Danielle Spencer wishes ex Russell Crowe ‘some happiness’ on his 57th birthday after father’s death

Russell Crowe’s ex-wife Danielle Spencer has dedicated a heartfelt tribute to the actor on his 57th birthday, as he continues to grieve the death of his father. 

Danielle, who was married to the actor for nine years, took to Twitter on Wednesday with two throwback photos of herself and Russell posing with their family in happier times, alongside a special birthday message.

‘It has been a very tough & sad week for the Crowe family. Wishing you some happiness on your birthday today Russell [love heart emoji, rose emoji],’ the actress wrote.  

‘Wishing you some happiness’: Danielle Spencer, 51, dedicated a heartfelt 57th birthday tribute to her ex-husband Russell Crowe on Wednesday as he continues to grieve the death of his father. Pictured together in 2011 

In one photo, a fresh-faced Russell and Danielle were pictured embracing their sons Charles and Tennyson in the bleachers of a sports stadium, while another showed Russel dressed up in his iconic Gladiator costume.      

Danielle and Russell, who met in 1989 on the set of the film The Crossing, married in April 2003 at the actor’s farm in Nana Glen, New South Wales.

They separated in 2012 and finalised their divorce six years later. 

Bittersweet: 'It has been a very tough & sad week for the Crowe family. Wishing you some happiness on your birthday today Russell [love heart emoji, rose emoji],' the actress Tweeted

Bittersweet: ‘It has been a very tough & sad week for the Crowe family. Wishing you some happiness on your birthday today Russell [love heart emoji, rose emoji],’ the actress Tweeted 

How they were: Danielle Tweeted this  throwback photo of herself and Russell embracing their sons Charles and Tennyson in the bleachers of a sports stadium

How they were: Danielle Tweeted this  throwback photo of herself and Russell embracing their sons Charles and Tennyson in the bleachers of a sports stadium

Fond memories: Another showed Russel posing with his sons, dressed up in his iconic Gladiator costume

Fond memories: Another showed Russel posing with his sons, dressed up in his iconic Gladiator costume

Danielle had also shared a tribute to her former father-in-law last week on Wednesday, posting on Instagram that John Alexander would be greatly missed.

Uploading throwback photo of her two sons posing with their grandfather, Danielle wrote: ‘Sadly, my boys lost their grandfather yesterday. Alex (Pop) Crowe, you were much loved and will be greatly missed.’     

Russell announced his father’s death on Tuesday afternoon, describing him as the ‘most gentle of men’ in a series of tweets.

History: Danielle and Russell, who met in 1989 on the set of the film The Crossing, married in April 2003 at his farm in Nana Glen, New South Wales. They separated in 2012 and finalised their divorce six years later

History: Danielle and Russell, who met in 1989 on the set of the film The Crossing, married in April 2003 at his farm in Nana Glen, New South Wales. They separated in 2012 and finalised their divorce six years later

John died on a regional Qantas flight from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, despite airline crew desperately trying to keep him alive.

The Cinderella Man star wrote: ‘I arrived back in the bush last night. 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.

Tribute:  Danielle shared a tribute to her former father-in-law last week on Wednesday, posting this throwback photo of her two sons with their grandfather

Tribute:  Danielle shared a tribute to her former father-in-law last week on Wednesday, posting this throwback photo of her two sons with their grandfather 

‘I’m posting this because I know there are people all over the world who’s heart he touched and who’s ribs he tickled with his sparkly eyes and his cheeky attitude to everyone, and everything, and this is probably as efficient a method as any to pass on the news.’

Prior to John’s death, the pair were isolating together at the family’s country estate in Nana Glen, New South Wales, with Russell revealing he wanted to be close to his parents John and Joceyln amid the pandemic.

Crowe Sr. was born in 1936 in New Zealand and died on arrival in Coffs Harbour, his home for the last 25 years.

The star’s father was part of Russell’s inspiration for entering the film industry: the family moved from New Zealand to Sydney when Russell was four years old, with his father and mother Jocelyn pursing careers as movie set caterers.

In addition to being part of a catering business with his wife, Crowe Sr. also worked as a hotel manager. 

RIP: John Alexander (pictured with his wife) died at the age of 85 on a regional Qantas flight from Sydney to Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast last week on Tuesday

RIP: John Alexander (pictured with his wife) died at the age of 85 on a regional Qantas flight from Sydney to Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast last week on Tuesday