Russell Crowe recalls chance meeting with late Sinead O'Connor in moving tribute: 'Hero of mine'

Russell Crowe was blown away by Sinead O’Connor the very first time he happened to meet her. It was a chance meeting in 2022 while he was working in Ireland. While outside a pub with some friends, the "Gladiator" star and the others spotted a woman walking by "with a purpose."

The 59-year-old actor took to Twitter to recount the experience: "Puffy parker zipped to the nape and her bowed head covered in a scarf. One of my new friends muttered an exclamation, jumped up and pursued the woman. Thirty meters down the road the friend and the woman embraced and he waved me over. There under streetlights with mist on my breath, I met Sinéad. She looked in my eyes, and uttered with disarming softness 'Oh, it's you, Russell.'"

O'Connor joined them at the pub where they engaged in conversation until she decided to leave. "In a conversation without fences, we roamed through the recent Dublin heatwave, local politics, American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition in many places, but particularly in Australia, her warm memory of New Zealand, faith, music, movies and her brother, the writer. I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine," Crowe wrote.

The actor could not deny the presence that was O’Connor and how the encounter had an impact on all of them. "When her second cup was taking on the night air, she rose, embraced us all and strode away into the fog-dimmed streetlights. We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad," he shared.

Many fans appreciated Crowe for sharing his story as they mourned the singer's death. Bonita Lisborg tweeted, "Thank you, Russell, that was meaningful and heartwarming... You made me cry. Sinéad was a beautiful soul... Nothing will ever compare to you Sinéad." Aarik Danielsen shared, "I’ve been so sad about so many things the past few days (including losing Sinéad), and it’s easy to forget how we can be little miracles, little lights for each other."

The Irish musician and activist, best known for her single "Nothing Compares 2 U," died at the age of 56 on July 26. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad," her family confirmed in a statement to RTE and the BBC. "Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time." The cause of her death has not been made public.

Irish President Michael D Higgins praised the late singer's "authenticity" as well as her "beautiful, unique voice." "What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her," he said.