Report claims Russell Crowe made 'tone deaf' joke about 'sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie' on set of 90s film Romper Stomper at AACTA Awards before it was CUT from Channel Seven broadcast

By Candice Jackson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:44 GMT, 6 December 2017 | Updated: 22:11 GMT, 6 December 2017

Actor Russell Crowe told a bizarre tongue-in-cheek tale about 'sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie' on the set of a 90s film during Wednesday night's AACTA Awards in Sydney.

According to The Guardian, the Hollywood star told the shocking anecdote on stage as a means to highlight the need for 'sensitivity' in the industry.

The 53-year-old apparently laughed as he recalled the encounter, saying: 'I was sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie (female co-star) on the set of Romper Stomper. I didn't actually intend to do that.'

Actor Russell Crowe's tone deaf anecdote about 'sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie' on set of 90s film Romper Stomper was CUT from AACTA Awards broadcast on Wednesday night, according to The Guardian

Actor Russell Crowe's tone deaf anecdote about 'sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie' on set of 90s film Romper Stomper was CUT from AACTA Awards broadcast on Wednesday night, according to The Guardian

The publication claims the comments made by the New Zealand-born A-lister were cut from the Channel Seven broadcast.

'I didn't actually intend to do that – I was trying to keep my bits away from her bits, and she's been given one of those pieces of elastic that the girls get when you do those scenes, which protects them from all things, and my bits and pieces were in a little canvas sack with a drawstring,' Russell began. 

 'And it was actually my desire to keep the bits apart. It wasn't until the opening night of the film that it was pointed out by none other than Jackie McKenzie's beautiful late mother that we were in fact, in her mind, engaged in sodomy. 

'Anyway that was just a story about sensitivity!' He concluded but his 'joke' was met with a muted silence from the audience.

The scene mentioned was in the youth gang film, where the actors portrayed intimacy in an aggressive manner.

'I was sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie (female co-star) on the set of Romper Stomper. I didn't actually intend to do that': It's alleged the 'joke' did not please the crowd, with a silent audience reacting to his description of the event from more than 20 years ago

'I was sodomising Jacqueline McKenzie (female co-star) on the set of Romper Stomper. I didn't actually intend to do that': It's alleged the 'joke' did not please the crowd, with a silent audience reacting to his description of the event from more than 20 years ago

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Russell Crowe, the AACTA Awards and Channel Seven for comment.

The film producer and musician reportedly made the comments with his former co-star Jackie sitting in the crowd on the night.

Just days prior, the actress claimed she was the victim of 'grubby behaviour' and 'sexual harassment and groping' during her early career in a Facebook post.

'It was actually my desire to keep the bits apart': Russell apparently laughed as he told the tale about how despite the actress wearing 'one of those pieces of elastic' and himself wearing a ' canvas sack with a drawstring' they appeared to get a little too close for comfort

'It was actually my desire to keep the bits apart': Russell apparently laughed as he told the tale about how despite the actress wearing 'one of those pieces of elastic' and himself wearing a ' canvas sack with a drawstring' they appeared to get a little too close for comfort

The scene he was referring to was within the racist youth gang film, Romper Stomper, where the actors had sex in an aggressive manner

The scene he was referring to was within the racist youth gang film, Romper Stomper, where the actors had sex in an aggressive manner

Speaking out: Russell Crowe has defended his bizarre AACTA Awards joke about sodomy, after critics branded his speech 'tone deaf' 

Daily Mail Australia have reached out to AACTA organisers, Channel Seven and management for Russell Crowe for further comment

She also claimed a blind eye was turned when she raised the issue and her complaints were ignored on two occasions in the past.

On the red carpet before the event, Jackie told Guardian Australia: 'It's not just about sexual assault and harassment, it's bullying and bad behaviour in the industry.' 

What timing: Only a week earlier the actress had claimed she was the victim of 'grubby behaviour' and 'sexual harassment and groping' during her early career in a Facebook post

What timing: Only a week earlier the actress had claimed she was the victim of 'grubby behaviour' and 'sexual harassment and groping' during her early career in a Facebook post

'In all industries, no matter what job, gender or age, it occurs everywhere. I posted on Facebook last week about my experience … I'm really interested in effecting some change now,' she added.

The 50-year-old has remained too nervous to publicly 'out' her offenders in the past, but said they were predominantly 'actors/directors'. 

' I'm really interested in effecting some change now': The 50-year-old has remained too nervous to publicly 'out' her offenders in the past, but said they were predominantly 'actors/directors' 

' I'm really interested in effecting some change now': The 50-year-old has remained too nervous to publicly 'out' her offenders in the past, but said they were predominantly 'actors/directors'