Steve Irwin Remembered as "Hero" and "Champion"

At a Tuesday memorial, friends, fans and Hollywood stars remembered the "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin as someone who "touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way" (as Oz's prime minister put it). In a recorded video message, Russell Crowe said, "We have lost a friend, a champion," while Irwin's 8-year-old daughter, Bindi, shared, "My daddy was a hero." Irwin's father, Bob, told the crowd, "Please do not grieve for Steve. He's at peace now. Grieve for the animals. They have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I."

Playing the role of Debbie Downer (two mentions in one day?) on this occasion was marine explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, who, while out promoting a TV special, critiqued the deceased's tactics, saying Irwin would "interfere with nature, jump on animals [and] grab them. It goes very well on television.... But you don't touch nature. You just look at it."