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Russell Crowe said his late friend Steve Irwin would be in “awe” of Robert Irwin’s run on Dancing with the Stars.
The Academy Award winner, 61, shared his thoughts on Robert’s latest television stint with The New York Times, in a story published on Sunday, Nov. 23, noting that Steve would be “so impressed” with the wildlife conservationist’s journey on the show.
“Although Steve could read the rhythms of the seasons and every living creature, he was absolutely not gifted with a sense of musical rhythm,” Crowe wrote to the outlet. “In his hands, a tambourine became a deadly weapon.”
He added of Steve, who died in an underwater accident in 2006 at age 44, “I think he would watch Robert dancing and how he uses his body, the strength and poise, and he would be in awe of his son.”
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Robert, 21, previously told PEOPLE that the Gladiator star has helped keep his father’s memory alive, sharing that he himself has “known him for as long as I’ve been alive.”
Some of the “really special” early memories of his father also involve Crowe, Robert revealed at the 2025 AFI Fest.
“I’m really grateful that I have someone in my life who … he’s actually been there to, in a way, keep my dad alive in my life,” he said. “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.”
“Russell and dad were just great mates, so it’s a different perspective than when you’re hearing about your mom,” Robert added. “It’s meaningful. He’s someone that I look up to and has truly inspired me.”
Robert, who has now entered finale week of Dancing with the Stars, has made his own efforts to keep his dad’s memory alive on the show, too. On Nov. 17, the DWTS contestant shared on Instagram that he has two “good luck charms” that he keeps on him during rehearsals: A ring made of keys to his childhood home and his dad Steve’s shirt.
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Robert has worn the shirt for every rehearsal, he shared, even though it features a few holes and tears (many of which he has gotten repaired). “Each one of the tears and holes and missing buttons tells another story. And this shirt definitely saw a lot,” he said in a video.
He added, “I guess it’s a good example for how dad lived his life: At 100%.”
“Before you guys see my dance in costume, I’ve always done that dance — at least once — in dad’s shirt. It just keeps me close to home, keeps me close to him,” he later added. “It just feels like a big hug every time I put it on.”
The Dancing with the Stars finale airs Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
