Russell Crowe in Acropolis Now

Before Russell Crowe conquered Hollywood, he popped up in one of Australia’s most beloved sitcoms, Acropolis Now. In Season 3, Episode 5 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Greeks), Crowe plays Danny O’Brien, a sensitive soccer player set up on a blind date. In this scene, Danny is pursued by Effie (Mary Coustas), the unstoppable cousin of cafe owner Jim (Nick Giannopoulos). Crowe's role is small, but it gives us an intriguing glimpse into his early screen presence. He plays Danny's fear of Effie with expert comic timing and nicely sets up the arrival of scene-stealer Coustas. Acropolis Now was celebrated for its blend of slapstick humour and cultural commentary. The scene relies on cultural stereotypes and broad gags, but still delivers because of the delicious contrast between Effie’s boldness and Danny’s timidity. It’s easy to see why Effie became a cultural icon – and why this cameo is a fun piece of trivia in Crowe’s rise to fame.