Crowe's anger management

Showbiz

09:30 04 July 2005

Russell Crowe is urging fans to follow in his footsteps by keeping their anger under control.

The 'Gladiator' actor, who was recently arrested for assaulting a hotel clerk with a telephone in New York, claims he is not really the hard man he appears on screen.

The Hollywood star told German magazine TV Movie: "I am the biggest softie you will ever meet. Anger doesn't lead anywhere. You have to be in a position to be able to bring your temperament and adrenaline under control."

Crowe also confessed he didn't enjoy playing a boxer in his latest film 'Cinderella Man'.

The 41-year-old revealed: "There is no gratification for me in forcing someone into a corner and knocking them out."

Crowe was charged with second degree assault and possession of a weapon earlier this month after attacking hotel clerk Nestor Estranda with a telephone - because he couldn't get a call through to his wife.

The star now faces an embarrassing court showdown after failing to reach a financial out-of-court settlement with the New York hotel worker.

His lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, said: "Russell Crowe went on three national television programs apologising for the incident and making amends and he is trying to put it behind him".

(c) BANG Media International