Stars Behaving Badly 2005

When some people get mad at hotel employees, they might express their disdain by complaining to the manager, or perhaps by not tipping. Other people throw phones. Ok, maybe not a lot of other people. Ok, maybe just Russell Crowe.

In June, the Oscar-winning actor was staying at the Mercer Hotel in New York City when he became so angry about not being able to get a call through to his wife in Australia, he threw a phone at hotel concierge Nestor Estrada. According to the complaint, Crowe's toss hit Estrada in the face and caused "a laceration and substantial pain."

Crowe pled guilty to third-degree assault in November, admitting to a judge that he threw the phone. Crowe was sentenced to a conditional discharge, which means he must not get arrested for one year. We're guessing that's a good deal for Crowe, but the odds on him getting arrested are certainly higher for him than most Oscar-winning actors -- though we hear you don't want to get Roberto Benigni all riled up.

The incident dogged Russell for the rest of the year. He complained to Australian press that the media blew the incident "out of proportion," but then later joked about it at the Australian Film Industry Awards.

Maybe fatherhood will finally mellow Russell out.

• Russell Crowe in court

• Russell Crowe
  

Kate Moss: Hey, What's With the Camera?

Who knew that multi-million dollar companies frowned upon their spokespeople doing cocaine? While Kate Moss never actually admitted to drug use, the Daily Mirror published photos of the 31-year-old supermodel doing cocaine.

It didn't help her cause when the accompanying video made the Internet rounds -- not that we watched it or anything. Or downloaded it. Or e-mailed it to friends.

Moss lost modeling deals with Rimmel London, Burberry, H&M and Chanel. She later issued a statement that said in part, "I want to apologize to all of the people I have let down because of my behavior, which has reflected badly on my family, friends, co-workers, business associates and others."

But Moss proved you can never count a supermodel out. She has appeared on three magazine covers since the incident (W, Vanity Fair and Vogue), while filming a commercial for Virgin Mobile that poked fun at the incident.

Related links

• The Kate Moss video (not suitable for all viewers)

Christian Slater: 'I Didn't Do Anything'

Let Slater's battle cry ring throughout the land! Christian was arrested on May 31 in Manhattan for allegedly sexually harassing a woman on the street. In this case, the alleged harassing was a butt grab.

Slater was arrested after the victim ID'd Christian later on at the scene of the crime. Slater cried out to anyone who listen, "I didn't do anything," while being led into the back of a squad car.

Christian held strong to his convictions and refused a plea bargain that called for him to plead guilty to second-degree harassment, rather than third-degree sexual abuse. The plan worked and a New York judge later agreed to dismiss the charges, provided Slater stays out of trouble for six months. (Crowe should have used his attorney.)

Related links

• Slater's court appearance

• Christian Slater