8 Milestones in the Evolution of Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe tries his best at counterprogramming this weekend with his new prison break thriller, The Next Three Days. But how did Crowe get to the point of bankable action star after his debut on an Australian television series? You can always trace a direct line through a handful of roles (not necessarily his best roles, mind you) to illustrate what led to an actor's current success, and with Crowe, that line twists through soap operas, cop dramas, thrillers, and, of course, one fateful Oscar night. Let's look at eight performances -- including one of his earliest -- that trace the evolution of Russell Ira Crowe.

The Young Doctors (1977)

The Young Doctors ran from 1976-1983 in Australia, producing 1396 episodes. In at least one of these episodes, a future Oscar winner would guest star a young boy who is inappropriately touched by a female nurse. (OK, I have no idea if that's what's going on, but it's still kind of creepy.)

Neighbours (1987)

Like several American daytime institutions, the evening soap opera Neighbours is still running strong in Australia. The series is a virtual breeding ground for future big-name entertainers: Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Alan Dale and, briefly, Russell Crowe. Look for Pearce, his future L.A. Confidential co-star, in this clip, too.

Romper Stomper (1992)

Crowe's first leading film role -- as an Australian Neo-Nazi gang leader -- would also provide his first brush with international acclaim. Romper Stomper toured the film festival circuit, and soon Crowe would be, for better or worse (for worse if you deny the man a phone or a speech; better if you're a writer for South Park), unleashed upon the world. Crowe would win Best Actor for Romper Stomper, as voted on by the Australian Film Institute.

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