Hugh Grant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh Grant
|
|
|---|---|
Grant in 2014
|
|
| Born |
Hugh John Mungo Grant
9 September 1960 Hammersmith, London, England
|
| Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982–present |
|
Works
|
Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Anna Elisabet Eberstein
(m. 2018) |
| Partner(s) | Elizabeth Hurley (1987–2000) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Rick Cosnett (third cousin) |
Hugh Grant (born 9 September 1960) is a famous English actor. He first became known for playing charming and sometimes shy romantic heroes. Later in his career, he started taking on many different kinds of roles.
Hugh Grant has won several important awards. These include a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) and a Golden Globe Award. He was also nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2006, he received an Honorary César award. Time Out magazine named him one of Britain's 50 greatest actors ever in 2022. His movies have earned over US$4 billion around the world.
Grant's first movie was Privileged (1982). He then starred in the romantic drama Maurice (1987). For this role, he won an award at the Venice Film Festival. He also appeared in historical dramas like The Remains of the Day (1993) and Sense and Sensibility (1995).
He became a big star with the romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). This movie won him a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. He continued to star in popular romantic comedies. These include Notting Hill (1999), Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), About a Boy (2002), and Love Actually (2003).
More recently, Grant has taken on different types of roles. He was nominated for two BAFTA Awards for his parts in Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) and Paddington 2 (2017). He has also appeared in science fiction films like Cloud Atlas (2012). He starred in action films such as The Gentlemen (2019) and the musical fantasy Wonka (2023). He also earned Emmy nominations for his roles in the TV miniseries A Very English Scandal (2018) and The Undoing (2020).
Hugh Grant has often spoken about his feelings on acting and fame. He has also been a strong voice against certain media practices.
Early Life and Education
Hugh Grant was born on 9 September 1960. His parents were Fynvola Susan MacLean and Captain James Murray Grant. His grandfather, Colonel James Murray Grant, was a brave soldier in World War II. Hugh Grant's family history includes many interesting people from Scotland and England.
His father was an officer in the army and later ran a carpet business. He also enjoyed golf and painting. Hugh's mother was a schoolteacher for over 30 years. She taught Latin, French, and music. She passed away at age 67.
Grant believes his mother gave him his acting talent. Even though his parents came from military families, he has said his family was not always rich when he was growing up. He spent many summers fishing with his grandfather in Scotland. Hugh also has an older brother, James, who works in banking.
Grant went to several schools in London. From 1969 to 1978, he attended Latymer Upper School. He was there on a scholarship and played rugby, cricket, and football. He also appeared on a quiz show called Top of the Form.
In 1979, he earned a scholarship to New College, Oxford. There, he studied English literature. At Oxford, he joined the drama society and acted in plays. He also starred in his first film, Privileged (1982). He decided not to pursue a PhD in art history to focus on acting.
Acting Career
Early Roles and First Success
After his first film, Privileged, Grant tried different jobs. He worked at Fulham Football Club, tutored students, and wrote comedy sketches. A talent agent saw him and offered to represent him. Grant initially said no, but then decided to try acting for a year to save money.
He got a small role in The Bounty (1984). To get his acting union card, he joined the Nottingham Playhouse and performed in plays.
Grant also formed a comedy group called The Jockeys of Norfolk with friends. They performed in pubs and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 1986, he played Eric Birling in a play called An Inspector Calls. Critics praised his performance.
His first main film role was in Maurice (1987). He and his co-star, James Wilby, won an award at the Venice Film Festival for their roles as lovers.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he continued to balance TV and film roles. He appeared in White Mischief (1987) and The Dawning (1988). He also starred in the horror film The Lair of the White Worm (1988). He played Lord Byron in a Spanish film and a champagne merchant in a TV movie.
In 1991, he played Frederic Chopin in Impromptu. In 1992, he was in Roman Polanski's film Bitter Moon. He also had a supporting role in The Remains of the Day (1993).
Becoming a Star with Four Weddings and a Funeral
At 32, Hugh Grant was thinking of quitting acting. But then he read the script for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). This movie became a huge success, earning over $244 million worldwide. It made him an international star overnight.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards. Grant won a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award for his role. This movie often led to him being cast as a charming, single man. Grant later said that while he owed his success to the film, it was sometimes frustrating. People thought he was exactly like his character, and that he could only play that type of role.
In 1994, Grant started his own film company, Simian Films Limited. His then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley, helped find projects. The company produced two films starring Grant.
Before Four Weddings and a Funeral was released, Grant worked with director Mike Newell again on An Awfully Big Adventure (1995). He played a theater director in this film. Critics noted that it showed his range as an actor. His next role was as a cartographer in The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995).
Grant's first big Hollywood movie was Nine Months (1995) with Julianne Moore. It was a box office hit but received poor reviews. Grant himself has said he was not happy with his performance in it. Next, he starred with Emma Thompson in her Academy Award-winning film Sense and Sensibility (1995). He also appeared in Restoration (1995). In 1996, he made his debut as a film producer with the thriller Extreme Measures.
After a three-year break, he starred with Julia Roberts in Notting Hill (1999). This film was written by Richard Curtis, who also wrote Four Weddings and a Funeral. Notting Hill became an even bigger hit, earning $363 million worldwide. It was praised by critics and became a classic romantic comedy.
Grant also produced and starred in the comedy Mickey Blue Eyes that year. It did not do as well with critics or at the box office.
Continuing Romantic Comedy Roles
In 2000, Grant appeared in Woody Allen's film Small Time Crooks. He played a tricky art dealer. Critics noted his ability to combine charm with a bit of nastiness in the role. In 2001, he played Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones's Diary. This role showed a different side of him, playing a charming but manipulative character. The film was a big international success.
In 2002, Grant starred as Will Freeman in About a Boy, based on a popular novel. Critics praised his performance. The Washington Post called it "that rare romantic comedy that dares to choose messiness over closure." The film earned Grant his third Golden Globe nomination. He also won Best British Actor from the London Film Critics Circle.
Around this time, Grant's appearance changed. He lost weight and changed his hairstyle. Critics noted that he looked older and more mature, which suited his new roles.
He then starred with Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice (2002). This film earned $199 million but received mixed reviews. In 2003, he was part of the large cast in Love Actually. He played the British Prime Minister. This Christmas film was a big hit, earning $246 million worldwide. It was directed by Richard Curtis.
In 2004, he returned as Daniel Cleaver for a small part in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Two years later, he reunited with director Paul Weitz for the comedy American Dreamz (2006). Grant played a harsh host of a reality TV show. Though the film did not do well financially, Grant's performance was highly praised.
In 2007, he starred with Drew Barrymore in Music and Lyrics. He played a former pop singer. Grant learned to sing and play piano for the role. The film earned $145 million. In 2009, he starred with Sarah Jessica Parker in Did You Hear About the Morgans?, which was not a critical or box office success.
Exploring New Roles
In 2012, Grant appeared in the science fiction film Cloud Atlas. He played six different characters in the movie. In the same year, he lent his voice to the animated film The Pirates! Band of Misfits. He then worked with director Marc Lawrence again on the film The Rewrite (2014). Grant's performance in this film was praised by many critics.
In 2015, he had a supporting role in Guy Ritchie's crime thriller The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Entertainment Weekly called his performance "the only bit of fun" in the film.
In 2016, Grant played St. Clair Bayfield in Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep. His performance received excellent reviews, with many critics calling it one of his best. He was nominated for several awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe.
His next role was as Phoenix Buchanan, the main villain in Paddington 2. This film was a big success with both audiences and critics. The Guardian described his performance as "scene-stealing." Grant won the London Film Critics' Circle Award for Supporting Actor of the Year for this role.
Recent Career Highlights
In 2018, Grant returned to television after 25 years. He starred as Jeremy Thorpe in the BBC One miniseries A Very English Scandal. This show and Grant's performance were highly praised. The New Statesman called it "the role of Grant's life." He was nominated for many awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
In 2019, Grant played a different kind of role in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen. He played Fletcher, a private investigator. Critics praised his performance, with The Hollywood Reporter calling him "a beating comic heart" of the film.
In 2020, Grant starred in the HBO miniseries The Undoing with Nicole Kidman. His performance was widely acclaimed. Critics noted how he expertly played a complex character, keeping viewers guessing. He received nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Award.
In 2023, Grant worked with Guy Ritchie again on the action film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. His performance was well-received. He then appeared as a con artist named Forge in the fantasy adventure film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Critics praised his funny performance as one of the villains.
Also in 2023, Grant played an Oompa-Loompa in Wonka, a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Director Paul King chose him because he felt the Oompa Loompas' voice in the book was "cynical, sarcastic, cruel, funny, but wicked," which reminded him of Hugh. Despite some initial discussion about his casting, Grant's performance was praised as "scene-stealing."
In 2024, Grant had a guest appearance in the HBO series The Regime. He was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for this role. The same year, he played a fictional version of Thurl Ravenscroft in the comedy film Unfrosted. Critics called his performance the film's "MVP."
Grant also starred in the horror film Heretic (2024). This was another "against-type" role for him, and his performance was described as "riveting." He received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award for this role. In 2025, Grant returned to the romantic comedy genre, reprising his role as Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Critics praised his performance, noting his "mischievous vitality" and "poignant commentary."
Acting Achievements
Throughout his career, Hugh Grant has received many awards. These include a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Volpi Cup for Best Actor. He has also been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Acting Style and Roles
Hugh Grant started his career playing many different kinds of characters. But after becoming famous in the mid-1990s, he mostly acted in comedies, especially romantic comedies. He has said he moved away from romantic comedies after the film Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) did not do well. In 2020, he mentioned that he got older and was no longer suited for romantic comedy roles, which he saw as a good thing.
Even though he has recently been in political dramas and crime films, many people still connect him with his romantic comedies. In the British media, younger romantic comedy actors are often compared to him.
Some film critics have defended his acting style, while others have said he only plays one type of character. Eric Fellner, who has worked with Grant for a long time, believes his full acting range has not been completely shown. Many of Grant's early films featured him as an optimistic single man who goes through funny situations to find love. He often used his "English gentleman" image for comedic effect.
Over time, Grant's characters in films from the 2000s became more cynical. Critics noted this change, saying he moved away from his earlier "adorable" mannerisms.
Grant has also acted in dramas. He played a theater director in An Awfully Big Adventure and a quiet Frédéric Chopin in Impromptu. In Cloud Atlas (2012), he played six "incredibly evil" characters. He enjoyed this experience, even though some roles were very different from what he was used to.
After Cloud Atlas, Grant has not starred in many romantic comedies. He has said that he approaches his roles carefully, working hard to make his acting seem natural. Even though he has often said acting was not his main goal, he stated in 2020 that he "enjoys acting now" after taking on more varied roles.
Personal Life
Hugh Grant is known for keeping his private life out of the spotlight. He has often said he finds being a celebrity boring. He has described himself as an actor by chance, hoping his fame would be a short phase.
People who have worked with him describe him as intelligent and witty. Filmmaker Paul Weitz said Grant is funny and cares about people despite their flaws. British newspapers sometimes call him "grumpy."
Grant is known for being a perfectionist on set. He often asks for many takes until he gets the shot exactly how he wants it. He has also stated that he does not take advice on his career decisions.
Relationships and Family
In 1987, Hugh Grant met actress Elizabeth Hurley while filming Remando Al Viento. They dated for many years and their relationship was often in the news. They separated in 2000. Grant is the godfather to Hurley's son, Damian.
Hugh Grant has five children with two women. In 2011, he had a daughter with Tinglan Hong. In 2012, his second child, a son, was born to Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein. Later that year, Hong gave birth to Grant's third child, a son.
Grant's two daughters with Anna Eberstein were born in 2015 and 2018. He and Anna Eberstein got married on 25 May 2018.
Political Views
Hugh Grant has been involved in discussions about media and privacy. In 2011, he spoke at a conference about a news scandal involving phone hacking. He has often spoken out against certain newspaper practices.
In the 2015 general election, Grant supported some candidates from the Liberal Democrats and Labour parties. During the 2019 general election, he campaigned for people to vote in a way that would prevent a Conservative majority and Brexit. He campaigned with candidates from different parties.
In the 2024 general election, Grant publicly supported Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. He said she was "a politician with integrity."
Sports and Hobbies
As a child, Hugh Grant played rugby and football at school. He is a big fan of Fulham Football Club. He also supports the Italian football club Como. His other interests include tennis and snooker.
Philanthropy
Hugh Grant supports several charities. He is a patron of the DIPEx Charity, which runs a health information website. He also supports the Fynvola Foundation, named after his late mother. This foundation helps adults with learning disabilities.
Since his mother passed away in 2001, Grant has worked as a fundraiser and ambassador for Marie Curie Cancer Care. He also supports Pancreatic Cancer Action.
In December 2023, Grant helped the Hammersmith and Fulham Council with their Christmas Day Lunch. He spent Christmas Day serving dinner to elderly residents who might otherwise be alone.
Investments
In 2001, Hugh Grant bought a print by artist Andy Warhol for £2 million. He later sold it in 2007 for £13 million.
See also
In Spanish: Hugh Grant para niños
