Director George Ogilvie slams Russell Crowe as being 'desperate' and unlikable

Russell Crowe. Photo / NZME

He's a prominent Hollywood actor and a household name.

But before Russell Crowe, 52, found mainstream success in acting, the Oscar award-winner was a 'desperate' wannabe who lacked humility, according to director George Ogilvie, who spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald this week.

During his early 20s, the New Zealand-born star got his start in George's 1990 Australian drama The Crossing and despite it being Russell's very first acting gig, now 85-year-old George recalled him having been an 'arrogant little pi**pot.'

'None of the crew liked him, thought he was an arrogant little pi**pot,' said George, whose credits include Australian drama Blue Heelers.

'He was desperate, but from the moment he walked in he knew he belonged there.'

Russell played a rebellious character Johnny in The Crossing, which also starred Russell's now estranged wife Danielle Spencer as Meg.

Outspoken actor Russell is no stranger to criticism after having been involved in a number of public disputes over the years, including a 2005 incident that led to him being arrested in New York City after an alleged scuffle with staff at the Mercer Hotel.

Despite living a life in the spotlight for over two decades, Russell has never adjusted to media attention - namely tabloid gossip and on Wednesday the actor slammed recent claims that he is romantically involved with animal activist Terri Irwin.

He took to Twitter to slam bizarre claims that the pair are planning to wed, after her reps shut down the rumours.

Russell tweeted to his more than 2.2 million followers: 'I have such a dramatic life in bulls**t magazines.'

'Last week New Idea magazine said I was getting married, now Woman's Day (sic) saying the weddings off,' Russell added.

It comes after Woman's Day reported this week that Terri and Russell's rumoured wedding was 'off' so that she can focus on her children, Bindi, 18, and Robert, 13.

But according to the publication, Terri, 52, still 'loves' the Gladiator actor.

'Of course she loves Russell - they've been friends for a long time,' a source told the magazine.

'But I think talk of a wedding is premature to say the least,' they said, adding her priority is to look after her children.

They added a relationship could happen one day but for now, 'it's the love of two friends who like and respect each other.'

A representative for Terri told Daily Mail Australia on Monday, that she and Russell are just friends.

'There is no romantic link at all between Terri and Russell. Once again, these reports are completely false,' they said.

Last month, New Idea claimed Terri and Russell - both aged 52 - are talking marriage as their alleged relationship heated up.

According to the magazine, the pair were set to go public with their romance because the mother-of-two didn't 'want to hide it any longer'.

A source close to Terri reportedly told the magazine: 'You can totally tell they're into each other and have been for a very long time.'

'Obviously Russ has been through a lot of pain because of how much he loved Danielle and Terri relates to that because she's struggled to find anyone who's matched up to Steve.

'This is a big reason they're so compatible - they're on the same wavelength about never expecting to find true love again,' the source explained.

They added the couple have spoken about tying the knot in a 'small and intimate' wedding in late 2018.

An Australian Zoo representative laughed off the rumours, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'All of these reports are completely false.

'Terri and Russell are not dating and are certainly not planning a wedding.'

This isn't the first time the pair have been linked to one another.

In May, New Idea again reported an 'insider close to the actor' claiming the couple were unable to 'fight their love any longer.'

But at the time, an Australian Zoo spokesperson laughed off the reports, saying: 'She'll be flattered!

'Russell Crowe is a long-time friend of the Irwin family and has been for many years, [but] the report that Terri and Russell are romantically linked is simply untrue.'

The story also claimed that neighbours have seen Russell 'half-naked' on the balcony of the wildlife warrior's $3.2 million home on the Sunshine Coast, even waving to locals as they pass.

'The truth is, they're both at similar stages of their lives and have so much in common - kids, looking for love, big careers.

'It was only a matter of time before they fell in love,' claimed the source.