Coast guard rescues 'Gladiator'

Oscar winner Russell Crowe lost his way kayaking off New York's Long Island and was picked up and taken to a harbour, officials said.

The 48-year-old actor was kayaking with a friend. They launched from Cold Spring Harbour on Saturday on the Long Island Sound, according to US Coast Guard Petty Officer Robert Swieciki.

As it got dark, the two got lost and eventually headed for shore, beaching their kayaks in Huntington Bay, nearly 16km east of where they had set out.

The US Coast Guard was patrolling the area and heard Crowe call out to them from the shore at around 10pm, Swieciki said.

The Gladiator actor and his friend, whom Swieciki did not recognise, paddled over to the boat. The Coast Guard officers pulled them aboard and gave them a ride to Huntington Harbour.

"He just needed help, he got lost," Swieciki said. "It wasn't a rescue, really, more of just giving someone a lift."

Swieciki said the actor, who was grateful and friendly, seemed to be a fairly experienced kayaker.