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!

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.

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!

"Half of all marriages end in divorce--and then there are the really unhappy ones." --Joan Rivers Do you suppose that the person who first said "Life is stranger than fiction" might have had Hollywood marriages in mind? Why watch a romantic film starring a leading man and a leading lady when their real-life romances are so much more interesting? It seems that a celebrity's latest film can have a considerably longer life span in the theater than his or her marriage du jour. One would almost think that Tinseltown has come to embrace divorce as an accepted pastime. Some celebrities have seemingly collected spouses over the years, systematically adding notches in their belts of divorces. Cases in point: Zsa Zsa Gabor (nine), Lana Turner (eight), Elizabeth Taylor (nine), and Mickey Rooney (eight). This list appears to make Jennifer Lopez a mere novice with only three marriages, two divorces, and one terminated engagement to date. In The Hollywood Book of Breakups, James Robert Parish looks at scores of hot Hollywood romances that eventually fell apart. From the decade-long union of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to the "just-for-show" nuptials of Rock Hudson and Phyllis Gates to the four-and-a-half-year marriage of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston to the "other woman" divorce of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, Parish covers it all--from the burning embers to the fizzling fires of Hollywood breakups. You couldn't make this stuff up--and James Robert Parish doesn't need to. Hollywood writes its own drama when it comes to scandalous breakups.

Traces the life and career of Ansel Adams, including his childhood in San Francisco, his marriage and affairs, his relationship with the Native Americans of Yosemite, and the influences on his photography and painting of western landscapes.

Andrew Morton uncovers the true story of the biggest celebrity of our age. Everyone knows Tom Cruise—or at least what he wants us to know. We know that the man behind the smile overcame a tough childhood to star in astonishing array of blockbusters: Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, several Mission: Impossible movies, and more. We know he has taken artistic chances, too, earning him three Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. But beyond that, the picture becomes a bit less clear... We know that Tom is a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology. We know that, despite persistent rumors about his sexuality, he has been married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes. But it was not until he jumped on Oprah's couch to proclaim his love for Katie and denounced Brooke Shields for turning to the "Nazi science" of psychiatry that we began to realize how much we did not know about the charming, hardworking star. For all the headlines and the rumors, the real Tom Cruise has remained surprisingly hidden—until now.