June 06, 2005

Russell Crowe arrested at Mercer hotel in assault

Exactly one week to the day after my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at The Mercer in SoHo, actor Russell Crowe has been arrested for assaulting an employee of the hotel. My husband and I had a fabulous time, though I must admit, we didn't try to use the phone.

The prickly Crowe, whose movie "Cinderella Man" opened at "a disappointing fourth" over the weekend, was apparently mad he couldn't get a telephone to make a call to his native Australia around 4 a.m. this morning, according to NY1. The Oscar winner "allegedly threw the phone at the Mercer Hotel employee, striking him in the face," police told the Associated Press.

Crowe is expected to appear in court later this morning facing a second degree assault charge.

Update: From the New York Times after Crowe's court appearance:

Mr. Crowe's publicist, Robin Baum, issued a statement denying that the actor had hit anyone: "After asking the front desk several times to replace a faulty phone in his room - and getting only attitude from the clerk on duty - Crowe brought the phone down to the front desk in an effort to address the situation in person. Words were exchanged and Crowe wound up throwing the phone against the wall. He regrets that he lost his temper, but at no time did he assault anyone or touch any hotel employee."

The criminal complaint stated that Mr. Crowe "admitted that he picked up the phone and threw it at informant because he was angry."

June 6, 2005 07:15 AM in Hotelology

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