It was left to Russell Crowe, the Academy Award-winning actor and John Laws’ good mate and neighbor, to bring a touch of irreverence to the conventional state funeral held in the broadcaster’s honor on Wednesday.
In the rarefied atmosphere of Sydney’s St Andrews Cathedral, Crowe traversed Laws’ unmistakable talent and loyalty, but also his political views and his role in the 1999 cash-for-comment scandal.
Crowe also revealed Laws gave his son a bottle of bourbon at his first birthday party.
“The card read: ‘To Charlie from John’,” Crowe said. “I opened it. It was a bottle of Wild Turkey. Now that was pretty much when the afternoon tea ended and the party truly began.”
known as “the Golden Tonsils” for his mellifluous baritone and seven decade-long career, Laws died on 9 November, aged 90.
Russell Crowe speaks during the state funeral. Photograph: Getty Images
laws’ famous golden microphone was placed on his coffin during Wednesday’s service.
in his eulogy, Paul Warren said his friend of 55 years was more than just an exceptional broadcaster: “He could do just about anything. He wrote songs, he sang them, he made albums, he appeared in films, and he even popped up on Skippy.”
“He could sell anything from Valvoline to Toyotas – beyond that, he was a poet, a passionate music promoter, proving time and time again that there was very little he couldn’t do and do extremely well,” warren said
“At his peak, he had over 2 million listeners, and he won 92 radio surveys in a row … He interviewed 16 prime ministers and numerous premiers.”
One of those prime ministers, John Howard, was among more than 800 mourners, along with former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, and the state governor, Margaret Beazley.
Russell crowe delivers Moving Eulogy for Former 2GB Host Ray Hadley
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Russell Crowe delivered a heartfelt and insightful eulogy for veteran radio broadcaster Ray Hadley at his funeral on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The actor, a long-time friend of Hadley, spoke of the complex persona the radio host presented to the public, acknowledging the frequently enough-controversial opinions he voiced while emphasizing his underlying kindness. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/19/russell-crowe-ray-hadley-funeral-eulogy-2gb
The funeral, held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, was attended by a large gathering of media personalities, politicians, and friends, reflecting Hadley’s significant impact on Australian broadcasting.
The Performer and the Person
Crowe revealed that Hadley had jokingly prepared him to deliver the eulogy, suggesting he pretend to be speaking “off the top of his head.” He quipped, “it’ll take a bit of acting. Let’s see how I go.It’s kind of like cash for comment, but less obvious.” This self-aware humor alluded to past controversies surrounding Hadley’s on-air commentary.
However, Crowe’s central message focused on the dichotomy between Hadley’s public persona and his private character. He addressed the seeming contradiction of a broadcaster known for “invective laden opinion” who consistently ended his show with the message, “be kind to each other.”
Crowe explained that hadley viewed himself as an entertainer, not a journalist, and that his on-air persona was a performance. “Poetically, he woudl finish every debate with the same tagline, same mantra to let you know his true priorities as a person,” Crowe said. “The performance for today was at a close. The show was done. Be kind to each other.”
A Kind Man Behind the Microphone
Ultimately, Crowe emphasized Hadley’s genuine kindness and generosity. “My good friend was a very kind man,” he stated, offering a poignant tribute to the man behind the often-fiery public image.
Ray Hadley enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Australian radio, primarily with 2GB. He was known for his strong opinions, direct interviewing style, and dedication to covering news and issues affecting everyday Australians. https://www.2gb.com/news/radio-legend-ray-hadley-dies-aged-86/ He passed away on November 17, 2024, at the age of 86.
Key Takeaways
* Russell Crowe delivered a moving eulogy at ray Hadley’s funeral.
* Crowe highlighted the contrast between Hadley’s public persona and his private kindness.
* Hadley viewed himself as an entertainer, not a journalist, and embraced the performance aspect of his role.
* The funeral was well-attended, demonstrating Hadley’s significant impact on Australian media.
Ray Hadley’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to be debated and discussed, but Russell Crowe’s eulogy offered a powerful reminder of the man behind the microphone – a kind and complex individual who left an indelible mark on Australian broadcasting.
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