While the mathematician was known in the world of economics and other social sciences as the man behind game theory, work which made him earn the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1994, in fact most people are aware of his story after Russell Crowe's John Nash portrayal in "A Beautiful Mind."

The Australian-New Zealander citizen, controversial over his lifestyle and remarks (including having slammed older actresses earlier this year over "complaining" over the lack of roles for their ages), has an Oscar under his belt for "Gladiator" and two more nominations for his work, including Russell Crowe's John Nash portrayal in the Ron Howard Oscar-winning film.

According to Us Weekly, the actor took to his Twitter page to express his sympathy over the death of the famous mathematician, after having portrayed him in the famous Russell Crowe John Nash movie back in 2001, in a film that won a number of awards including Oscars for Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly), Direction and Best Picture.

"Stunned...my heart goes out to John & Alicia & family," Russell Crowe on John Nash's death and that of his wife Alicia, played by Connelly in the 2001 film. "An amazing partnership. Beautiful minds, beautiful hearts."

The Russell Crowe John Nash movie has remained one of the actor's most iconic roles in his career, and it's no surprise to see that he's been hit with the news after having met and talked to the famous mathematician at length when he was preparing for his role.

As The Mirror reports, "A Beautiful Mind" deals heavily with the scientist's achievements as well as his struggles with mental illness (paranoid schizophrenia) and his marriage through the years; in fact, Nash and Alicia were divorced for decades before remarrying at about the time the film was released.

As The New York Times reports, the Nash marriage's deaths came during a car accident, as the taxi they were driving home in lost control last weekend while veering to the left.

Russell Crowe's John Nash comments are only one of the many honors the mathematician and his wife have received over the past couple of days.