New Idea April 22/06

Daddy Russell Tamed

Danielle gives Russell the ultimatum in a bid to finally "tame" the bad-boy star.

Russell Crowe has been given a stern warning by his wife - cut down on his partying or face the consequences.

Danielle Spencer, 35, who is currently pregnant with his second child, has told the gad boy he needs to slow down for the sake of their family.

'Russell finds it very difficult to control his temper and this is usually heightened when he has been drinking too much,' a film source says. 'Over the past year Russell has been taking his rock star image a bit too far. Danielle has told him he needs to calm down and gain more control.'

Her ultimatum comes after a string of embarrassing incidents of Russell. His phone throwing attack on New York hotel clerk Nestor Estrada landed him on probation, and January he threw a tantrum when the soundproofing at one of his concerts wasn't up to scratch.

'Danielle is fed up with his bad-boy image,' the source says. 'She's asked him to have more control in the future. Cutting down on alcohol, taking a deep breath and being less impulsive is a huge part of that.'

Russell recently admitted that his outburst in New York inspired him to write a song, which he performed at the Royal Childrens Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

This will certainly help establish his image of the generous family man.

Danielle, who got together with Russell in 1990 during the making of The Crossing, has stood by the tempestuous star during his dark years of loutish, borrish and juvenile behaviour.

Now, after a heartfelt plea from his wife, Russell has promised to pay her back by being a loving and devoted husband and also a dedicated fun-loving father.

'Russell realizes he was a lousy on-off boyfriend to Danielle for a dozen years, until he finally proposed,' and LA insider says.

'He's desperately trying to make up for his mistakes by becoming the perfect husband. 'Her happiness is the most important thing in his life now.'

In an attempt to be the quintessential family man, he even ordered steamy love scenes with French beauty Marion Cotillard to be toned down in his new film A Good Year.

'He didn't want this wife to see him making love to another woman on screen,' the source says. 'He also wanted his kids to enjoy the movie one day, without being embarrassed.'

Russell is desperate to prove to the world he's a perfect family man and his dark days are over. Recently he shocked listeners of the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Sydney's 2Day FM by revealing he hadn't spent his 42nd birthday in the pub, but instead gave his two year old son Charlie a ride he'll never forget.

'We went up to the Coffs Harbour farm, ' the proud father said, 'Charlie sat on the horse with Daddy for the first time in his life.

'It was very cool.'

The farm at Nana Glen holds a special place in Russell's heart. It was here that he and Danielle chose to celebrate their wedding.

To prove how much he loves his wife, who is due to give birth in late June, he's made plans to surprise her with a glittering gift and romantic night out for her 36th birthday on May 16.

Russell always wanted more than one child and was thrilled he learnt Danielle was pregnant again. 'Russell now believes he has the perfect family unit' the source says.

It's not just tantrums that have got Russell in trouble with Danielle. His rather colourful love life has also raised eyebrows.

Starting with Sharon Stone while filming The Quick and the Dead, Russell's rampage included flings with Heather Graham and Amber Smith, a co star in L.A. Confidential.

Meg Ryan ever left Dennis Quaid for Russell while filming Proof of Life.

When Meg dumped him six months later, Danielle was waiting to pick up the pieces.

He was then caught with rocker Courtney Love after the 2001 Golden Globes. Two month later the night before he took Danielle to the Oscars - he was seen kissing Courtney while Danielle waited in his limousine.

Danielle is hoping that with her support, Russell can turn over a new leaf and leave his tantrums in the past.

Thanks, Janea