Robert Irwin shares how Russell Crowe kept his late dad Steve Irwin’s memory alive

Robert Irwin has revealed how long-time family friend, Russell Crowehelped keep his late father Steve Irwin’s memory alive.

The 21-year-old who is currently wowing viewers on Dancing with the Stars attended the 2025 AFI Fest premiere of the 61-year-old actor’s latest film.

While supporting longtime family friend Crowe for, Nuremberg, at the 2025 AFI Fest, Robert, told PEOPLE what Russell did.

Robert has known Crowe his entire life, with the Gladiator star being a friend of both his mother and late father.

“Some of the earliest memories of me with my dad were also with Russell, which is really special,” he said.

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“He has so many stories to share of him and dad, and I feel like I build an even better picture of my dad when I’m around Russell,” he explained, “Russell and dad were just great mates, so it’s a different perspective than when you’re hearing about your mum.”

In doing this, Crowe has helped keep Steve “alive in my life”, says Robert, adding that he looks up to and is inspired by the Gladiator star.

Crowe and Terri’s close friendship has spurred countless rumours over the years that they are in a relationship, but both have vehemently denied them.

Terri previously told the Courier Mail that she has been linked with many men, but “I have kept track because it’s kind of funny … Let’s see, apparently it’s all the Hogans — that’s Paul and Hulk; Russell Crowe, and most recently, it’s Richard Wilkins.”

She continued, “I think the most flattering would be Russell because he is such a good person, and a very good friend to our family, and I actually do really love him because he loved Steve and they were such good friends.”

Terri went on to tell the newspaper that when Steve died, he was the first person to call and send her his condolences.

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“It meant a lot and now I kind of feel sorry for him because he is forever being linked to me so I could be cramping his style – same for Richard Wilkins.”

In 2017, Crowe, 55, spoke to Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek on KIIS FM and gushed about the wildlife conservationist while firmly denying that he and Terri had ever been in a relationship.

“Terri is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met in my life without their being implication for intimacy or whatever,” he told the radio hosts.

“You know I do love Terri Irwin, I love her kids and I love how she’s kept the memory of Steve alive and respected the work that the two of them had begun and she’s an absolute champion, but we’re not in a relationship,” he added.