Maximum Russell Crowe
Scrapbook: 2002

Academy Award Nominees Luncheon, March 11, 2002

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(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

(AP Photo / Kevork Djansezian)

(Above captures thanks to Neicie)

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Russell (behind the hand holding slide) and Denzel Washington share a friendly hug at the luncheon

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(See Russell at the luncheon in 2001 here and 2000 here.)

Laura Ziskin, who is producing this yearâs Oscar show, used the occasion to brief the nominees on what to expect come Oscar night. Because the awards will be held in a new venue ÷ the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland ÷ she cautioned everyone to arrive early. She suggested that everyone 'dress up' and to break in any new shoes ahead of time, and she warned against acceptance speeches that are just lists of thank-yous. "We want to know what it feels like to win an Oscar," she said ÷ while sternly urging her charges to limit their speeches to 45 seconds. To underscore that point, Ziskin gave each of the nominees a miniature silver hourglass that marks exactly 45 seconds.

Bad boy and best-actor contender Russell Crowe made fun of himself at the Oscar nominees luncheon Monday and brought down the house.

''I was thinking I might do some poetry for you,'' he told a crowd of reporters gathered to hear what the volatile Aussie might come up with next. He then launched into an off-color limerick.

He was referring to an incident last month in London when he received a BAFTA award for his role as Nobel-prize winning mathematician John Nash in A Beautiful Mind. A poem he recited during his thank-you speech was not aired during the awards, prompting him to shove the show's producer.

Crowe's cause this time around was a bigger one: defending Nash's honor and denouncing the mudslinging that has become more pronounced as the Oscar campaign winds to a close.

''We have to examine the amount of money we're spending on these campaigns, which takes things to a different place,'' Crowe said. ''This is supposed to be about the joy of filmmaking.''

Recent reports have surfaced that Nash had made anti-Semitic remarks and that those, along with his out-of-wedlock child and sexual encounters, were intentionally left out of the film.

''To quote the sort of things John Nash was saying in the middle of his hospitalization and at a point where he was absolutely overtaken by schizophrenia . . . is beyond irresponsible,'' Crowe said. ''This is a fellow who thought he was getting messages from aliens through The New York Times. He also thought himself the governor of Antarctica. He was a very sick man.''

. . . Even the often-surly Russell Crowe made points by patiently signing autographs outside. As one guest noted, 'Russellâs known for being nice to fans -- and then thereâs his other reputation.'"