Oscar winner Russell Crowe shares news of dad’s death on Twitter

The father of Oscar winner Russell Crowe died on Tuesday in Coffs Harbour, only weeks after his 85th birthday, the actor has confirmed.

Russell Crowe has paid tribute to his “most gentle” father, who died on Tuesday.

The Academy Award winner took to Twitter to share the news, saying 85-year-old John Alexander Crowe died in Coffs Harbour, where he has lived for the past 25 years.

“Today, although the sun is shining and the torrential rain has abated, this date will forever be tinged with sadness,” Crowe wrote.

“My dear old man, my beautiful dad, the most gentle of men, has passed away. I’m posting this because I know there are people all over the world who’s heart he touched and who’s (sic) 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.”

Chris Hemsworth's Instagram post alongside his wife Elsa Pataky and fellow Hollywood star Russell Crowe. Source: Instagram

The sad news came on the same day as it was announced that he will make a cameo in the new Thor superhero movie.

Details of Crowe’s role alongside Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder are being kept secret.

He had been seen out and about in Sydney with fellow cast and crew, Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, Tessa Thompson, Chris Pratt, Christian Bale, Pom Klementieff and Jeff Goldblum.

Crow as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.

Chris Hemsworth in Thor: The Dark World

Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, Isla Fisher and Russell Crowe watch South Sydney’s clash with the Roosters on Friday.

On Friday, Crowe, who won his Oscar for playing Maximus in Gladiator, was spotted in the stands to see his beloved Rabbitohs defeat Sydney Roosters at Stadium Australia with Portman, Goldblum, Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky.

The crew of Hollywood stars were decked out in Rabbitohs merchandise.

Melissa McCarthy, who has been based in Australia for several months working on TV projects, is also understood to be filming a spot in the Thor film.

Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth in the ongoing Thor series.

The film is scheduled for release on May 6, 2022.