Russell Crowe Says Sons are ‘Absolutely Different’

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As he has alluded to in the past, Russell Crowe’s two sons are complete opposites — as are, apparently, the 44-year-old actor and his wife Danielle Spencer. During a Friday appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly, Russell revealed that 4 ½-year-old Charlie is a "deep thinker" who is often immersed in puzzles and books, just like his mom. "I’ve heard him on more than one occasion say something along the lines of football is really stupid," Russell joked. Two-year-old Tennyson, on the other hand, is "obsessed with anything with wheels" and — like his father, who owns a rugby league team in Australia — already showing a love of athletics. "When football is on, he actually gives me a little sparkly-eyed look," Russell explained. "He’s connecting with that." The recent Olympic Games in Beijing were a big hit with Tennyson, as well; The family often sat down to watch the coverage over dinner, and now several months later, Tennyson still asks for "’lympics! ‘lympics!" when it’s time to eat.

"There’s something about sport and active things that are really attractive to him. [The boys] are absolutely different."

Russell also offered some insight into the naming process for the couple’s sons. Charlie was a family name on both sides, making it an easy choice. With Tennyson, however, the couple were free to be a bit more creative. Danielle — who loves to push Russell’s buttons, he says — knew it would need to be "something significant" in order for it to resonate with her husband, so she came to the table armed and ready … to have a little fun at Russell’s expense! 

"She said, ‘What do you think of Tennyson?’ My first question was ‘What does it mean?’ And she was totally ready for me. She said, ‘Second born son of a loving father.’ I went, really? She said, ‘No, it means son of Dennis.’"

Russell’s latest film Body of Lies is in theaters now.

Source: Live with Regis and Kelly