When you think of Russell Crowe, you probably picture him screaming "Are you not entertained?" in a dusty Roman arena. Or maybe you see him holding a rugby ball for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. What you usually don't see is him doing the school run in Sydney.
Honestly, that is exactly how he wanted it. For decades, the public has been fascinated by the idea of Russell Crowe and sons, Charles and Tennyson. But while other celebrity kids are busy launching "influencer" careers or walking runways before they can drive, the Crowe boys have been ghosts in the Hollywood machine. It wasn't an accident. It was a very deliberate, somewhat stubborn choice by two parents who decided that being "famous by association" was a terrible way to grow up.
Meet Charles and Tennyson Spencer Crowe
Let’s get the basics out of the way. Russell shares two sons with his ex-wife, the Australian singer and actress Danielle Spencer.
Charles Spencer Crowe is the eldest, born on December 21, 2003. As of early 2026, he’s 22 years old. He’s the one people often say looks exactly like a young L.A. Confidential-era Russell. Then there’s Tennyson Spencer Crowe, born July 7, 2006. He’s 19 now.
They didn't grow up in a Beverly Hills mansion. After Russell and Danielle separated in 2012, they made a massive decision: the boys would stay in Sydney. While Russell was off filming in places like Iceland or Malta, the boys were living a relatively normal life in Rose Bay. They went to local schools. They had local mates. They weren't "the kids of an Oscar winner"—they were just Charlie and Tenny.
The "Uber Eats" Incident
There’s a hilarious story Russell told during the pandemic that basically sums up his relationship with his sons. He was isolating at his remote rural property in Nana Glen, New South Wales. He invited the boys to come stay with him "in the bush" to get away from the city chaos.
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They turned him down.
When he asked why, Tennyson—who is apparently the brutally honest one—told him straight: "Uber Eats." They didn't want to be stuck on a farm with their dad's home cooking when they could have Thai food delivered to their door in Sydney in twenty minutes. Russell joked that his "paternal care" lost out to a delivery app. It’s a relatable dad moment, even if your dad happens to be a global icon.
Why You Don't See Them on the Red Carpet
You’ve noticed the lack of "nepotism baby" energy here, right?
Russell has been incredibly vocal about his distaste for the acting industry when it comes to his kids. He once said that acting is basically just dealing with "massive amounts of rejection," and he didn't want that for them. He wasn't one of those stage dads pushing for a cameo.
- Charles graduated high school in 2021. His mom posted a rare photo of him in his graduation suit, and the internet lost its mind because he looked so much like his father.
- Tennyson has mostly stayed completely off the radar, though he made headlines a couple of years back due to rumors about his personal life.
The dynamic between Russell Crowe and sons has always been about protecting their privacy. Russell has admitted that if it were up to him, he’d talk about them all day long because he's a proud dad. But he knows that every time he speaks, it makes them a target at school or in public. He chose silence to give them a shot at a real life.
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The Famous "Office" Visit
One of the rare times we saw the three of them together in public was in July 2022. Russell took the boys to Rome. He posted a selfie of them standing outside the Colosseum with the caption: "Taking the kids to see my old office."
It was a perfect "dad joke."
But even then, the photo felt like a rare gift to fans. It showed two young men who seemed genuinely happy to be hanging out with their old man. Despite the divorce and the distance that often comes with a Hollywood career, they’ve remained a tight unit. Danielle Spencer has said that they are still a "family" in every sense of the word, often spending Christmas together or gathering for big milestones.
The Dinosaur Head and Other "Dad" Perks
Of course, it’s not all normal. Being a Crowe kid comes with some weird perks. In 2019, it came out that Russell had once bought a real dinosaur head from Leonardo DiCaprio because his kids were obsessed with fossils.
"My kids, particularly my eldest, were fascinated," Russell told Howard Stern. "So here we go, here's one for the playroom."
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Imagine being six years old and having a Mosasaur skull next to your LEGO sets. That’s the kind of childhood we’re talking about. High-level coolness balanced with the grounding reality of living in Australia.
Moving Forward as Young Adults
So, where are they now?
As we move through 2026, the boys are navigating their own paths. Charles is deep into his twenties, and Tennyson is starting his journey as an adult. Neither has made a major move into the film industry yet. They seem content to let their dad have the spotlight while they live life on their own terms.
There’s a lot to be said for the way Russell and Danielle handled things. In an era where fame is often weaponized, they chose a path of "consistency." They prioritized Sydney over Los Angeles. They chose "normal" over "famous."
If you’re looking to follow the journey of the Crowe family, keep an eye on Australian creative circles rather than Hollywood tabloids. The best way to respect the privacy they’ve worked so hard for is to simply appreciate the rare glimpses we get—like a dad taking his kids back to his "office" for a quick selfie.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Crowe Family:
- Check Danielle Spencer’s Instagram: She is the one most likely to post rare, sanctioned family photos for birthdays or graduations.
- Look for Rugby Ties: The boys are often spotted at South Sydney Rabbitohs games, supporting the team their father co-owns.
- Respect the Boundary: Remember that Russell’s silence on his kids is a choice of love, not a lack of interest.
The story of Russell Crowe and his sons is a refreshing reminder that even in the middle of a massive career, family can still be the one thing you keep for yourself.
Next Steps for Readers:
If you want to understand the environment the Crowe boys grew up in, look into Russell’s property in Nana Glen or his involvement with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. These are the "real" parts of his life that kept his family grounded.