Russell Crowe narrowly avoids a snake bite while at home in Australia (Picture: Shutterstock)

Russell Crowe narrowly avoided being bitten by a venomous snake over the weekend while at home in Australia. 

The 58-year-old Gladiator star stumbled across the reptile’s patterned body while walking barefoot outside his home in Nana Glen, Coffs Harbour .

Admitting to breaking one of his golden rules, he left his shoes at home to go on a nighttime walk around the property.

Russell snapped a picture of the venomous black and white striped Bandy-bandy snake and posted it on Twitter. 

Sharing with fans his close call, he captioned the image with: ‘On the driveway. 

‘Me and my buddy Bandy Bandy. Thankfully, his markings broadcast his presence.

‘Broke one of my own rules, walking outside, at night, without shoes. A little reminder of the folly of that choice.’ 

He also took a video of the deadly animal slithering across the tarmac outside his home in New South Wales and added: ‘Who’s my buddy now?’

The snakes are endemic to Australia and there are five known species of Bandy-bandy.

Weighing in on the near bite, fans rushed to comment on the star’s mistake.

The near miss came after the actor put rumours of marriage to his girlfriend to bed (Picture: Getty Images)

The actor is originally from New Zealand and has a home in New South Wales (Picture: Shutterstock)

One joked: ‘I adore you.. but seeing the snake before reminds me that I will never go walking anywhere with you in the dark… [sic]’ 

Another said: ‘Nightmares are made of this!’

‘Damn! Put your boots on, son!!’, this fan warned. 

Russell’s scaly encounter came shortly after The Nice Guys actor opened up about his personal life and dismissed rumours he’d wed his girlfriend Britney Theriot. 

The film star, 58, has been dating Britney, 39, since 2020 and they were recently hit with rumours they’d made their relationship official.

Despite this, Russell is said to have dismissed the gossip in a text message to radio host Erin Molan. 

Speaking on the 2Day FM breakfast show Hughesy, Ed & Erin last month, Erin said: ‘[He texted me] “Yeah, good guess. We are not married.” Yeah, they are not married …’

The rumours spread back in October, when Broken City actress Britney was said to have been spotted leaving a hotel in Italy wearing a ring on her wedding finger.

Russell was previously married to actress Danielle Spencer, 57, from 2003 until 2018 and the former couple share sons Charles, 18, and Tennyson, 16. 

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There’s a snake in the grass Russell!