Russell Crowe marries old flame

“Gladiator” star Russell Crowe married Danielle Spencer Monday in a lavish ceremony in the family chapel at his country ranch, on his 39th birthday.

Spencer, in a gown custom-made for her by Italian fashion supremo Giorgio Armani, was whisked to the ceremony in a motorcade of two black Mercedes, a black pickup truck and two police cars, led by three burly motorcyclists in their wedding best. Armani, also a wedding guest, had dressed the bridal party, including Crowe.

Crowe’s publicist Wendy Day said earlier that the wedding would include about 80 close friends and family members, but no Hollywood stars. Some media reports had put the cost of the wedding at $600,000.

Fast, furious and on his own

New York — Paul Walker said he was angry when Vin Diesel, his co-star in “The Fast and the Furious,” pulled out of the sequel, “2 Fast 2 Furious.”

“I thought we were partners. It hurt my feelings,” Walker told Teen People magazine for its May issue. “But once I stepped back, I realized that I couldn’t take it personally — it’s all about business.”

Diesel chose not to do the sequel after a problem with contract negotiations. His new action movie, “A Man Apart,” in which he plays a DEA agent seeking revenge for his wife’s murder, opened at No. 3 at the box office this past weekend with $11.2 million.

Walker becomes the star in “2 Fast 2 Furious,” opening June 6. He reprises his role as Brian O’Conner, an undercover cop who infiltrated a Los Angeles drag-racing ring in the original 2001 film.

Judge praises Winona’s progress

Beverly Hills, Calif. — A judge commended Winona Ryder on Monday for completing 480 hours of community service at a hospital as part of her sentence on a shoplifting conviction.

Superior Court Judge Elden Fox told the 31-year-old actress during a brief court appearance that she can return to her career, and that he wouldn’t object to her filming outside California, or even outside the United States.

“I want you to continue what you have been doing,” said Fox, noting that he’d received positive reports on her progress. He also told her to continue therapy and to return to court Oct. 10 for a progress report.

The actress, who was arrested Dec. 12, 2001, during a shopping trip to the Beverly Hills store, is on three years’ probation for felony grand theft and vandalism.

Beastie Boys to play benefit for late rapper

The Beastie Boys will play a benefit for the family of late Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay on April 25 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, reports Rolling Stone.

Slotted in one day before their appearance at the Coachella Arts and Music Festival in Indio, Calif., the event will be the Boys’ first gig in the western United States in 4 1/2 years. Former Beasties regular DJ Hurricane is also on the bill.

Jam Master Jay was shot to death last October in his Queens, N.Y., recording studio, leaving behind a wife and three children. Police have yet to find his killer.