Hollywood actor Russell Crowe was involved in a physical altercation with millionaire businessman Eric Watson at a London restaurant in 2002, an incident that was broken up by former EastEnders star Ross Kemp.
The 62-year-old Gladiator star reportedly clashed with Watson, once one of New Zealand's wealthiest men, at the Zuma restaurant in Knightsbridge. The fight allegedly began in the toilets before spilling over to the bar area.
Details of the Altercation
Watson's associates claimed that Crowe, whose South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team had finished bottom of the National Rugby League, initially congratulated Watson on his team's second-place finish. However, after Crowe allegedly used a derogatory term about New Zealanders, the pair became involved in a skirmish.
Watson reportedly came out on top, allegedly knocking Crowe to the ground and landing several punches. In a surprising turn, actor Ross Kemp, who happened to be at the restaurant, intervened and separated the men until police arrived.
Police Response and Aftermath
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the BBC at the time: "Police were called at 0042 GMT on 13 November to reports of an altercation involving two men believed to be in their 30s. No allegations of a crime were received, there were no injuries and there will be no further police action."
Speaking to the Daily Mirror after the incident, Watson said: "I feel pretty embarrassed about what has happened. I'm still in shock from it all. I want to make it clear I'm not a violent man. I'm not a thug. I'm a respectable businessman."
Crowe's clash with Watson was not an isolated incident. In 1999, he was accused of head-butting customers at a hotel bar in Australia. In 2005, he was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly throwing a phone at a hotel concierge in New York.
A Quieter Life
The incidents cemented Crowe's reputation as one of Hollywood's bad boys. However, he later apologized, telling TV host David Letterman: "This is possibly the most shameful situation I've ever gotten myself in in my life, and I've done some pretty dumb things in my life."
Now, Crowe insists his temper has been replaced by a calmer attitude, thanks to fatherhood. He told the Daily Mail: "I've settled for a quieter life as a responsible father. I've grown up and I'm a family man all the way through." He added: "Anyone who comes in for that onrush of attention, is going to have to handle it in their own way, which is hard, and there's no way you can prepare for it. But these days, I have a little bit more balance and I understand it more."
