Russell Crowe Hates U.S. Legal System

Brother. Russell Crowe complains about the fallout from his June 2005 phone throwing incident at the Mercer Hotel. Crowe pleaded guilty to third degree assault, paid a $160 fine, and had to settle with the hotel employee, Nestor Estrada. (And it wasn't just a phone handset or cordless phone thrown at Estrada - apparently Crowe had taken the whole phone out of the wall and thrown it at him, causing minor injuries to Estrada's face.) Crowe tells 60 Minutes that the U.S. legal system "is very open to being abused" and further:

"Where I come from, a confrontation like that, as basic and simple as that, would have been satisfied with a handshake and an apology."

We'll keep that in mind when we go to Australia and have a crazy temper tantrum! Do Sydney hotel employees train with rugby teams? Then again, how about not resorting to physical assault? Sure, accounts say Estrada was dismissive of Crowe's problems using the phone (which is not good when you work in the hotel business), but if your plumber tells you he can't help you fix your toilet situation, do you tear it out of the wall and throw it at him? We hope Steve Kroft interviews Naomi Campbell next for her thoughts on throwing objects at employees.

As for the U.S. legal system being abused, welcome to America. Given that Crowe's settlement with Estrade is in the low six-figures, far from the $11 million figure bandied about last year, we think he got off easy.

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By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on November 3, 2006 7:56 AM

Comments [rss]

Justin

@mihow

The funny thing is that in Australia we think of America as being entirely over-the-top violent. I'm pretty sure that gun related deaths in America would be several times higher than Australia.

If someone had come into my work and thrown a phone at me or one of my employees I definitely would have called the police. Russ is talking bullshit and giving Australians a bad name.

Not Amused

I have to say he does have a point there as far as the U.S. legal system is concerned . If you have some dough in the bank your subject to massive lawsuits by people trying to get paid off you . On the other hand .....Maybe, Just maybe if this dick hadn't have assaulted this guy in the first place this wouldn't be a problem !

oh

"medical costs"

"unpaid time off from work"

or maybe people could stop being fucking babies and live with "minor injuries"? do you really think this warranted medical attention or time off from work? if either was actually sought, it was only done to milk this bullshit even more. crowe might be a dick but it's pathetic how only money can make toddlers like this stop crying about bad luck and another's moment of poor judgement.

mihow

For reasons I am unable to back up, I have this inexplicable view of Australia being entirely over-the-top violent. I'm not sure why.

When he said, "Where he comes from..." etc., I thought, yeah, well, that's true. Where he comes from ya gotta pray you're not beaten bloody by a bottle while another guy kicks you in the gonads.

But, like I said, I have nothing to back this up with and I'm sure it's a lovely place. I'm sure it ain't true. Still, there are other places I'd probably visit first before hitting the land down under.

whoa

He doesn't say he hates the US legal system. Way to twist his words. He just said "the US legal is very open for abused". Which is true. Everyone is being sue-happy nowadays for the littlest things. No wonder America is fucked up and the entire world hates this country.

Bo

Maybe Mr. Crowe should attend this event:

https://lvhrd.com/private/arc_e.php?event_id=9

midnite wider

No, I never push someone on the subway in my 40 plus years in NYC.

this aussie ass was rude and felt a sense of entitlement and was pissed that he didn't get what he wanted. In other words, like a baby.

I know nothing about NYC bars with these type of guys and don't plan on going to any of these types of bars where trouble would start at a drop of a hat.

bo

And you never push someone on the subway? Same thing, hence the hypocrisy. I'm not saying he wasn't wrong, he sure was, but pretty much every bar in NYC has a few guys that act this way.

know problemo

NO problem, here.

I just don't go around throwing a telephone when something does not come my way.

do you see any people on A&E's airline show throw something at the ticket people when their flights were cancelled? NO.

so, no hypocrite here.

Asshole got off easy with just a $160 fine.

bo

What is your problem today, people? We are the most litigious society in the world. This was not a crime, stop being so hypocritical.

Samantha T

"Where I come from, he's an asshole."

This made my day. Hysterical.

By the way, Russell - we don't have nationalized health care in this country and our workers aren't all that financially protected. This dude would probably have to eat some of his medical costs (if he's insured at all) and take unpaid time off from work were he stupid enough to settle for an apology and a handshake from a drunk, entitled, bloated actor like you. Also, we have damages in this country to act as a detterent to jackasses like you who can't control their temper, seeing as you didn't have to serve any time whatsoever for assaulting somebody and paid only a nominal fee for your criminal charges.

usa all da way

Where I come from, he's an asshole.

You don't use physical force you stupid aussie asshole. I know where you come from mass fights happens at every football game.

way to perpetuate the Australian stereotype. tough guy.

agreed

he is absolutely right.

sven

if he wasn't a wealthy celebrity, there would be no lawsuit. it would have been "settled with a handshake and an apology".

not that i condone his actions, but he is correct in calling out the greed built into the us legal system