Russell Crowe Is Auctioning Off Dinosaur Bones He Bought From Leonardo DiCaprio, ‘Cinderella Man’ Jock Strap, and More
Zack Sharf
Russell Crowe is marking the end of his marriage to Danielle Spencer by holding a giant auction in which more than 200 items will be sold off, because that’s just what famous movie stars do when they get divorced. The auction is backed by Sotheby’s and even has an official celebratory title, “The Art of Divorce.” The auction includse everything from artwork and collector’s items to Crowe’s personal film memorabilia from his nearly three decades as an actor.
Perhaps the strangest item being auctioned off is the fossilized head of a dinosaur that Crowe purchased from none other than Leonardo DiCaprio in December 2008. The two actors had become friends during the making of Ridley Scott’s “Body of Lies,” which was released two months before the transaction took place. The fossil is the skull of a Mosasaur (Platecarpus ictericus), a giant marine reptile that became extinct 65 million years ago.
According to Sotheby’s listing, the Mosasaurs were “formidable hunters, with a double-hinged jaw and a flexible skull enabling them to eat their prey whole.” The fossil was found in the Niobrara Formation in Kansas. The buyer of the fossil will also receive a letter of ownership from Crowe. The price is estimated between $35,000 and $40,000.
Another unusual item being auctioned off is the jock strap Crowe wore during the making of Ron Howard’s “Cinderella Man,” in which the actor played Depression-era boxer James J. Braddock. The jock strap was featured in the scene depicting the Heavy Weight Championship between Braddock and Max Baer. The strap is estimated at a cost between $500 and $600 dollars.
Crowe is also auctioning off the stunt cuirass he wore during his “Gladiator” death scene ($20,000-$30,000), a violin played by his character in “Master of Commander” ($110,000-$140,000), Denzel Washington’s seat back from the set of “American Gangster” ($400-$500), and the blue wool vest he wore as Javert in “Les Misérables” ($1,500-$2,000), among many other items.
“The Art of Divorce” will be held April 7, which happens to be Crowe’s birthday and his former wedding anniversary with Spencer. For the complete list of items being auctioned off, head over to the official website here.
