Gladiator star Russell Crowe is renting a new LA pad - and it's Tom Cruise's old house. The Oscar winning actor could be splashing out as much as $125,000 a month on the Beverly Hills mansion - the price the home was recently listed for.
But while Cruise and wife Katie Holmes kept a low profile behind the large iron gates, Crowe happily strolls round the neighborhood with his family and visits the local park.
Aussie Crowe, 43, is living in Los Angeles for three months while he films new movie State of Play alongside Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren. Crowe replaced Brad Pitt in the role of Cal McCaffrey after the Fight Club star left the projects over complaints about the script.
It can now be revealed that he is living in Cruise's former mansion, which is nestled in a leafy part of Beverly Hills, close to the celebrity homes of David and Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez. The 10,000 square foot pad was built in the 1920s, with stained and leaded glass windows and crown moldings.
The Tudor-style stone house, with a slate roof, is built on four acres of land with a long private driveway and motor court that can park more than 20 cars. The house also features extensive gardens, a green lawn the size of a football field and a proper English rose garden with a large fountain.
The Beverly Hills home has extensive movie history. Not only was it the place rented by film legend Tom Cruise for years, it was also used to film scenes from movie Blow. In the 2001 flick, the sprawling mansion was owned by Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz's characters.
While Cruise, who has since moved round the corner, rented the home for $75,000 a month, the property has recently been listed for a massive $125,000 a month. But real estate sources believe the kid-friendly property will suit the Beautiful Mind actor down to the ground. "Tom made numerous renovations during the years that he rented the Beverly Hills home," the source said.
"He put in a home theater so he could screen movies and he turned the guest house into a children's playroom for Suri.
"The house also has a large swimming pool at the back, which is perfect now the LA weather is warming up.
"The home may be pricey, but it's clearly perfect for a family man."
Crowe has been spotted walking around the neighborhood on numerous occasions with his wife Danielle Spencer and their sons Charlie and Tennyson.
An eyewitness said: "It's so unusual to see so much activity from that place.
"When Tom lived there you never saw him - unless it was in a blacked out SUV.
"Russell just comes and goes as he pleases - on foot - and visits the local park with his family.
"He is clearly a fan of the neighborhood and wants to make the most of the three months he has here."
By Joanne Clements, Feb 14 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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