In a bizarre continuation of one of late-night television’s most eccentric running gags, comedian and television host John Oliver has once again found himself in possession of the athletic supporter worn by Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe during the production of the 2005 boxing drama Cinderella Man. This development marks the third time that the Last Week Tonight host has acquired the prop, extending a comedic narrative that began nearly a decade ago during a high-profile celebrity auction and has since traversed international borders, charitable fundraising campaigns, and unconventional public stunts.
The latest acquisition was revealed during a recent broadcast of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, where Oliver addressed the situation while drawing a humorous comparison between the high-stakes responsibilities of federal agencies and the eclectic legacy of his own satirical news program. The ongoing saga of the memorabilia highlights a unique intersection of celebrity culture, philanthropic fundraising, and the unpredictable nature of internet-era comedy.
The Origin: The Art of the Divorce Auction
The story of the infamous undergarment dates back to April 2018, when Russell Crowe hosted a massive auction titled The Art of the Divorce at Sotheby’s Australia in Sydney. The event was organized following the formalization of Crowe’s divorce from his ex-wife, Danielle Spencer, after years of separation. The auction featured more than 200 items representing significant pieces of Crowe’s personal history, film career, artwork, and various collectables.
Among the high-value lots—which included leather jackets worn in Gladiator, fine art pieces, and musical instruments—was the leather athletic supporter Crowe wore while portraying heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock in Ron Howard’s critically acclaimed 2005 film Cinderella Man.
Ahead of the auction, Crowe expressed mild bewilderment at the immense public interest surrounding the item. In an interview with the British television program Good Morning Britain, the actor noted that the jockstrap had unexpectedly emerged as one of the most popular attractions in the catalog.
"It was my jock strap when I won the heavyweight championship of the world as the character James J. Braddock in the film Cinderella Man," Crowe explained during the broadcast. "I put it in the collection as a piece of whimsy and a bit of a gag. Funny enough, it’s garnered a lot of attention."
The auction ultimately surpassed expectations, raising millions of dollars in total sales. However, the athletic supporter captured the specific imagination of John Oliver and the production team behind Last Week Tonight, setting the stage for a multi-year comedic back-and-forth.
Chronology of the Jockstrap Saga
The journey of the Cinderella Man memorabilia involves a complex timeline of purchases, donations, auctions, and reunions:
- April 2018: John Oliver’s production team participates in The Art of the Divorce auction, purchasing Russell Crowe’s jockstrap for $7,000, alongside other eclectic items.
- April 2018: Recognizing an opportunity for a promotional stunt, Oliver ships the jockstrap to the last remaining Blockbuster Video store in Anchorage, Alaska, in an effort to boost foot traffic and business for the struggling brick-and-mortar establishment.
- Summer 2018: Despite the boost from national media coverage generated by the jockstrap’s display, the Anchorage Blockbuster permanently closes its doors.
- Late 2018: Following the closure of the Alaskan store, the jockstrap is returned to Oliver and his production team. Crowe temporarily joins Oliver in a televised sketch featuring the item.
- 2025: Last Week Tonight staffers place the jockstrap back on the auction market to raise funds for public television and radio stations. An anonymous bidder purchases the item for $21,000.
- August 2025: The item reappears at a separate auction house. An unknown buyer acquires it for $10,000, which is later revealed to be John Oliver’s team reclaiming the prop.
- Fall 2025: Oliver publicly confirms the reacquisition during an episode of Last Week Tonight, bringing the prop out on set for the studio audience and viewers at home.
Philanthropic Impact and Community Response
While the narrative surrounding the jockstrap has provided substantial comedic material for late-night television, the various transactions have also generated tangible benefits for charitable organizations and public institutions.
Following the initial 2018 auction, Russell Crowe publicly stated that the proceeds from the sale of the jockstrap and related items would be donated to the Australia Zoo, operated by the Irwin family. The zoo subsequently announced that the funds would be utilized to establish and finance a dedicated research and treatment facility named the "John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward," aimed at combating a disease that poses a significant threat to Australia’s koala population. The unconventional naming agreement became a recurring comedic touchpoint on Last Week Tonight.
Subsequent iterations of the jockstrap’s journey have continued to leverage its peculiar celebrity status for charitable causes. When the production team auctioned the item in 2025, the proceeds were directed toward supporting public media outlets, reinforcing the notion that the absurd prop had evolved into an unexpected philanthropic vehicle.
The Latest Revelation and Public Reception
During a segment on a recent episode of Last Week Tonight centered on the operational mandates and high-stakes environment of the United States Secret Service, Oliver reflected on the legacy of his television program in contrast to institutions charged with safeguarding national history.
"If [they] fail, it can change the course of history, a level of pressure I truly cannot fathom," Oliver remarked to the studio audience. "I’m pretty confident the historical legacy of this show will be a few hundred thousand dollars for food banks, a koala chlamydia ward, and whatever the fuck is going on with Russell Crowe’s jockstrap right now."
Detailing the most recent turn of events, Oliver explained that after auctioning the item to support public media earlier in the year, the prop had inexplicably resurfaced at an auction in August. Driven by a mix of institutional curiosity and comedic obligation, the production team placed a successful $10,000 bid to bring the artifact back into their custody.
Upon displaying the item on air once again, Oliver addressed the weathered leather garment directly, expressing bemusement regarding its future trajectory: "I cannot wait to find out where you’re gonna go next."
Broader Cultural Implications of Celebrity Memorabilia
The enduring fascination with the Cinderella Man jockstrap reflects a broader cultural phenomenon surrounding celebrity memorabilia and the peculiar economy of Hollywood artifacts. Items associated with major motion pictures routinely command substantial sums at auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Prop Store, driven by fan nostalgia and collector demand.
However, the intersection of celebrity property sales with satirical television has introduced a novel dynamic to the market. By transforming a mundane, albeit intimate, piece of cinematic wardrobe into a nomadic comedic prop, Last Week Tonight has repeatedly disrupted the traditional lifecycle of celebrity memorabilia, turning a one-time auction transaction into an ongoing serial narrative that continues to capture public attention.
