Russell Crowe and wife Danielle Spencer have separated after nine years of marriage.

The split has been reported as being amicable and their focus will remain on protecting their sons Charles, 8, and Tennyson, 6, privacy.

It has been speculated that Crowe’s acting career and hectic filming schedule had a lot to do with the marriage breakdown.  Crowe is currently filming biblical blockbuster Noah in the US, and has reportedly been away from his family for most part of the last year.

Spencer will remain in Sydney with their children, whereas Crowe will continue filming in the US.  It is believed Russell Crowe has thrown himself into his work following with split. 

Rumours about a possible split circulated in June when Spencer was photographed on a night out with her Dancing with the Stars partner Damien Whitewood. 

The split has come as quite the shock, as their relationships seemed solid after nine years.  Although the pair have gone through rough patches throughout their marriage, their willingness to protect their children and to stand by each other has been admired by many.

Neither Crowe, nor Spencer, have commented on the split.