New York, November 18, 2005 – Hot-tempered actor Russell Crowe appeared in a Manhattan court today and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from his phone-throwing tantrum last June.

The Oscar winner’s scheduled 9:30 A.M. appearance was delayed until Crowe’s lawyer finished with rapper Irv Gotti’s case over in Brooklyn. Crowe’s black Escalade, complete with tinted windows, pulled up shortly after 2 P.M.; he received no special privileges, and was forced to make his way through the media throng, surrounded by security guards.

The situation outside the courthouse became downright dangerous for the approximately 75 members of the press awaiting Crowe’s arrival. Security guards pushed and shoved through the crowd, and Crowe and his wife, Danielle Spencer, were stoic, expressionless, and spoke to no one.

As the entourage made its way up the courthouse steps, photographers and TV crews were pushed back, with some falling and being stepped on. At one point, court officers physically held off photographers. Once they’d finally gotten Crowe into the building, court officers threatened to arrest people if they came onto the steps.

Reducing the charges from felony assault to misdemeanor should allow Crowe to work again in the U.S., and we can’t wait.