Russell Crowe apologizes over toasty car
Submitted by Hollywood Gossip Blog
Written by Black Entertainment USA
Just a bit of quick news. I love positive stories and to speak about the charitable works of entertainers. This turns out to be both.
Russell Crowe started this whole thing off in a negative note. On the set of one the upcoming Robin Hood movie (starring Crowe and Cate Blanchett), one of the boom operators was delayed because her car died. And I mean the car was done - burnt well done according to reports. This left the poor woman bitter and twisted,as she was in deep Rubble. (I think the Brits out there will get that.)
Thus on the set she was complaining about having to buy a new car. This is when Crowe jumped in and let his mouth fly unfettered. Effectively making fun of the situation, and the woman in question. But being a Brit she was undaunted and replied back
Well, I suppose it’s OK for you, Russell. You’ve probably never had to worry about finding five grand for a new car.”
Crowe it seems was put well into his place. And he was definitely reminded of the difference between an A-list entertainer and the rest of us that work too hard for a living. So he decided to apologize. By giving her 5,000 pounds and stating
“There you go. You can buy a 10,000 pound car now.”
For those in the U.S. he roughly gave her $8,100. Which is a nice way to make up for a snide comment.
And for those that think this, and the reputation of generosity that Crowe has on the Robin Hood set, are just a gimmick to get advertising for the film - so far the media reps for Crowe have yet to publicly admit any of this. So it adds a level of the genuine for me.
If its as true as reports state, and considering that Crowe makes between $10 and 25 million per picture, it was very kind of him. An apology that really sticks in the mind. If only all entertainers could get slapped back to reality, and react in a similar manner, when thier egos take over their mouths and actions.
Well at least they have this example to follow.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 am
This story is starting to change, as usual. It was originally reported that everyone on the set was making jokes and generally having some banter about it. (And let’s face it, that is what most colleagues would do.) But now that seems to be turning into a story about Russell being the only one to make a comment…like he was being mean or something.
Kind of him to do something about it. He is noted for being generous and there are lots of reports of big tips to waiters and money given to buskers etc. He hasn’t always been wealthy. He was heavily in debt and struggling to finance his movie career in the USA until he was into his 30’s. So its glib to think he’s somehow never now what it is like to struggle.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
This story is like Chinese Whispers. Too bad that someone somewhere seems to feel it necessary to twist the facts to make Crowe, some way, some how, the Baddy.
The ORIGINAL Mirror article said ““By the time she got to work everyone knew what had happened and she came in for a bit of mickey-taking for driving an old banger.
“Russell joined in with some of it and she took it in good heart. But at one point, after she said about him never having to worry about buying a new car, Russell went quiet and everyone thought that was the end of it.
“Then later in the afternoon he sought Denise out and gave her the five grand.”.
Obviously everyone was teasing her, but she lashed out at HIM. It’s rather silly to think an A-lister was BORN with money ! At an early stage in his career, just like everyone else, Crowe was struggling to make ends meet. I think it’s rather insensitive of her, and I could not have taken his money if I had said what she said.