Crowe Reaches Settlement With Hotel Worker
LOS ANGELES - Russell Crowe has reached a settlement with a Manhattan hotel employee who claimed the actor threw a phone at him, according to a statement released Thursday by the actor's publicist.
The Academy Award winner allegedly struck concierge Nestor Estrada in June while Crowe was in New York to promote his movie "Cinderella Man," in which he portrayed a boxer.
"Both sides expressed satisfaction at the resolution," the statement said.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The 41-year-old Australian movie star publicly apologized on the "Late Show with David Letterman" shortly after the incident, saying it was "possibly the most shameful situation that I've ever gotten myself in in my life, and I've done some pretty dumb things in my life."
Crowe was angered by a malfunctioning phone at the Mercer Hotel and at 4 a.m. threw it and struck Estrada in the face.
Crowe is married to actress Danielle Spencer and they have a young son together. He was trying to call home to Australia and got mad because the phone wasn't working.
Prosecutors charged Crowe with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon — the telephone. Crowe, who's free on his own recognizance, is scheduled to return to court Sept. 14.
Dr. Dre Hoping To 'Shock' On Next Album
It's been six years since hip-hop legend Dr. Dre's last studio album, and its planned follow-up, reportedly titled "Detox," seems no closer to completion. But one of his key collaborators tells Billboard.com Dre is continuing to work on new music and still plans to release another album, even if it takes several more years to do the job right.
"There will be another Dr. Dre solo album, without a doubt," says bassist Mike Elizondo, who began working with the artist on the 1999 album "Dr. Dre -- 2001" and has since been a fixture on Dre-produced recordings by Xzibit, Eminem and the Game.
"Dre has very high standards," Elizondo responded when asked what is taking so long. "He wants to shock the world and put something out that no one would have ever thought possible from a hip-hop artist. He's definitely going to take his time and make sure it's right, but there will be a collection of songs that will come out as a Dr. Dre solo album."
However, the timetable for finishing the album remains murky. Asked if Elizondo had played on any of the tracks to date, he replied, "We've been working. There's a team assembled and we'll definitely continue moving forward on that."
"Dr. Dre -- 2001" debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Seinfeld a dad for third time
NEW YORK (AP) - Jerry Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, have a new addition to the family.
A son, Shepherd Kellen Seinfeld, was born Monday morning, Seinfeld's publicist, Stephen Rubenstein, said Thursday. The couple, who were married in 1999, have a two-year-old son, Julian, and a four-year-old daughter, Sascha.
"Jerry and Jessica are both thrilled," said Rubenstein. "The baby is great; they are all home now."
The 51-year-old comedian has in the past worked babies into his standup routine: "Make no mistake about why these babies are here - they are here to replace us."
Brad Pitt gets bounty on his head
CALGARY - A pair of Edmonton radio stations have put a bounty on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Sister radio stations K-Rock and 96X have offered $10,000 if Pitt will come alone to one of their stations, an additional $10,000 if he's accompanied by Jolie and $50,000 if Jennifer Aniston arrives as well.
In the unlikely event any of the superstars actually appear, the money will be donated to the charity of their choice.
The stunt has angered the Edmonton acting community and the Edmonton chapter of ACTRA has insisted the station stop the promotion. The production moves to Edmonton for three weeks on Sept. 5.
Rumours abound that Newcap Radio management, owners of K-Rock and 96X, have received a cease-and-desist order from Warner Bros., the company releasing The Assassination of Jesse James.
Rob Mise, operations manager for Newcap Radio, says he hasn't received a cease-and-desist order, but adds "we won't be surprised when it arrives. We have our legal department on standby."
Mise insists his stations aren't doing anything illegal.
"This was always meant as a way to raise money for charity. It's an old radio stunt that has traditionally brought stars to radio and TV stations."
Calgary stations Vibe and CJAY92 have a low-key version of the Edmonton promotion.
Morning man Jerry Forbes says he's offered to "send $5,000 to Angelina's international children's charity if Brad will just phone in and say hello to our listeners. We have had word from people close to Brad that this could possibly happen."
Chad Martin of Vibe 98.5's Poghouse morning show says his station is also willing to donate cash if Pitt calls.
"We're not getting people saying they will try to get Brad to do this," says Martin. "What we're getting are hundreds of e-mails from listeners telling us where they've sighted Brad."