Bright Candles On The 40th Birthday Cake
Sun Herald
Sunday April 4, 2004
RUSSELL Crowe will celebrate his 40th birthday on the Toronto film set of the movie Cinderella Man.
It is a mark of the man that he will be working on a film he likes. And it is a mark of his position in the industry that he can do so.
Crowe, who considers himself both an Australian and New Zealander, is in Canada, filming Cinderella Man with director Ron Howard and actress Renee Zellweger .
The film, written by Akiva Goldsman , screenwriter for Crowe's hit movie A Beautiful Mind, is based on New York boxer Jim Braddock .
Crowe's 40th is a significant milestone in his career. But instead of being troubled about his future as an actor, like some men who have starred as action heroes or celluloid hunks, Crowe has carved a complex career, playing everything from lover and friend to hero.
Because he is now able to choose his roles, turning 40 makes Crowe's on-screen presence even more personal.
There's no doubt turning 40 has personal and professional resonance for him. At their wedding reception,his wife, Danielle Spencer, told guests she hoped Crowe would be a father by the time he was 40. Her wish came true with the birth of their first son, Charles, in December.
The baby has been fiercely shielded from the press, but Crowe has spoken of his desire to raise his son as he was, travelling between countries with his film-catering parents, Alex and Jocelyn.
But he is adamant Charles will stay close to dad.
``He's coming with me. I think it's a great benefit to experience the gypsy life ," said Crowe,at the DVD release of Master And Commander. ``As long as his mother and I have created a loving and nurturing environment around him I think that's what he needs more than anything else," he said. ``However, school age is a different thing and I very much intend to be picking him up from the school gates every day."
© 2004 Sun Herald
