Hollywood star Russell Crowe has surprised fans with an intimate revelation about his relationship with ex-wife Danielle Spencer, admitting they engaged in playful roleplay inspired by one of his most famous film roles.
The Cheeky Confession
During an appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday, the 61-year-old New Zealand-born actor shared the unexpected detail after being questioned about whether he'd ever dressed up as a character for someone special.
"There was one point when I was shooting Master and Commander and Danielle, we weren't married at the time, but we were coming towards our marriage. It was 2002," Russell explained to the shocked radio hosts.
The Gladiator star revealed that his then-girlfriend visited the set of the historical drama and became particularly taken with his early 19th-century Royal Navy uniform.
Captain Crowe's Naval Influence
"We were shooting it and she visited the set, she was very much into the high pants and the English Navy uniform," Russell confessed about his ex-wife's reaction to his period costume.
The attraction to his naval commander persona became so pronounced that Spencer developed a cheeky nickname for the Oscar-winning actor.
"To the point where every now and then she'd call me Captain!" Russell revealed, much to the amusement of the show's hosts and listeners.
From Roleplay to Reconciliation
In a surprising turn of events, the former couple who married in 2003 and finalised their divorce in 2018 after separating in 2012 are set to reunite professionally.
Come December 20, Russell and Danielle will share the stage at Crowe's Indoor Garden Party at Sydney's Enmore Theatre, with Spencer opening the show before her ex-husband performs.
Danielle, 56, has described the upcoming collaboration as a "lovely full circle moment," telling news.com.au that "Russell and I connected through music in the early days of knowing each other."
The actress and singer added: "We've performed together countless times over the years. It seemed like a lovely full circle moment."
Russell shares two sons, Charles, 21, and Tennyson, 19, with his former wife and has emphasised their positive co-parenting relationship, noting that "everybody's cool" about their ongoing friendship and collaboration.
The actor told the radio programme that even his children approve of their parents' continued professional partnership, saying: "The coolest about that is my kids. They're like, 'Dad, that's excellent'."
