Russell Crowe admits he became a 'f***ing sl**' after his divorce from ex wife Danielle Spencer as he discusses 'ridiculous' antics with a 'significantly younger' woman

He was one of Hollywood’s biggest bad boys, then marriage tamed him. But Russell Crowe has admitted that following his divorce he ‘became a f***ing sl*t’.

The Gladiator star, 60, who formally split with his wife Danielle Spencer in 2018, said he fully embraced his newly single lifestyle after 15 years of marriage. 

He admitted his romantic antics were ‘ridiculous’ and included one particularly memorable dalliance with a ‘significantly younger’ woman.

He said: ‘To be completely truthfully honest with you, after my divorce was finalised, I became a f***ing sl*t. I was f***ing ridiculous, I had s*** going everywhere. You know the old saying, "there’s a girl in every port?"'

The lothario, who was linked to Billy Joel's ex-wife Katie Lee, 42, in 2012, also confessed to using the controversial ‘lovebombing’ technique. 

He was one of Hollywood’s biggest bad boys, then marriage tamed him. But Russell Crowe has admitted that following his divorce he ‘became a f***ing sl*t’ (pictured in June)

The Gladiator star, 60, who formally split with his wife Danielle Spencer in 2018, said he fully embraced his newly single lifestyle after 15 years of marriage (pictured in 2007)

Lovebombing involves one person showering another with excessive affection, compliments, and gifts in order to influence them.

Mr Crowe, who starred in A Beautiful Mind and American Gangster, said: ‘I’d set these things up. They have that saying now, you lovebomb somebody. 

'I’d be f***ing lovebombing people like crazy because I’ve got a spare buck or two so you can do that kind of s***.’

The candid comments were made at a live performance of Crowe’s band The Gentlemen Barbers at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday evening. Although primarily known for his acting career, Russell has long been a musician and is currently touring the UK.

The New Zealand-born actor also recounted the time he was supposed to go on a date with a younger woman in France, but she stood the A-lister up in favour of one of Britain’s biggest coastal cities.

‘The situation was with a young lady and when I say young I mean significantly younger than me. Significant, we’ll just leave it at that,’ he explained. It is not clear who the younger woman was that Russell is referring to. 

‘Coming up towards the dates that we were supposed to meet in Paris I found out that she’d gone somewhere else. Now just put yourself in this position okay. 

'Here’s the options: you, and the person, and Paris. She decided instead to go to Southampton. F*** off. If you get out the list of the 50 greatest places you should visit before you die, guess what’s not on the f***ing list?'

He admitted his romantic antics were ‘ridiculous’ and included one particularly memorable dalliance with a ‘significantly younger’ woman

His lustful phase lasted a couple of years, before Crowe settled down with former actress Britney Theriot, 31, who he has been in a ‘fantastic relationship‘ with since 2020 (pictured)

The lothario was linked to Billy Joel's ex-wife Katie Lee, 42, in 2012 (pictured this month) - it's not clear who he was specifically referring to onstage

His lustful phase lasted a couple of years, before Crowe saw the error of ways and settled down with former actress Britney Theriot, 31, who he has been in a ‘fantastic relationship‘ with since 2020.

The Oscar winner explained: 'It took me a couple of years to look at myself in the mirror one day and go, "what are you doing? Nothing’s going to get better or happier by approaching things like this."'

The couple recently sparked engagement rumours when Ms Theriot was spotted wearing a dazzling diamond band on her ring finger, and there were claims they were eyeing up an Italian wedding after reportedly visiting a church in Rome in June.

He also maintains a close relationship with his ex-wife Ms Spencer, 55, who he shares two sons with Charles, 20, and Tennyson, 18.

The actor is notably absent from the upcoming sequel to Gladiator, the movie that propelled him to international stardom. 

Fans hoped he would appear in a flashback or afterlife scenes, but director Ridley Scott is focussing on the character of Lucius played by Paul Mescal. 

Other big names who will feature in Gladiator II, released in November, include Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Sir Derek Jacobi.

When Gladiator was released in 2000, Crowe, who played General Maximus Decimus Meridius, could not have anticipated the number of fans he would attract including one mysterious devotee in the Vatican. 

He once received a call from a Catholic representative, inviting him to walk through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel out of hours, with no tourists present. Crowe immediately jumped at the opportunity and brought his mother for the once in lifetime experience.

Describing the ‘magnificent’ experience filled with ‘immense beauty’, Crowe said he pushed his mum into the world’s most famous chapel early in the morning before the sun had risen. It was then that their mysterious host, who had been walking with them, said: ‘For you today, I will turn on the lights of the pope.’

The actor asked what he meant.

He also maintains a close relationship with his ex-wife Ms Spencer, 55, who he shares two sons with Charles, 20, and Tennyson, 18 (pictured in 2010)

‘Well the pope when he comes to meditate in the Capella di Sistina [Sistine Chapel], he likes to see all the colours. So we put in some lights,’ he explained.

Crowe and his mother were overawed, he said: ‘It was unbelievable. The blues, the reds, it was just shimmering. It was incredible, what an experience.’ 

He later thanked his host, and added modestly: ‘You didn’t have to do that, why did you do that?’

The Vatican official said: ‘Russell, please. Maximo, you are the eighth King of Rome”.