Russell Crowe has revealed what his late friend Steve Irwin would think of Robert Irwin’s run on Dancing with the Stars.
The Oscar-winning actor became close friends with the Crocodile Hunter after meeting in Australia in the 1990s.
Following Irwin’s untimely passing in 2006, Crowe has remained close with widow Terri and his children, Bindi and Robert Irwin.
In a story about Robert published in the New York Times on Sunday, the actor said Steve would be “so impressed” with the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist’s journey in the competition.
“Although Steve could read the rhythms of the seasons and every living creature, he was absolutely not gifted with a sense of musical rhythm,” he wrote.
Actor Russell Crowe (L) and “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at the NBC Studios on November 6, 2003 in Burbank, California. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
“In his hands, a tambourine becomes a deadly weapon.
“I think he would watch Robert dancing and how he uses his body, the strength and poise, and he would be in awe of his son.”
The touching tribute comes after Robert revealed in an Instagram video he wears his dad’s shirt in every DWTS rehearsal to “keep him close to him”
“It just feels like a big hug everytime I put it on.”
Robert reposted an article about Crowe’s kind words onto his Instagram just hours before the competition’s finale, captioned with a simple smiling face and heart emoji.
Robert Irwin reshared an article on Crowe’s words the day of the finale. Credit: @robertirwinphotography/Instagram
The now-champion has spoken on his family’s close relationship with the Gladiator star after Steve’s death in the past, saying he has “known (Crowe) for as long as I’ve been alive.”
“He’s actually been there to, in a way, keep my dad alive — he has so many stories to share of him and my dad, and I feel like I build an even better picture of my dad when I’m around Russell,” he said at the 2025 AFI Fest.
“Russell and dad were just great mates, so it’s a different perspective than when you’re hearing from your mum — he’s someone that I look up to and has truly inspired me.”
