Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Celebrity

Inside Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe's love story

"The marriage ended, but that didn’t mean our friendship ended." - by Rebecca Sullivan
  • 31 Aug 2020

Divorce is often messy and painful, particularly in Hollywood, but Aussie superstars Russell Crowe, 56, and Danielle Spencer, 51, have given their A-list peers a blueprint for how to conduct an amiable split while still remaining friends.

WATCH: Meet Danielle Spencer's new man!

{title} Play

{title}

{duration}
Hailey Baldwin Sent an Emotional Message to Critics of Her Relationship with Justin Bieber Play

Hailey Baldwin Sent an Emotional Message to Critics of Her Relationship with Justin Bieber

1:13
Vanessa Hudgens Is ‘So Proud’ of ‘Brave’ Sarah Hyland: ‘She’s One of the Strongest Women I Know’ Play

Vanessa Hudgens Is ‘So Proud’ of ‘Brave’ Sarah Hyland: ‘She’s One of the Strongest Women I Know’

0:42
Why Leonardo DiCaprio Was Ordered to Hand Over an Oscar to Federal Authorities Play

Why Leonardo DiCaprio Was Ordered to Hand Over an Oscar to Federal Authorities

1:36
Kim Kardashian Owes Kris Jenner for Getting Her to Quit Ecstasy for Good Play

Kim Kardashian Owes Kris Jenner for Getting Her to Quit Ecstasy for Good

1:06
Sofia Richie 'Knows' Kourtney Kardashian Isn't Her 'Biggest Fan' and Tries to 'Deal': Source Play

Sofia Richie 'Knows' Kourtney Kardashian Isn't Her 'Biggest Fan' and Tries to 'Deal': Source

2:35
See Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' 7-Tier Wedding Cake Inspired by the Palace Where They Wed Play

See Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' 7-Tier Wedding Cake Inspired by the Palace Where They Wed

1:08
Demi Lovato and Clothing Designer Henry Levy Show PDA While Grabbing Dinner in L.A. Play

Demi Lovato and Clothing Designer Henry Levy Show PDA While Grabbing Dinner in L.A.

1:01
Dwyane Wade Trades Basketballs for Bottles in Sweet Instagram Play

Dwyane Wade Trades Basketballs for Bottles in Sweet Instagram

1:01
Jennifer Aniston Says Her Marriages to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux Were 'Very Successful' Play

Jennifer Aniston Says Her Marriages to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux Were 'Very Successful'

1:33

How did Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer meet?

The former couple met in 1989 on the set of the film The Crossing and began an on-and-off again relationship for several years, before tying the knot in 2013 at Russell’s property in Nana Glen, NSW.

They had two sons together, Charles, 16, and Tennyson, 14, before separating in 2012. Yet it took years for the pair to finally sign on the dotted line, with their divorced formally finalised in 2018.

Image: Supplied

Russell and Danielle played young lovers in the film The Crossing.

Image: Supplied

Danielle herself says the pair have been “in and out of each other’s lives” for years, adding it was important to both of them to maintain their friendship together, even after the romance had faded.

“Obviously, I want to be on the best of terms with Russell,” she told Sunday Style in 2015.

“We have kids together, we’ve been friends since we’ve been teenagers. We’ve been on and off and in and out of each of other’s lives for a very long time.

“So, ending up in a place where we’re not friends, or we’re not able to get together for the kids and do things like the premiere or Christmas morning, or things that are very important for the kids, I think that would be a really sad place to end up.”

Image: Getty

The couple remained friends, even after their marriage ended.

Image: Getty

In June 2020, Danielle told Stellar magazine she still considers Russell a member of her family.

“We have a lot of respect for each other and I consider him to be a member of my family,” she told the publication.

“The marriage ended, but that didn’t mean our friendship ended. We’ve had holidays together in the past and we can happily sit down and chat.”

Image: Getty

"We can still happily sit down and chat," Danielle says.

Image: Getty

On his part, Russell says the love and respect between the pair will never go away.

“I’ve loved Danielle Spencer since 1989 – that's never going to change – and that's one of those things where I stare at her and go, 'How did this fail?' I still can't work it out, because my feelings for her have never changed,” he told the Sunday Times in 2015.

He even gave fans a hint that the pair could rekindle their love, adding: “Once I commit to something, I stick with it, so you never know.”

Image: Getty

Will they ever get back together?

Image: Getty

But as any divorced parents can attest, navigating the co-parenting waters with your former spouse can be tricky.

Danielle confesses she put her acting and singing career on hold when the couple’s sons were young, as Russell’s booming Hollywood career required him to be away from home for extended periods of time.

"It was difficult because I always felt that to keep our family together both of us couldn't be working and there came a point where I had to prioritise the kids, where they needed to be and their schooling,” she told Stellar. 

"Obviously Russell’s career was going gangbusters and I just felt like, 'This is not my time.' I absolutely love being a mother and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I didn’t feel I could prioritise my career for a while there. The kids needed a parent who was present," she added.

Image: Getty

Russell and Danielle pictured with the couple's two sons, Tennyson (left) and Charles (right).

Image: Getty

Now, Charlie and Tennyson split their time between their two parents. But there is one week every year when Russell gets to spend uninterrupted quality time with his kids, and it’s a period he cherishes.

"As you know, I'm divorced now, and like many other blokes who are out there listening, I have limited time with my kids. I don't get to wake up with them everyday," he told Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa in January 2020.

"And I get then every year between December 27 and January, so if you expect me to do anything, anything, I don't give a sh-- what it is in that time that doesn't include my children, well you can go and whatever," he said.

Who are Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer dating now?

While neither have ever re-married, Russell has been linked to a string of gorgeous women, including the daughter of mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, actor Sophia Forrest.

Danielle is now with her partner of four years, author Adam Long.

Image: Getty

Danielle Spencer with her partner, author Adam Long.

Image: Getty

“It’s going very well. He’s a very kind, gentle soul,” Danielle gushed to Stellar when asked about her man.

“We have a lot in common and we understand each other. It’s a very easy relationship and we get along very well.”

Image: Getty

"We get along very well," Danielle says of her relationship with Adam.

Image: Getty

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer officially divorced

Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer officially divorced

Inside Gladiator star Russell Crowe's love life

Inside Gladiator star Russell Crowe's love life

Danielle Spencer: "What my sons think of me stripping off!"

Danielle Spencer: "What my sons think of me stripping off!"

Every celebrity who's donated to the Australian bushfires

Every celebrity who's donated to the Australian bushfires

{headline}

{headline}

Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett speak out about Australian bushfires

Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett speak out about Australian bushfires

Kyle and Jackie O dish on their rudest celebrity guest ever

Kyle and Jackie O dish on their rudest celebrity guest ever

Sam Burgess 'flees to Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe' after split with wife Phoebe'

Sam Burgess 'flees to Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe' after split with wife Phoebe'

{headline}

{headline}

Russell Crowe is apparently set to help Rabbitohs get $6million

Russell Crowe is apparently set to help Rabbitohs get $6million

FILM REVIEW: Boy Erased

FILM REVIEW: Boy Erased

Sienna Miller and Seth MacFarlane join the cast of Roger Ailes series

Sienna Miller and Seth MacFarlane join the cast of Roger Ailes series

Russell Crowe uses 'jazz hands' to reveal his startling makeover in strange video

Russell Crowe uses 'jazz hands' to reveal his startling makeover in strange video

Abbie Chatfield lashes out over election results: “I don’t have to be kind”

Abbie Chatfield lashes out over election results: “I don’t have to be kind”

Rihanna has welcomed her first baby with A$AP Rocky

Rihanna has welcomed her first baby with A$AP Rocky

All our favourite parenting moments from Jen Hawkins and Jake Wall

All our favourite parenting moments from Jen Hawkins and Jake Wall

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who magazine