Hollywood star Russell Crowe and his wife of nine years Danielle Spencer have split up, a report said on Monday.

The Australian couple separated amicably, the Sydney Morning Herald said, and both were determined to protect their two children, aged eight and six, from any publicity.

No public comment has been made by the Oscar-winning actor or his musician wife.

Rumours that their relationship was in trouble surfaced in June this year when photos appeared showing Spencer on a night out with her Dancing With The Stars partner Damian Whitewood.

The pictures reportedly showed Spencer and Whitewood with their arms wrapped around each other in Sydney.

According to the Herald, Crowe is in the United States filming the biblical epic Noah, while Spencer remains in Sydney with their two sons.