Russell Crowe Explains Why He Owes His Hollywood Career to Sharon Stone

Had Sharon Stone not put her foot down years ago concerning an Australian actor she wanted in her film, Russell Crowe may never have become a household name in American.

While visiting Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday to promote his recent film, Unhinged, Crowe reminisced about the importance of Stone getting him cast in 1995’s Western The Quick and the Dead, on which she was the star and a producer.

“She was in a sword fight with the male producers on the film, and she put her foot down and said, ‘I’m going to hire the person I want to hire as the love interest kind of thing,’” The Oscar-winning actor explained.

Crowe played Cort, a former gunman and outlaw turned preacher in his American film debut. Directed by Sam Raimi, The Quick and the Dead also starred Gene Hackman and Leonardo DiCaprio.

“If it wasn’t her for her strength of commitment, I don’t know how long it might have been before I got an American movie,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to thank her for.”

Stone herself has been in the news as of late when she revealed her sister and brother-in-law’s battle with COVID-19 and criticized those who still refuse to wear a mask in public despite all warnings from health officials.

Watch Crowe’s Late Night segment below.