Celebrity Russell Crowe Fondly Recalls Michael Jackson's 'Funny' Prank Calls The actor says the King of Pop would disguise his voice in the calls By Aili Nahas Aili Nahas Aili Nahas is the West Coast Deputy News Editor at PEOPLE. She is also the TV deputy in Los Angeles as well as the Weddings Editor. Aili has spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry and 12 years at PEOPLE. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 23, 2015 05:45 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage; Phil Dent/Redferns When Michael Jackson calls, you pick up the phone. At least that’s what the King of Pop hoped would happen when he would place frequent prank calls to Oscar winner Russell Crowe. “It’s funny,” Crowe fondly recalls of late music legend’s antics. “Most of the time Michael would be speaking in a rough voice,” the actor tells PEOPLE. “[He’d say], ‘This is the hotel, you have to get out,’ and I’d say, ‘Who is this?’ and he’d say, ‘Oh don’t worry, Russell, it’s Michael!’ He [told me] straightaway. I didn’t have to guess who it was or what was going on because he always wanted to have a chat afterwards.” Says Crowe of Jackson, who died in 2009, “I’ve always told that story with great affection because I’ve always felt that he must have recognized something in me that trusted I wouldn’t be bothered by it.” Crowe, 51, next stars in and directs The Water Diviner, out April 24. For more from Crowe, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday