Russell Crowe has been known for a number of historical roles in his career — from a Roman gladiator in “Gladiator” to a brilliant mathematician in “A Beautiful Mind.” On NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” he brought his talents to bear as Henry VIII — not the real thing but an amazing simulation.
Crowe played the former King of England as a hologram in an interactive history exhibit, “Henry VIII the Experience.”
He was a bit obsessed, however, as the oft-married monarch greeted every woman in the sketch (Vanessa Bayer, Cecily Strong and Aidy Bryant) with a deep-seated desire. “Bear me a son!” he said. “The only sounds I wish to hear from a woman’s mouth are the screams of labor … as you bear me a son.”
“Open your legs and take my seed!”
Crowe/Henry VIII was equally challenged in other ways of interacting in the 21st century. Kenan Thompson, one of the show’s African American players, introduced himself. “My God,” the king said, “a blackamoor! I’ve only seen your kind in paintings!”
Watch Crowe in the height of culturally inappropriate behavior on “SNL” in the video above.