For many, the dreams of a starry Hollywood career initiates from watching the performance of their favorite actors and contributors. On the other hand, a few others get inspired while in the industry and another group of aspirants is handpicked. Cinema veteran Russell Crowe was also one of the handpicked actors. The actor recently revealed Sharon Stone is the real force behind his successful career in Hollywood.

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers - speaking about his early career, the actor said it was Stone who got him an important role in 1995’s anti-western film The Quick and the Dead which she was co-producing.

According to Crowe, it was not easy for Stone to get him the role and she had to fight for it. The 56-year-old said that Stone got into a “sword-fight with male producers” and she told them straightforwardly that she was going to cast the actor who she wanted to as a “love interest kind of thing.”

The film couldn’t turn many heads, proved to be a box office dud – but has certainly launched Crowe’s career into the skies of the industry.

Within a few years of The Quick and the Dead’s release, Crowe went on to star in Hollywood blockbusters and critically-acclaimed projects such as L.A. Confidential, The Insider, and Gladiator.

Crowe's performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator and as mathematician John Nash in Nash’s biographical drama A Beautiful Mind turned his career 360 degrees. Now, after about 2 decades, Russell Crowe is one of the most celebrated actors of Hollywood.

The actor pointed out that without her strong commitment he might not have made this far in the industry. He added - had it not been for her, his struggle to find an American movie could get very long. Speaking about movies and bits of his career, Crowe said, “I’ve got a lot to thank her for.”

The actor’s latest thriller/drama Unhinged has performed fairly well considering the time of release. In addition to Unhinged, Crowe will soon be in the horror movie The Georgetown Project. 

The actor’s struggle was pushed in the right direction by Stone. Pre The Quick and the Dead, Russell only starred in Australian movies – so it was obvious for him to want to make a move to Hollywood and then Stone came to his help.  

Crowe’s words for Stone express his thankfulness to Stone for gearing his career towards the mainstream cinema.