Russell Crowe pans himself with threat to throw a phone

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe can now laugh about throwing a telephone at a New York hotel concierge.

Hosting the Australian Film Industry Awards in Melbourne on Saturday night, the actor walked on stage carrying an old-fashioned telephone.

"If there are any problems and you do get up here and go on too long," Crowe warned nominees in the audience before indicating the phone, "then 'hello' to my little friend."

The 41-year-old actor pleaded guilty earlier this month to third-degree assault, admitting that he threw a phone that hit a concierge in June. He had to pay a $160 court charge and was sentenced to conditional discharge, which means he must not get arrested for one year.