Sorry to turn all TMZ on you, (not that political/social commentary is really anything but celebrity gossip) but reader, "The H-Bomb," (thanks) passed along this story about the actor's apparent generosity:
Saturday night at a birthday party at a house that’s part of the Landslide Community Farm in Pittsburgh, a young street musician was sitting next to a ukulele and a small banjo case in the living room. I’d seen him playing at a previous anti-authoritarian event. He’s most noticeable for kicking an old suitcase for percussions as he plays, sings and dances. He told the story how earlier in the day, he’d been to Pittsburgh Guitars store on the Southside, and was allowed to try out an old four-string banjo that was made in the 1930s. It had a nice sound. The store was a little busy as it approached closing time. A salesperson asked if he planned to buy the banjo. He replied that he couldn’t since he only had about $100 to last him until Christmas. He then hung the banjo back on the wall and went outside, where he was hanging out and talking to some friends. A store person came out and put the banjo and case in front of him. He was baffled until the store clerk explained. The actor Russell Crowe, who is in town making a movie, was in the store, heard the discussion about the banjo and bought it for the street musician. He was gone before anyone could say ‘thank you.”
Now if this report leads to a bunch of people begging Russell Crowe for this or that, I’ll be p***d. But it seemed worth mentioning, and worthy of recognition, that at least one rich guy has the decency to share the wealth a little with someone who appreciated it.
Comments
He's a great guy, most folks are surprised when they hear things like this
as a young man, russell made his living (just barely) for quite a while busking in the streets of sydney, so it's not surprising that he reached into his own pocket to help out a fellow street musician. he's an enormously generous man, which gets ignored by many people involved with the press, but he prefers to keep his generosity private. i'm delighted to see this story! it shows a side of russell which his fans know and love but of which the greater world is largely ignorant.
thanks.
I've been a fan of Russell's for a long time now and he has a big heart. It's not widely known just how much he gives back to his own community and those he visits. Thanks for giving us some good press about our guy :)
Russell's fans know what a generous, giving from his heart, and not for publicity. He never broadcasts what he has done for those in need, he likes to remain unknown. i once read a story about Russell when he was just becoming famous, he walked around with $100. dollar bills in his pocket, and gave them out to the homeless people he ran into. What a wonderful Man, Husband and Father. and as one of his fans for a long time. we know how generous he is.
RustyB
How happy i am to read, for once, nice comments on Russell who is definitively a generous bloke but never talks about it, of course. It's not the first time he's been that generous but the media never tell about it. It's so easy to write nasty (and often false)things. But for those who know him what he did isn't a surprise. It's just him. Thank you Russ.
Seems to me that Russell was "sharing" the music rather than the "[monetary] wealth" - Russell is a lover of music and as such would naturally wish to boost the dreams of a fellow music lover. That's the "wealth" he was spreading.
It's so refreshing to hear these stories of the generosity of those who are in a position to help fulfill a stranger's wish. I believe Russell's kindness will be returned to him twofold. He has made a fellow human being very happy, which in turn should make him feel glad of heart. The gift receiver should, in turn, "pay it forward" when the means and opportunity present itself. That is the honor of generosity.
Crowe is regularly victimized by lazy journos who deal old gossip as fact and can't be bothered with truth or honesty. It's nice to read a genuine story about him for a change. Associates, friends and fans who know him are not surprised to learn of one more act of his long standing spontaneous generosity, but I bet the public is. Thanks.
Thanks for all of your kind words and for pointing out that this isn't some isolated incident. That kind of direct assistance means much more to me than writing some check to some crooked non-profit that buys massage chairs and plasma TVs and gives the change to whoever they purport to help.
While I don't think I'm too good for pop culture, I tend to be behind the curve. To be honest, the only chunk of gossip I could recall about Crowe was his alleged throttling of some photographers, which is fine with me. I would probably not be happy as a famous person, either. But by all accounts, he seems to know where he came from, which is more than you can say for most city folks who move to the suburbs.
On a personal note, Mr. Crowe is also on the short list of male actors that the love of my life considers to be attractive and his fans seem to be alright, too.
awwwww. the love of your life clearly has good taste, and you seem alright, too!
love you russell! you rock!
This is the "Russell Crowe" I always know and believe in my heart and soul for the past twelve years. A gentle soul and a kind-hearted man. He's just so sensitive, a big softy. God loves you, Russ. And I LOVE YOU ALWAYS!! You're the BEST! :D
Never thought any less of Russell Crowe...What a wonderful actor. And so very fortunate to have seen him in action filming in our town.......What a "super sweet man".. Hats off to all the actors-their lives are not as glamorous as it seemingly appears..
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