soap opera Teresa, Salma lived a comfortable life, but she wanted more. So she packed her bags and headed to Hollywood. A Mexican woman with a heavy accent who barely spoke a word of English, Salma had hurdle after hurdle to overcome. Plenty of times she came close to giving up, but she was determined to make it big in America, and after a lot of bit parts and hard work, she did it. After landing a role in Desperado, alongside heart-throb Antonio Banderas, the movie parts finally started coming in, including From Dusk Till Dawn with George Clooney, and Fools Rush In with Matthew Perry. Now, gracing the style pages of all the major magazines and working as a Revlon spokesperson, Salma is the most sought-after Latina actress in Hollywood. And that's just the beginning. She has several huge movie projects on the horizon, and continues to fight for Mexican rights as an outspoken member of the NAFTA generation. Find out all about this talented Latina actress, from her love life, to the formula of her success, to her fabulous fashion and beauty secrets.
TWO HOT TO HANDLE Thanks to the explosive popularity of Fox’s hit television show The O.C., actors Benjamin McKenzie and Adam Brody are men on the move. Their jaw-dropping good looks and impressive talent have catapulted them to the top of the It-list, making them two of Hollywood’s hottest hunks. If you want to know how these gorgeous guys arrived in Orange County, look no further. The Boys of Summer gives you the complete 411 on Benjamin McKenzie and Adam Brody–hometown histories, dating dilemmas, and favorite pastimes. Find out about Ben’s adventures in New York City as he pursued his passion for acting. Discover the other projects Adam has tackled, including Gilmore Girls and the horror flick The Ring. And, of course, get all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the set of The O.C. Ben and Adam have just begun to unleash their talent–stay tuned and see what lies ahead!
