Divorcing Russell Crowe will sell pieces of Pittsburgh
Australian actor Russell Crowe and his soon-to-be ex-wife, actress Danielle Spencer, are selling off a few things in an amicable online auction titled “The Art of Divorce” that includes at least two pieces of Pittsburgh.
One is the Pirates jacket Mr. Crowe wore as the character John Brennan in the prison-break sequence of the 2010 movie “The Next Three Days,” which was filmed in Pittsburgh over about two months the previous year. (Post-Gazette reviewer Barbara Vancheri referred to the character’s fandom in her review.) Mr. Crowe’s description notes, “It’s the one John Brennan reverses to blend into the crowd” with the gray side out.
The other item is a Steelers scarf Mr. Crowe wore as the reporter Cal McAffrey in 2009’s “State of Play.” That movie was shot elsewhere — California and in and around Washington, D.C. — but his character’s nickname was “Yunzer.”
In its Wednesday story about the Sotheby’s auction, Vanity Fair noted that “Pittsburghers should pay special attention” to the lots from those two movies. “Both Steelers and Pirates black-and-yellow are well represented among the items.”
But searches of the auction site turn up only the jacket and the scarf and no other items with obvious Pittsburgh ties.
The auction site notes that each will be, “Accompanied by a letter from Russell Crowe stating his ownership.” The jacket is estimated to sell for $500 to $1,000 and the scarf for $50 to $100.
Otherwise, the “highly personal” Russell Crowe Collection “comprises important paintings by some of Australia’s most significant historic, modern and contemporary artists, furniture, movie memorabilia, musical instruments, watches and sporting memorabilia,” according to Sotheby’s. There are many items from the couple’s collection celebrating the sport of cricket.
The auction will be held in Sydney on April 7, a “date of particular significance as both the actor’s birthday and wedding anniversary.”
Check out the online auction catalog at https:// www.sothebysaustralia. AU0822?rm=list&page=1.