Police Called in New Russell Scuffle

By Stephen M. Silverman

Thursday November 14, 2002 12:00 PM EST

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Russell Crowe has put up his dukes again, this time in a London restaurant, reports Britain's ITV News.

As confirmed by Scotland Yard, Crowe, 38, clashed with fellow New Zealander Eric Watson, described as a wealthy businessman, when the pair confronted each other at the Zuma restaurant in Knightsbridge, near Harrods.

Police were summoned to the trendy eatery when the situation grew out of control, says ITV, but not before British TV star Ross Kemp stepped into the fracas in order to break things up, ITV reported.

No reason for the clash was reported. Police reportedly interviewed the two men, but no legal action is expected to be taken against either.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers were called to the Zuma restaurant to reports of an altercation between two men believed to be in their 30s."

The spokesman added: "When police arrived the situation was under control. No allegations of a crime were received; there were no arrests, and there will be no further police action."

Earlier this year, also in London, Crowe, in the midst of the Oscar campaign for "A Beautiful Mind," was forced to apologize to TV executive Malcolm Gerrie, whom he reportedly confronted after his British Academy Award acceptance speech was cut from a broadcast.

The dispute erupted after the actor had reportedly become upset by the editing out of a poem he had read at the ceremony during his speech.

At the time, Crowe was said to have been "abusive" and "behaving unreasonably" toward Gerrie.