Russell Crowe shares touching message about father following his death

Gladiator star broke the news to his fans

Russell Crowe has paid tribute to his father after returning home to Australia following his death.

John Alexander Crowe died aged 85 earlier this week, and the Gladiator star broke the news on Twitter with a moving message.

“I arrived back in the bush last night,” he wrote. “Today, although the sun is shining and the torrential rain has abated, this date will forever be tinged with sadness. My dear old man, my beautiful dad, the most gentle of men, has passed away.”

Crowe, a New Zealand citizen who has lived most of his life in Australia, added: “I’m posting this because I know there are people all over the world whose heart he touched and whose ribs he tickled with his sparkly eyes and his cheeky attitude to everyone, and everything.

He described Twitter “as efficient a method as any to pass on the news”.

Read more:

• Viewers react to controversial new Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy
• Jennifer Love Hewitt forced to fend off ‘gross’ media questions about her breasts as a teenage actor
• Louis Theroux says Tiger King star Joe Exotic is in ‘an extraordinary situation’ 
• Seth Rogen ‘corrects’ comments he made about Emma Watson ‘storming off’ set

His father, who was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, died in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, which Crowe said had been his “home for the last 25 years”.

Shortly after posting the tribute, he changed his Twitter profile photo to a picture of his parents.

The Oscar winner, who was recently cast in Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder, was sent many well wishes from his fans and friends.

These included Anthony Hopkins, 83, who replied: “Dear friend, sending you my deepest condolences. Everyday I ask myself, “what’s it all about?” Love, Tony.”