Did Russell Crowe gain weight because he stopped smoking?

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These are new photos of Russell Crowe at a big announcement in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday. The announcement? He’s just been named the narrator of the remake of Ben-Hur. I know, I know, but wait: it’s not some God-awful Hollywood remake where they cast Orly Bloom’s Dirtlip in the Charleton Heston part. No, it’s going to be a “live theater performance” in Australia, and Russell is going to take part in the live theater event – as the narrator. So, basically, he gets to sit around and eat doughnuts while he watches Orly Bloom act as Judah Ben-Hur live on stage. (Note: I have no idea who is actually going to play Judah Ben-Hur.)

So, is it just me, or does Russell look… a bit chubby? Not fat, mind you, I’m not saying he looks horrible or anything, I’m just pointing out that he looks very puffy in these photos. Russell seemed to give a bunch of interviews yesterday (probably answering questions at this photo call), and he ended up talking about how he just quit smoking. Yep… that’s probably why he’s gained some weight. Good for him for quitting!

Russell Crowe used to smoke so much his six-year-old son called cigarette smoke “daddy smell”.

The 46-year-old actor has two sons with his wife Danielle Spencer, Charlie, six, and three-year-old Tennyson. Russell has been a heavy smoker since he was 10 years old, but quit earlier this year.

He has now been smoke-free for almost two months, and is still marvelling at the way it has transformed his life. He says his young sons were so used to his habit, they thought cigarette smoke was his natural scent, and would often smell it in the street and assume he was nearby and hiding from them.

“Charlie called it Daddy smell. With Dani ,they’d walk past smokers on the street he’d say, ‘Mum, Dads here somewhere (sic),’” Russell wrote on his Twitter page.

Russell found quitting smoking much more difficult than he had anticipated. He posted messages on the social networking site daily for the first week, complaining of “wild dreams”, excess sweating and a hacking cough.

[From Music Rooms]

Yeah, I’m still thinking that he’s gained weight because he quit. His puffiness is probably from drinking too. Yesterday, Starpulse called him out for being “too tubby” and they claimed that there are a flurry of rumors that Russell had to be digitally “slimmed down” in Robin Hood. However, his rep claims those reports are “not true.” Meanwhile, as I look at these photos, I’m reminded of how I gave up my Russell crush for my Gerard Butler crush. They could play brothers, they look so much alike, in my opinion. Dirty moobtastic bastards.

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By the way, I just wanted to throw this photo in here, since we’re talking about men gaining weight – Nick Nolte has certainly put on some pounds, hasn’t he? The difference with Nick is that the extra weight looks really good on him, he doesn’t look so gaunt and strung out. He was photographed on the NYC set of Arthur (the one with Russell Brand). It’s good to seem him working again too!

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Australian actor Russell Crowe talks during a press conference to announce he will join the cast of 'Ben Hur' as the narrator at the Blue Hotel on July 27, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. ANZ Stadium will be transformed into a Roman Amphitheater for the live production that will bring to life the Academy Award winning epic movie of the same title that starred American actor Charleston Heston in October, 2010. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Australian actor Russell Crowe talks during a press conference to announce he will join the cast of 'Ben Hur' as the narrator at the Blue Hotel on July 27, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. ANZ Stadium will be transformed into a Roman Amphitheater for the live production that will bring to life the Academy Award winning epic movie of the same title that starred American actor Charleston Heston in October, 2010. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Russell on July 27, 2010 in Sydney. Nick Nolte on July 24, 2010. Credit for all: Fame.

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22 Responses to “Did Russell Crowe gain weight because he stopped smoking?”

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  1. Mairead says:

    Nah, that’s his ego expanding mate!

  2. Emily says:

    I

  3. Emily says:

    I thought he always chubbed out when he finished a role and didn’t have to be slim? Meh, I’m probably wrong.

    If the ever make another movie about Henry VIII, Russell should send in these photos. Spitting image, apart from a lack of ginger.

  4. Anne de Vries says:

    I don’t care, I thought he looked hot as Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander 🙂

  5. lisa says:

    Russell has that kind of body that will turn to fat if he is not careful. There are a lot of male stars that way. Alec Baldwin, Will Farrell, Vince Vaughn. They just have those bodies.. there are male stars that are the same age that have never been fat or chubby. Always fit. So I guess even men struggle with their weight too..

    Difference is other men will not trash them or go on and on about it. Women who are heavier or thinner will be torn to shreds and talked about in the most nasty terms.. Thus is a big difference in the sexes..

    Women never learn.

  6. Michelle78 says:

    Russell Crow is gross. He’s got the body-type where he needs to watch what he eats and if he doesn’t work out then he will blow up like the Pillsbury Doughboy. He’s a fat slob with a nasty attitude. yuk.

    Anybody see Robin Hood? It had mixed reviews.

  7. jen says:

    I think he looks pretty good, but then again I have a huge crush on Ricky Gervais-so I guess I like chubby-burgers!!

  8. Maritza says:

    He used to be so handsome but good not smoking anymore. Gerard Butler and Russell Crow do no look alike. Nick Nolte does look much better clean and shaved.

  9. Fae says:

    I couldn’t care less what size he is- he’s an actor so it has no bearing on his work so long as the roles are still out there, which they damn well should be. If he was a model it might have some bearing (I suppose) but who gives a shit what size he is? STFU, Starpulse (nobody else, certainly no ass jumping here).

    Also, for my money, I’d rather have a big, hairy proper man than the Situfuckingation.

  10. Meanchick says:

    Did someone say Ricky Gervais? Hotness! Anyway, I notice that the headline didn’t call him any ‘fat names’ they like to give to women who are deemed overweight and thus, unworthy. If he stopped smoking, then kudos! Hey! Here’s an idea, why don’t we worry less about someone elses’ weight, you know, something YOU have no control over?

  11. meme says:

    I love Russell. He’s a MANLY MAN!!! That said, he does need to lose a few pounds and make a decent movie. Robin Hood sucked.

  12. Amanda says:

    That graying grizzle beard does nothing for Russel Crowe. I am a huge Russel Crowe fan, I love all his movies, think he is super sexy, and all that. But, I do have issues when I see pics like this.

  13. Annie says:

    Nick Nolte totally looks like a cartoon character but I cant think of which one!! Someone help me out!

  14. juicyjackie says:

    Me + russell crowe + Gerard Butler = fantasy sex sandwich with a side of mayo ….. they both get better with age its just a shame I wont

  15. Jeri says:

    This weight gain may have something to do with quitting smoking but he has had weight problems on & off for the last 10 yrs or so.

  16. Feebee says:

    He looks like he’s gained weight because he likes his meat pies, sausage rolls and beer.

    Why is this considered a weight problem? If he needs to look 40 pounds lighter for a role he does so. I doubt he thinks it’s a problem when he’s not (40 lbs lighter).

  17. mia says:

    I never notice his body size in movies because his acting is just that good.
    He nailed the character in Body of Lies, he and Leo D. both.

  18. trashaddict says:

    Please do not put scary photos of Nick Nolte in with Russ. It scared me and I almost lost my lunch! It looks like he has a hormonal problem. Crowe may have an ego, but at least (so far) he’s still married, doesn’t beat up his wife, and has two lovely kids. And does the best kissing I’ve ever seen on screen. I’m hoping he’ll play Richard Burton but they’ll have to cast the Elizabeth Taylor role very carefully, you can’t put him with an airhead female lead.

  19. canadianchick says:

    Good for him for quitting. Most people I know who quit eat a bit and then get healthy once the ciggies are further behind them.

  20. curegirl0421 says:

    Yum! I like a man with meat on his bones…

    Better moobs than cigarettes!

  21. mjkbk says:

    Considering the number of Hollywood types who successfully control their weight by smoking, it’s VERY likely that Russell has been putting on some pounds since giving up ciggies. He’s already chubbier than he was for the “Robin Hood” press tour–which was right around the time he went cold turkey. I wish him luck in this very difficult endeavor–and hope that people will care more about his health and longevity than his current appearance.

  22. Liz says:

    So strange – this obsession with actors’ weight ! Crowe looks perfectly fine , healthy and has a great,good natured twinkle in his eyes.
    Do we REALLY expect 45 year old men to look like skinny emaciated boys ? They certainly didn’t in the past.He actually looks just like Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Clark Gable and other top male stars of the past. At least they didn’t have to deal with this absurd preoccupation with “puffiness”.
    I’d love to see ANY of the critical parties here stop smoking and NOT put weight on. But apparently smoking is preferable because it keeps your weight down. What idiotic rubbish!