Russell Crowe receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Russell Crowe's star shone bright despite dark rain clouds threatening his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.

The New Zealand-born, Australian-raised actor was honoured with the 2404th star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Avatar's Sam Worthington, US talkshow host Jay Leno, director-producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazier and Crowe's wife Danielle and sons Tennyson, three, and Charles, six, attended the ceremony.

Hollywood named the day "Russell Crowe Day".

"Thanks for the privilege. I'll always be grateful for it," Crowe told the crowd of more than 500, including numerous Australians wearing his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs jumpers and caps.

Los Angeles' famed sunshine was not on show and, with rain threatening, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce held the ceremony under a tent.

Leno joked that Crowe sought divine intervention.

"It was pouring rain this morning and Russell Crowe made one phone call. The sun has come out," Leno told the crowd.

Crowe's star sits on the footpath outside the home of the Oscars ceremony, the Kodak Theatre, next to stars belonging to Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins and Martin Scorsese.

The ceremony was held ahead of the release of Crowe's next film, Robin Hood, co-starring Australia's Cate Blanchett.

- AAP