Russell Crowe shocked staff at a British charity shop when he dropped in to donate £1,000 [$1,700]. The 45-year-old actor took a break from shooting upcoming film "Robin Hood" in Sunningdale, Berkshire, to visit a Cancer Research store where he spoke to staff before handing over the generous sum.

A volunteer said: "We couldn't believe it when Russell Crowe came in and gave us the money. We knew he was in the area and we were all hoping to see him, but we never thought we would get quite so close to him."

Russell Crowe is homeless. The 45-year-old actor is reportedly struggling to find a property to rent in west Wales, where he is currently filming Sir Ridley Scott's adaptation of 'Robin Hood'.

Russell is believed to have applied to lease two luxury mansions in Pembrokeshire, and been rejected both times - because wealthy tourists are willing to pay more than him.

Russell Crowe is using a $120,000 gym on the set of his movie to avoid gaining weight. The 45-year-old actor is so desperate to stay svelte while filming "Robin Hood," producers have installed state-of-the-art exercise equipment in his private trailer so he can work out when he is not shooting.

A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Russell is a professional. He knew he was cast to play Robin Hood, not Friar Tuck. He knows he has to stay fit."

Russell Crowe has blasted journalists for "trivializing" news. The New Zealand born actor plays an investigative reporter for his latest role in "State Of Play" and says he has serious grievances about the way news is now reported.

He said: "There is a crisis in serious journalism and it's been created by journalists. We've been trivializing news for at least a couple of decades. The desire for new information, which we could use in a very healthy way, has been replaced by supplying trivia."

Russell Crowe loves curry. The "Gladiator" star has stunned staff and guests at the Pennyhill Park Hotel, Surrey - his base while he is in the U.K. filming "Robin Hood" - by shunning the award-winning catering on offer in favor of the nearby Mogul restaurant where he can get his favorite Indian food.

An amazed guest said: "He prefers a chicken tikka massala to the Michelin-star food at the hotel."