Hollywood actor Russell Crowe has blamed his altercation with a hotel night porter on the "loneliness" of being away from his family for the first time.

"The Gladiator" star lost his temper with night porter Nestor Estrada at New York City's Mercer Hotel on Monday, after Estrada reportedly failed to connect Crowe's phone call to his family in Australia, reports Internet Movie Database.

During an interview with comedian David Letterman Wednesday night, Crowe admitted that being away from his wife Danielle and their 17-month-old son Charlie was tough.

Crowe has been charged with second degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He has been ordered to return to court in September.