Actor Russell Crowe says his New York arrest for throwing a phone at a New York hotel clerk has been blown out of proportion.

Crowe, in Melbourne for the L'Oreal AFI Awards, said traveling businessmen get touchy or testy with hotel staff in every major city around the world, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported.

Crowe said it does not excuse his behavior, but I didn't get any kudos for admitting guilt and apologizing, either.

Crowe was fined $160 for hurling the phone at a hotel clerk after he could not reach an outside line to call his wife in Australia.

Crowe denied having a problem with anger management.

I don't think in the true sense I'm quick to anger at all, he said.