Explaining Russell Crowe

Actor Chalks Up Phone-Throwing Incident To Temper, Believes Tendency Is Vital To His Health

(CBS)  Asked what he thinks his reputation is, Crowe says, "From a public point of view, you know, it's a some sort of like nightmare presence on a film set, you know, where everything must revolve around me. In the reality and the reason that I work with the type of directors that I do is that I'm [a] 100 percent reliable lieutenant who is there to serve the needs of the story to the best of his ability and these two things are completely different – completely different, you know? Yeah, so I think my reputation is something that I'll probably try to spend the rest of my life living it down and it probably won't work, you know? I don't know. I just get on and work with the directors who still wanna, you know, take the big risk of working with such a madman."

And some of the best seem perfectly willing to do it. Ridley Scott is finishing up "American Gangster," his third film with Crowe. The second is a romantic comedy called "A Good Year," about a tycoon who inherits a vineyard in Provence.

"Explain Russell Crowe," Kroft asks Ridley Scott.

"How long have you got?" Scott jokes.

Asked if Crowe is complicated, Scott says, "That’s what makes him tick. Russell is complex. And make no mistake about that usually the best ones are complex, intelligent, take no prisoners. You gotta be prepared to go to war with Russell."

One of the things that upsets Crowe the most is the idea of being of being stereotyped and pigeon-holed in the media, by reporters who don’t really know him.

"You can smell it coming from a mile away, man. You know? When somebody’s only asking you questions to put you in a little box so it actually suits what they’ve already decided in their own mind about you," Crowe explains.

"The media label that seems to stick is Hollywood bad boy," Kroft notes. "What comes along with that is the boozing, brawling, at times womanizing. Not recently."

"Holy s---," Crowe replies.

Asked how much of that is myth, Crowe says, "Well, I've had the odd night on the tipple. I've definitely had a few times in my life where I felt that I needed right then and there to fight for my honor or somebody else's and I do love the ladies, Steve. I mean, what do you expect me to say?"

"You know, I'm absolutely married. I have two beautiful children and I hope to have a third one. But, probably don't bring that up with the wife just yet," Crowe adds.

At the time of the interview, Crowe's latest child was only 11 weeks old. "Yeah, it's probably a little too premature to be bringing up number three with her just right now and, you know, for a lot of that stuff that you're talking about, you know, past is past, you know? I don't have the leisurely time that I have used to have to go out with my mates and get on the drink, you know?" the actor tells Kroft.

After months of loneliness on the set of "Master and Commander," Crowe married his long time ex-girlfriend, Australian actress Danielle Spencer in 2004, but it would be premature to say he has mellowed. They are making their life in Australia where Crowe owns a rugby team, and a ranch outside Sydney.

Kroft wanted to know what he had to say about Hollywood.

"You want a one word answer? Employment," Crowe says.

"I wanna read you one quote. And of course, you can completely disown it," Kroft tells Crowe. "'Maybe it's better I don't travel to America. Maybe it's better I don't work in the area of the business that attracts so many flies.' That's a little more blunt than you just…."

"You got any footage of me to the courthouse in Manhattan?" the actor asks.

"Probably," Kroft replies.

"That's my answer," Crowe replies.

The occasion Crowe was talking about was a court appearance in 2005 in which he entered a plea of guilty to third degree assault. It followed an incident at the Mercer Hotel, in which Crowe threw a telephone at a desk clerk because he was unable to complete a phone call to his wife in Australia.

"It was a $160 fine, Steven. So, it wasn't important as 200 press people turning up to a courthouse with a, ya know, trying to bash my wife in the head with their cameras. Falling over each other, cameramen jumping on top of each other and trampling each other on the ground. It wasn't that important, mate," Crowe says.

"Where I come from, a confrontation like that, as basic and simple as that would have been satisfied with a handshake and an apology," he adds.

[stezzer]

Just look at the picture accompanying the article. What a wazzock!!

[donnie900]

Besides, its not your job, journalist. To make policy. Thats what this 24 hour news stuff has done. Introduced this commentary that turns reporters into supreme court judges.

Even in a jail cell.. If someone invited you for an interview in their jail cell. You should apply the universal conditions of respect!

And he's right about all the lawsuits. People can't even get into fist fights anymore? Thats bullshyyt.

[donnie900]

The media provokes most of the stuff these actors and actresses do. And not just actors and actresses, but regular people too. You're not supposed to be scrutinized this way. At least not innocent people. And this stuff has been going on way way before the Bush administration. A tabloid curiosity in everything thats overly judgmental, and unconcerned for privacy.

Maybe there's no such thing as media transparency, but thats what I thought professional journalism to be. And if a media is overly critical of people, how does it ever expect to get any exclusive from anybody?

Consider everybody a despot. And when they invite you in their homes, you treat them with respect, as a guest.. and not an intruder.

[shanev137]

He's just another actor. Big deal. I really don't get why people insist on making actors and actresses Gods. LOL. Geez, come on, just because someone makes $11 million a picture for faking like they're someone else doesn't make them a noble person.

[crowefan]

RUSSELL IS HOT!! HE IS MY FAVORITE ACTOR, AND I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED SEEING HIM IN PERSON DURING HIS CONCERT IN AUSTIN A FEW YEARS BACK. NOT ONLY IS HE A GIFTED ACTOR, BUT HE HAS A GREAT VOICE AS WELL. AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED HEARING HIS BAND PERFORM, I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE STORIES HE TOLD IN BETWEEN SONGS ABOUT HE AND HIS BROTHERS.

RUSSELL IS ONE COOL GUY, AND DANIEL IS ONE LUCKY LADY!!

[luetta3]

The mere look on Russell Crowe's face during this interview is an indication to me that he is not only lost in his celebrity, but truly the meaning of life. He displays such a lack of interest in the meaning of life and love by his actions without regard for the other person's feelings. Having lost a brother to schizophrenia, I appreciated the role that he played in Beautiful Mind. After watching this interview, as I see it now, he displays no emphathy, but rather is only acting a role. He should find himself in the midst of the madness, not react to it. I would share this with him if we met "The Grace of the Guru is like an ocean. If one comes with a cup he will only get a cupful. It is no use complaining of the ************* of the ocean. The bigger the vessel the more one will be able to carry. It is entirely up to him" Ramana Maharshi

[ttpoker]

Russel's attitude about the incident at the Mercer Hotel was disgusting, its time for the truth to come out - Russel was upstairs with another women when they transfered a call to his room from his wife. he came downstairs and flipped out because the staff didn't protect him from an embarrassing situation. Thats why he threw the phone, he was caught with another woman.

CBS News should investigate my claim, everyone who was there knows this to be the truth.

[kiwigirl2-2009]

I am a New Zealander currently living in New York City and like Mr. Crowe I find that there are cultural differences between myself and my neighbors. However, for Mr. Crowe to imply that in Australia people who have a telephone thrown at them are more likely to accept a handshake and an apology rather than instigate a lawsuit is disingenuous to say the least. I lived in Australia for 5 years before coming to the US and I never met anybody there (or in New Zealand) that would accept such outlandish behavior as a quirk of personality. Mr. Crowe indicated that he is undisciplined in some respects, perhaps it is time for him to join the rest of us and act in a restrained manner when faced with difficult situations. Its called growing up.

[aussies4you]

There are strong personalities in every walk of life. Mr. Crowe just happens to be in front of the camera, so we see more of him. Big deal, so he has a temper. My dad has a temper. I have a temper. Having worked in film production for several years, I've experienced quite a few strong personalities. Passion can't be pigeon-holed. Sometimes it gets out of one's control. You love him when his passion creates a strong and moving performance, but then you hate his passion when it affects or is exhibited in reality. My passion is still in it's developmental stages; no longer in film production, I am working on the never-ending screenplay. Mr. Crowe's passion is finally paying off, and I will take to heart that he puts everything he has into his films. I have seen what actors (and directors) can do and I am thankful for their talents. Best of luck! Melissa in Texas

[maccar555]

Crowe is an arrogant, but talented b ast ard. But that is not my problem. I can choose to watch him or not. And in response to his comment about our legal system - stay out. This is our system and nobody is exempt. Ask Paris. I suggest that he grow up and put his physically abusive temper away before it affects his wife and children. Temper tandrums are don't count as parenting skill in any country.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.

[dmakar-2009]

I have an old friend who met Russell Crowe one time and his only comment about him was "Arrogant."

I think he strongly displays this on television in conversations with journalists.

Sad to see such talent in the wrong image.