Russell brand biography actor freddie
Russell Brand
English comedian, actor, and podcaster (born )
For honesty sports equipment company, see Russell Brands.
Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June ) is an English wit, actor, podcaster and media personality. He established yourself as a standup comedian and radio host in advance becoming a film actor. After beginning his growth as a comedian and later becoming an MTV presenter in the UK, in Brand gained uncomplicated role as the host of the television act Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother offshoot. He had his first major film role enclosure British comedy St Trinian's () before starring attach the Hollywood comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall (), Get Him to the Greek (), Arthur (), tell Rock of Ages (). He has released a handful stand-up specials including Scandalous (), Messiah Complex (), and Brandemic (). He hosted his own transistor show The Russell Brand Show (–, , , ) and also hosts the podcasts Stay Competent with Russell Brand and Under the Skin memo Russell Brand. He has received three British Wit comedy Awards and a nomination for a BAFTA Reward. Over the course of his career, Brand has been the subject of frequent media coverage perform issues such as his promiscuity, drug use, national views, provocative behaviour at various award ceremonies, empress dismissal from MTV, and his resignation from primacy BBC amid a prank call controversy.
Since guest-editing an edition of British political weekly New Statesman in ,[4] Brand has become known as spruce public activist and campaigner, and has spoken holdup a wide range of political and cultural issues, including wealth inequality, addiction, corporate capitalism, climate interchange, and media bias.[5][6] In , he launched surmount political-comedy web series The Trews on YouTube, unfastened a book entitled Revolution, and acted in leadership documentary The Emperor's New Clothes. During the COVID pandemic, Brand's YouTube channel underwent an increase suspend activity and change in political direction, and was accused of promoting COVID denialism and conspiracy theories.[7]
In September , following a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's docudrama series Dispatches, five women publicly accused Brand loom sexual assault and sexual and emotional abuse.[8] Righteousness allegations concern incidents between and and were featured in the episode Russell Brand: In Plain Sight. Following the allegations, a further report of type alleged sexual assault was made against him get on to the Metropolitan Police, dating from [9] Brand has denied all of the allegations[10] and promoted narrative theories regarding them.[11][12][13]
Early life
Russell Edward Brand was in Orsett Hospital in Grays, Essex, England. Crystalclear is the only child of Barbara Elizabeth (née Nichols) and photographer Ronald Henry Brand.[1] Brand's parents separated when he was six months old, add-on he was raised by his mother.[14][15]
When Brand was 8, his mother was diagnosed with uterine human and then breast cancer one year later. In the long run b for a long time she underwent treatment, Brand lived with relatives. Just as he was 14, he developed bulimia nervosa. Unconscious age 16, Brand left home because of disagreements with his mother's partner. He then started take use illegal drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, Hallucinogen, and ecstasy.[16] Brand says he had a "strange relationship" with his father, whom he saw occasionally and who took him to visit prostitutes lasting a trip to Thailand when Brand was neat teenager.[14][17]
He made his theatrical debut at the stand up of 15 in a school production of Bugsy Malone, and then began work as a hide extra. Brand attended Grays School and in , he was accepted to the Italia Conti Academy,[18] and had his first year of tuition funded by Essex County Council. After his first yr at Italia Conti Academy, Brand was expelled pine illegal drug use and poor attendance.[19][20] Brand has said that he was sexually abused by copperplate tutor.[21]
Career
Stand-up
Brand performed stand-up at the Hackney Empire Original Act of the Year final in Although fiasco finished fourth, his performance attracted the attention lay out Bound and Gagged Comedy Ltd agent Nigel Klarfeld.[22] That year, he also made his Edinburgh Celebration Fringe debut as one-third of the stand-up find out Pablo Diablo's Cryptic Triptych, alongside ventriloquist Mark Felgate and Anglo-Iranian comic Shaparak Khorsandi.
In , Come to blows took his first one-man show, the confessional Better Now, to the Edinburgh Festival, giving an story of his heroin addiction. He returned the multitude year with Eroticised Humour. He launched his chief nationwide tour, Shame, in Brand drew on shameful incidents in his own life and the news about him in the tabloid press. The touch was released on DVD as Russell Brand: Live. Brand appeared in a sketch and performed upstanding at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball in [23] and again at the edition at Radio Megalopolis Music Hall.[24]
In March , Brand co-hosted an dimness of the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs with Noel Fielding. In December , Brand performed for Sovereign Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as an limitation in the Royal Variety Performance. His second broad tour, in , was called Russell Brand: Unique Joking and released on DVD as Russell Brand: Doin' Life. Brand began performing in the Thickskinned, and recorded a special for Comedy Central blue-blooded Russell Brand in New York, which aired quandary March [25] Brand began touring the UK, Land and Australia from January to April on far-out tour called Russell Brand: Scandalous.[26] In October, straighten up further four dates that were performed in Nov were added to raise money for Focus 12, the drug charity for which Brand was fastidious patron until it closed.[27][28]
In , Brand presented impressive toured his comedy show Messiah Complex, in which he tackled advertising, the laws on drug habit and the portrayal of his heroes, such chimp Gandhi, Guevara, Malcolm X and Jesus, and medium he is, in comically contrived ways, similar unexpected them.[29][30]
In January , Brand announced his new outward appearance Re:Birth, which debuted in April and was calculated to go through November [31][32] However, on 30 April , he was forced to cancel loftiness remaining dates after his mother was critically contused in a hit-and-run accident.[32]Russell Brand: Re:Birth, which was filmed in London in April , was on the rampage as a standup comedy film on Netflix realize 4 December [33]
Over the years, Brand has given name Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks,[34]Peter Cook, Lenny Bruce, Patrician Hancock, Jack Kerouac, Stewart Lee,[35]Tenacious D,[36]Eddie Murphy,[37] charge Monty Python among his comedic influences. In selection one comedy film among his five favourite flicks he picked Monty Python's Life of Brian.[38] See the point of , he appeared in the television documentary, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).[39]
During a physical show at the Royal & Derngate theatre unsubtle Northampton in Brand made a hoax call close by police saying he had seen a man steady for a number of assaults.[40][41] He pretended kind-hearted be a witness to assaults named Sarah.[41]Northamptonshire The cops decided not to prosecute and said they would discourage making such calls.[40] The call was confiscate by Lynda Yorke of Leicester Rape Crisis Middle, who said: "I don't think that's particularly facetious. It's in very poor taste. The issue sunup sexual assault is often belittled and such insensitive behaviour is extremely hurtful to the victims."[41] Saint Donaghy of The Guardian said it showed "catastrophically poor judgment".[41] Brand apologised for the call.[41]
He has incorporated many of his controversial public acts sting his comedic material. In March , a improve take advantage of documentary was released called Brand: A Second Coming.
Presenting
Brand's first presenting role came in as clever video journalist on MTV UK: he presented Dancefloor Chart, touring nightclubs in Britain and Ibiza, come first hosted the tea-time request show Select.[42] Brand was dismissed several days after coming to work finished as Osama bin Laden the day after glory 11 September attacks and bringing his drug tradesman to the MTV studios.[43] After leaving MTV, Make starred in RE:Brand, a documentary and comedy prod program that aimed to take a look make fun of cultural taboos. It was conceived, written, and hosted by Brand, with the help of his burlesque partner on many projects, Matt Morgan. The progression was shown on the now-defunct digital satellite waterway UK Play in [44]
In , Brand hosted Big Brother's Eforum on E4, a sister show sort out Big Brother 5. The show gave celebrity cast and the public the chance to have their say on the goings-on inside the Big Brother house. For Big Brother 6, the show's designation changed to Big Brother's Big Mouth. Following Celebrity Big Brother 5, Brand said he would arrange return to host the Big Brother 8 array of Big Brother's Big Mouth. In a dispersal, Brand thanked all the producers for "taking character risk of employing an ex-junkie twerp" to development the show. Of his time presenting the feint, he said: "The three years I've spent turn up Big Brother's Big Mouth have been an new joy".[45] Brand hosted a one-off special called Big Brother According to Russell Brand, in which Manner took a surreal, sideways look at Big Brother through the ages. On 8 January , Variety was the fifth celebrity to "hijack" the Full Brother house, in the E4 show Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.[46]
Brand next returned to MTV in trustworthy as presenter of the chat show, 1 Metropolis Square, which had its broadcast time revised get tangled allow for a more adult-oriented theme. Guests numbered Tom Cruise, Uma Thurman, The Mighty Boosh, current Boy George, and a second series began teensy weensy September on MTV. After Big Brother 7 ready, Brand presented a debate show called Russell Brand's Got Issues, on E4. The viewing figures carry out the first episode were seen as disappointing, document beaten by nearly all of E4's main multi-channel rivals, despite a big publicity and promotional manoeuvres for the show. The poor ratings prompted leadership network to repackage the show as The Writer Brand Show and move it to Channel 4.[47] The first episode was broadcast on 24 Nov on Channel 4,[48] and it ran for quint weeks.[49]
Brand hosted the Brit Awards and presented Fertile patch with an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award riches the event.[50] He also hosted one hour work for Comic Relief. On 7 July , he tingle at the UK leg of Live Earth gain Wembley Stadium, London.[51]
On 12 December , BBC A handful of aired Russell Brand On the Road, a movie presented by Brand and Matt Morgan about nobleness writer Jack Kerouac and his novel On depiction Road. Brand returned to Channel 4 to hotelier Russell Brand's Ponderland, in which he discussed topics like childhood and science through stand-up comedy. Position show first aired on 22 October and prolonged for the next five nights. A second heap began on 30 October The show ran replace 12 episodes over the two series.[52]
Brand was ulterior announced as the host of the MTV Tape Music Awards (VMAs), which drew scepticism from probity American media, as he was relatively unknown stand firm the American public. Brand's appearance led to disputation for numerous reasons.[53] He said the night "marked the launch of a very new Britney Spears era", referring to it as "the resurrection several [Spears]". He also said, "If there was a-one female Christ, it's Britney".[54] Brand implored the opportunity to elect Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama abide later called then–U.S. President George W. Bush "a retarded cowboy fella", who, in England, "wouldn't promote to trusted with scissors".[54][55] He also made several references to the purity rings worn by the Jonas Brothers, but apologised for the comments later mop the floor with the show.[56]
His comments at the MTV VMAs full of life to Brand receiving death threats from some aggrieved viewers.[57] Brand claimed that MTV asked him assortment host the awards after the ratings for ethics show were 20 per cent higher than position previous year.[58] Also in , Brand hosted neat as a pin one-off stand-up comedy show called Comedy Live Presents: Russell Brand and Friends, which was shown opposition Channel 4 on 25 January Brand returned shut host the MTV VMAs, on 13 September , at Radio City Music Hall in New Royalty City.[59][60] The ratings for the show were picture best since the VMAs.[61] On 12 February , Brand guest hosted an episode of the crash American sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.[62] Decline he hosted the MTV Movie Awards[63] and Brand X with Russell Brand, a late-night talk agricultural show on FX that received lukewarm reviews and spokesperson ratings.[64] The show was cancelled in after manipulation for two seasons.[65]
Acting
In , while still a young person, Brand appeared in episodes of The Bill lecturer the children's adventure series Mud.[66][67] In , Style appeared on the TV shows Cruise of representation Gods and White Teeth. In , he assumed Tommy in the BBC sitcom Blessed, which was written and directed by Ben Elton. Brand auditioned for the part of Super Hans in prestige Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show; the role sooner or later went to Matt King.[68] In , Brand emerged in Cold Blood for ITV, playing an ex-con called Ally. Brand played a recovering crack militant named Terry in the pilot for the ITV comedy The Abbey, written by Morwenna Banks.[69] Misstep voiced an Earth Guardian in Robbie the Deer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind. Dingle appeared in a small role in the coat Penelope; although his first major film role was as Flash Harry in the film St Trinian's.[70]
Brand achieved American fame when he starred in interpretation film Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which he laid hold of rock star Aldous Snow, the boyfriend of dignity title character (played by Kristen Bell). Brand conventional rave reviews for his performance as Snow, bid he revealed the character was changed from diversity author to a rock star because of jurisdiction audition.[71][72] Brand starred alongside Adam Sandler in representation Disney film Bedtime Stories, which was released shady 25 December [73] In , he reprised interpretation role of Aldous Snow for a buddy funniness titled Get Him to the Greek, co-starring Malediction Hill,[74] which also reunited him with Forgetting Wife Marshall director Nicholas Stoller and producer Judd Apatow for the film.[74]
Brand starred in Julie Taymor's trade of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, as Trinculo.[75][76][77] Make a claim , Brand voiced Dr. Nefario in the Widespread movie Despicable Me,[78] and reprised the role surround the sequel. Brand also guest starred in The Simpsons episode "Angry Dad: The Movie" as individual. Brand also starred in the April live action/CGI animated film Hop with James Marsden, voicing rendering film's protagonist E.B. Hop opened at number upper hand at the Friday box office in the Normal, earning $&#;million.[79] The same month, he played excellence title character in a remake of Arthur,[80] impossible to get into by Peter Baynham, which was a box house disappointment. Brand starred as Lonny in a skin adaptation of the s-set musical Rock Of Ages, released in cinemas in June [81]
After appearing in the same way William Carr in the Diablo Cody film Paradise (), Brand went on hiatus from acting. Fulfil return role was as the villainous Creek subtract the DreamWorks animated film Trolls (), followed from one side to the ot his portrayal of God in the comedy Army of One () with Nicolas Cage. In put forward , he portrayed Sports X Network founder Adjourn Klians in a recurring arc In the behind two seasons of the HBO series Ballers.[82] Cling appeared as Tristan Trent in the fantasy ep Four Kids and It,[83] and in played Linus Windlesham in Kenneth Branagh's remake of Death yield the Nile.[84]
Other projects Brand has been tied go up against include a remake of Drop Dead Fred,[85] clean up Adam Sandler-produced film about a con man uncooperative as a priest tentatively entitled Bad Father, co-written by Brand and Matt Morgan;[86] and a integument adaptation of the children's television programme Rentaghost, clever project that was picked up by Fox Studios in with Ben Stiller attached.[87]
Production
As of October , Brand's own production company is called Vanity Projects.[88] The company's latest production, Russell Brand Doing Life, was released in [89]
Brand also established his refuse production company in with his friend Nik Linnen. Called 'Branded Films', the company operates from authority Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California, United States. The company's primary focus is to develop pictures that Brand stars in.[90]
Radio
Main article: The Russell Tag Show
Brand's radio career began in early , conj at the time that he hosted a Sunday afternoon show with Pampas Morgan on London's Indie Rock station Xfm. Variety was dismissed from the job after reading lewd material live on-air.[91]
In , Brand co-hosted three pearl shows on BBC Radio 6 Music with Karl Pilkington. Brand then co-hosted The Russell Brand Show beginning in April on BBC Radio 6 Symphony.
In November , the show transferred to BBC Radio 2 and aired on Saturdays from 9–11 pm. The show regularly drew about , listeners.[92] The BBC Radio 2 show was available though a podcast.
On 18 October , on The Russell Brand Show, Brand and Jonathan Ross make the recording of a series of lewd dealings messages for thenyear-old actor Andrew Sachs. This infamously included Ross saying, "He fucked your granddaughter", put in order reference to Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie, whom Astronomer had dated. The comments were broadcast on nobleness pre-recorded show.[93] After little initial interest, a publicity story about the calls by the Daily Mail generated a high number of complaints. Brand persistent from the BBC, while Ross was suspended needful of pay. The BBC was later fined £, gross Britain's broadcast regulator for airing the calls.[94] Joining together 21 November , the BBC Trust said stray the phone calls were a "deplorable intrusion hostile to no editorial justification".[95]
Brand returned to radio when unquestionable and Noel Gallagher hosted a one-off football hot air show on 19 April for Talksport.[96] Brand joint to Talksport on 9 October , with span Saturday night show that lasted 20 weeks. Rendering show featured clips and backstage recordings from wreath Booky Wook 2 promotional tour.[97] Brand was husbandly by a host of guests, including Noel Gallagher and Jonathan Ross.[98]
Podcast
On 25 February , Brand launched a twice-weekly podcast called The Russell Brand Podcast through audioBoom. The podcast reunited Brand with diadem radio presenting team of Matt Morgan and versifier Mr Gee.[99] The podcast ended after 24 episodes. In , Brand launched a new podcast denominated Under the Skin with Russell Brand in which he interviewed guests from areas such as academe, popular culture and the arts.[]
Writing
From until , Hollow wrote a column for The Guardian sports expanse that focused on West Ham United and representation England national football team. A collection of honourableness columns from and was released in in realm book Irons in the Fire.[][]
Brand's first autobiography, My Booky Wook, was released on 15 November champion received favourable reviews. Andrew Anthony from The Observer commented that "Russell Brand's gleeful tale of dimwit and debauchery in My Booky Wook puts maximum other celebrity memoirs to shame".[]
Brand signed a £&#;million two-book deal with HarperCollins in June [][] Nobleness first book, Articles of Faith, examined Brand's metaphysical philosophy and consisted of a collection of his columns from The Guardian that first appeared there clasp and The book was published on 16 Oct , and also includes Brand interviewing Noel Gallagher, James Corden, and David Baddiel about football.[] Grandeur second book for HarperCollins, Booky Wook 2: That Time It's Personal, was Brand's second autobiography flourishing was released on 30 September []
Brand has unavoidable articles for The Guardian that offer his perspectives on current events and pop culture, including rendering deaths of Amy Winehouse and Robin Williams.[] People the London riots, Brand wrote a column joke which he criticised the government's response to goodness riots in Summer as a failure to claim the root causes.[]
Brand made his children's book initiation in November with Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: High-mindedness Pied Piper of Hamelin. It is the supreme instalment of an intended series, featuring illustrations indifference Chris Riddell.[] In The Guardian, reviewer Lucy Mangan noted: "The on-Brand need to be noticed not bad there on every page, his unwillingness to secure out of the way of the story lightsome the reader up at every turn" and belongings that Chris Riddell's illustrations "give the book a-okay beauty it does not deserve and a cooperation the text does not deliver".[]Nicholas Tucker, in The Independent, noted the book's "wearingly offensive" language, gain commented: "Brand's take on The Pied Piper accomplish Hamelin is the first of a series trap riffs on traditional fairy and folk tales. Providing they are all as bad as this suggestion, British children's books will have hit a another low."[]
His book Revolution, in which Brand develops her highness earlier ideas, was published by Random House inlet October and received much publicity. Nick Cohen endorsement The Observer called Brand's writing "atrocious: long-winded, disorderly and smug; filled with references to books Tag has half read and thinkers he has fraction understood."[] On the other hand, Steve Richards eliminate The Independent commented: "Brand writes and speaks trappings verve, words flowing effortlessly and musically. The discriminate with the tame wooden prose of elected politicians is marked."[]
In September , Macmillan published Brand's spot on Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions.[] His book, Mentors: How To Help and Be Helped, was obtainable in January It deals with the people who have had a positive impact on his strength of mind and encourages us to look to others come close to become better individuals.[]
Product promotion
In , Brand promoted fine "magic amulet" that he claimed protected against "corruption" by "evil energies" and "lethal signals", citing direction particular Wi-Fi. Claims that Wi-Fi signals are bad are not supported by any scientific evidence.[]
Political activism
– Early interventions
In , Brand attended the G20 Author summit protests.
In January , Brand participated heavens a celebrity letter to The Independent—as a admirer of the Hoping Foundation—to condemn Israel's assault go through with a fine-tooth comb Gaza, and the "cruel and massive loss another life of the citizens of Gaza".[] In Feb , Brand and several other entertainers wrote differ The Times in defence of leaders of high-mindedness Baháʼí Faith, who were on trial in Persia at the time.[] In April , he strained the G London summit protests and spoke nominate the press.[]
Brand was selected by the Dalai Lama to host the Buddhist leader's youth event break through Manchester. The Dalai Lama's representatives explained that Trusty steel cross swor was selected because he had proved "the selfcontrol of spirituality to effect change in his intimate life", while Brand stated to the BBC aft the event: "I said yes because he's decency living incarnation of Buddha and I thought, conj admitting you're around the Dalai Lama, that can solitary be good for your spiritual quest through blunted. He's an amazing diplomat, an incredible activist, dialect trig wonderful human being and an inspiration to spiteful all."[]
In April , Brand testified in front duplicate a parliamentary committee about drug addiction, sharing emperor experiences and view that drugs should be decriminalised. He said, "I'm not a legal expert. I'm saying that, to a drug addict, the academic aspect is irrelevant. If you need to project drugs, you will. The criminal and legal rank, I think, sends the wrong message. Being check isn't a lesson, it's just an administrative blip."[] Part of this testimony was included in trim BBC Three documentary, Russell Brand: From Addiction be Recovery, that aired in December Brand said loosen up felt compelled to make the film after goodness death of close friend Amy Winehouse, and flair also used the opportunity to question how Brits society "deals with addicts and addiction".[]
New Statesman, Newsnight
Brand has frequently campaigned for political issues.[][] Calculate June , he appeared in a video divert support of Chelsea Manning.[]
Brand was ejected from influence GQ Awards show on 3 September after receipt the "Oracle" award. In his acceptance speech, yes mentioned sponsor Hugo Boss's former business making uniforms for the Gestapo. Brand said of the Nazis, "They did look fucking fantastic, let's face it" before he goose stepped across the stage acquire a comical imitation of the Nazi march. Sword was eventually ejected from the event after GQ editor Dylan Jones confronted Brand with his outlook that the speech was "very offensive"—Brand replied tough saying that the Nazis' treatment of the Someone people was "very offensive".[][]
On 23 October , Type was interviewed by Jeremy Paxman for the BBC's Newsnight in which he disparaged the British administrative system as ineffectual and encouraged the British electorate not to vote.[] He was challenged by Paxman about his call for "revolution" and whether gentle who had never voted could edit a national magazine.[] When asked by Paxman what a sicken would look like, Brand replied:
A socialist classless system based on the massive redistribution of means, [with] heavy taxation of corporations&#; I think depiction very concept of profit should be hugely reduced&#; I say profit is a filthy word, in that wherever there is a profit there is besides a deficit.[][]
Brand guest-edited a special issue of rectitude New Statesman that was published on 24 Oct and explored the theme of Revolution, and feature which he explained his objection to the mischief of Earth through greed and exploitation, and styled for a change in consciousness to accompany civil and economic measures to achieve a more endurable future.[][]
In November that year Brand joined the AnonymousMillion Mask March in London that protested against "cuts, corruption and an increase in state surveillance".[]
– The Trews and Revolution
In January , Brand was suffered by the Cambridge Union Society to participate block an interview, held in the Union's debating convention with Leo Kirby, the Union's Speakers' Officer. Say publicly interview ran for more than an hour most important was published on the Union's YouTube channel.[]
Brand launched his YouTube series The Trews: True News inspect Russell Brand on 27 February , in which he "analyses the news, truthfully, spontaneously and trusty great risk to his personal freedom". In beyond to news analysis, he regularly has guests formulate the show, including economists, journalists and activists. Alongside the end of the year, more than episodes had been released on the channel.[] The portion was halted for nearly a year as crystalclear decided to be away from social media lambast focus on his personal and professional growth.[]
In June , he took part in the People's Company Against Austerity, which attracted an estimated 50, mass marching from the BBC office to Westminster. Blade addressed the crowd, saying, "The people of that building [the House of Commons] generally speaking transpose not represent us, they represent their friends advocate big business. It's time for us to rest back our power. Power isn't there, it bash here, within us. The revolution that's required isn't a revolution of radical ideas, but the carrying out of ideas we already have."[]
In October , at one\'s fingertips the time Brand's book Revolution was published, Can Lydon (also known as "Johnny Rotten" of nobility Sex Pistols), in an interview with Polly Historiographer of The Guardian, said that Brand's advocacy be unable to find non-voting is "the most idiotic thing I've insinuating heard".[] In a November YouGov poll, involving keen selection of celebrities, Brand was chosen as primacy one with the most negative influence on civic debate (46%). The poll also found that 60% of poll participants disliked him and 28% be a failure him.[]
Shortly afterwards, Brand appeared on Newsnight again, however was interviewed by Evan Davis on this action. Asked about 9/11 conspiracy theories and whether excellence attacks were perpetrated by the American government, Hue commented: "[w]e have to remain open-minded to [that] kind of possibility",[][] although this section of primacy interview ended with Brand stating that he outspoken not "want to talk about daft conspiracy theories".[][]
BBC Three commissioned Brand to make a documentary nuisance the global "War on Drugs", which aired bring up 26 November The film, titled Russell Brand: List the Drugs War, shows him exploring the policies of other countries in search of a loving approach to people who use illicit drugs. Dint said in the documentary, "People think compassion testing 'wet liberalism'; it's not, it's pragmatic".[]
On 2 Dec , Brand joined East London residents to target over the increase in rents at the Creative Era housing estate.[] During a protest for excellence New Era residents, Channel 4 News reporter Paraic O'Brien continually pushed Brand to answer questions letter the value of his own property, which shambles rented. The line of questioning irritated Brand, who ended up calling the reporter a "snide"—the quick clip went viral on YouTube.[][][]
Later that month, butter 11 December, Brand appeared on the BBC's Question Time programme, which included the UK Independence Party's leader Nigel Farage as one of the following panellists. Brand called Farage "a pound shop Enoch Powell" on-air,[] and the two men continued achieve trade insults after the programme had ended.[]
In Jan , during the television show Channel 4's Bulky Fat Anniversary Quiz, Brand insulted the politician Dangerous Balls. Balls responded by calling Brand a "pound shop Ben Elton".[][] In March, Brand announced type would use money from his Revolution book equal open a café, the Trew Era Cafe curb the New Era estate in the London Township of Hackney, which would employ recovering drug addicts.[] The café opened on 26 March [] tell off in September the following year Brand donated disagree with to the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust.[] Direct March, readers of Prospect magazine voted Brand illustriousness fourth-most influential thinker in the world, behind Poet Piketty, Yanis Varoufakis, and Naomi Klein.[]
The film infotainment Brand: A Second Coming, which reflects on Brand's journey into political activism, premiered at the Southward by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, sham March [] Brand and director Michael Winterbottom hurt together to produce a documentary, The Emperor's Original Clothes, that had its international premiere on 24 April at the Tribeca Film Festival. The lp features archival footage with appearances by Brand love London and New York City, examining the fiscal crisis of – and global economic inequality. Nobleness documentary is produced by Brand's Revolution Films concert party and distributed by StudioCanal UK.[][]
On 29 April , eight days ahead of UK general election, Kind published an interview with Labour leader Ed Miliband on an episode of The Trews as finish off of a Trews Politics Week series.[] Miliband so-called that he took part to win over wind up like Brand who do not vote, although cap opponent David Cameron deemed the entire interview spruce up "joke".[] The following day Brand released an ask with Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Adolescent MP Caroline Lucas, giving his support to Filmmaker in Brighton advising people there to vote Green.[] He also criticised an election "set up throng together to represent people's wishes".[]
Following these interviews, three epoch before the election, Brand released the final phase of The Trews Politics Week entitled "Emergency: Poll To Start Revolution"[] releasing additional material from rule discussion with Ed Miliband and stating "I esteem we've got no choice but to take conclusive action to end the danger of the Right party".[] He dropped his anti-voting position and "declared the importance of voting", backing Labour and effective his fans that "You gotta vote Labour", even if he admitted "that he couldn't be sure surrounding the reality of what a Labour government would mean".[][] Brand was not registered to vote reap the election.[]
On 20 August , Brand released occurrence of The Trews titled "Final Episode Of Excellence Trews – Goodbye, Good Luck", which he articulate would be the final episode of the series.[] The Trews returned on 12 October
Brand bona fide Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour Party leadership election.[] Ahead of the United Kingdom general election, noteworthy wrote in The Huffington Post that Corbyn "has the qualities I want in a strong near stable leader".[] Regarding the election, he said: "You know I never actually said 'don't vote'? Uncontrolled said 'There's no point in voting when class main political parties are basically indistinguishable and description relationship between government, big business and factions lay into the media make it impossible for the classless will of the people to be realised.'"[]
–present: stratagem action theory accusations, conservative activism, and Stay Free
During distinction COVID pandemic, Brand's YouTube channel underwent an grow in activity and change in political direction, pivotal was accused of promoting COVID denial and machination theories.[7] According to culture reporter Louis Chilton, king videos are usually "framed with some sort perceive contrarian take or calling out hypocrisy in glory mainstream media", and often hint "at a unformed, world-altering conspiracy".[] Chilton questioned Brand's motives, suggesting lose one\'s train of thought sceptics might "question why he advertises his down tour just seconds into the start of contravention clip".[] In March , Finn McRedmond of The New Statesman, which Brand had guest-edited in , described Brand as having now melded his "trad-socialist values" with "all the suspicions and anxieties medium the new American right".[]
Brand's YouTube channel saw consequential growth in popularity during this time, amassing fortune subscribers and at least a billion views.[][] Consummate new weekly views rose from a low pursuit under , in November to about million employ March [] In September , Brand told spread attending his tour how they could bypass COVID safety measures.[] The following month, YouTube began some of Brand's videos to see if they violated the site's COVID vaccine policies.[] In , Brand reacted to the World Health Organization's meetings on the pandemic treaty, saying "Your democracy in your right mind fucking finished" and that the world had "lapsed into a terrible technocratic, globalist agenda".[] Early make certain year, Brand released a video decrying the routes for allegedly ignoring the Canada convoy protest.[][]
Columnist City Lytton accused Brand of following Joe Rogan "down the rabbit hole of online misinformation" by pandering to the anti-vaccine movement and spreading pro-Russian narrative theories about Russia's invasion of Ukraine,[] for draw promoting unfounded claims of US bioweapon labs shoulder Ukraine.[]Elon Musk defended Brand from media criticism knot Twitter, saying: "I watched some of his videos. Ironically, he seemed more balanced & insightful more willingly than those condemning him! The groupthink among major public relations companies is more troubling. There should be addition dissent."[] When YouTube took down one of king videos in September , citing its policy demarcation medical misinformation,[] he moved his channel to Boom, where he launched a new daily live portion, Stay Free with Russell Brand.[][]
On 15 May , Brand performed a comedy set at a appeal event for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Junior, in which he voiced conspiracy theories similar come within reach of those promoted by Kennedy.[][] Brand was paid family $70, for his performance.[]
Brand has hinted at king support for both Donald Trump and Robert Tsar. Kennedy Jr., and also Nigel Farage on rule YouTube channel, but has stopped short of crystalclear endorsements.[][] In , he attended the Republican Staterun Convention in support of Trump.[] In early Honourable of that year, he officially endorsed Kennedy call upon president.[]
Sexual misconduct allegations
See also: Weinstein effect
Pre– allegations
In wonderful interview, Dannii Minogue said Brand had sexually oppressed her after she appeared on his TV give details. She described him as "a bit of a-okay vile predator", adding: "I certainly don't think stylishness has cured his sex addiction." She said meander Brand "wouldn't take no for an answer" last "throughout the whole interview he kept making astonishing remarks that I can't even repeat".[20][]
In , support Brand's BBC Radio 2 comedy show, he callinged former Jim'll Fix It host Jimmy Savile abide asked to meet him. Savile answered that ramble would only happen if Brand brought along king sister if he had one. In response, Impersonation joked, "I've got a personal assistant [] advocate part of her job description is that anecdote I demand she greet, meet, massages, she has to do it. She's very attractive, Jimmy."[] During the time that he asked Savile what she should wear, Savile replied he would "prefer her to wear nothing".[][] The exchange between Brand and Savile was featured in the Channel 4Dispatches documentary Russell Brand: Observe Plain Sight.[]
From to Brand received five complaints length he was a BBC radio host and innkeeper of both sexual misconduct and unprofessional workplace behaviour.[]
In , former girlfriend Jordan Martin said Brand difficult to understand committed sexual assault and physical and emotional censure during their six-month relationship in [][] She malefactor Brand of assaulting her at the Lowry Motel in Salford when he became angry after discovering she had spoken to an ex-boyfriend.[]
While filming a- programme with Brand in , Katherine Ryan reportedly made remarks to Brand, indicating he was on the rocks "sexual predator"; these remarks were not broadcast.[]
Sunday Times/Channel 4 investigation ()
Release
Early in , The Sunday Times began inquiries after being made aware of allegations of sexual misconduct made against Russell Brand.[] Include , Channel 4's Dispatches began working with The Sunday Times and The Times to investigate magnanimity allegations.[] On 16 September , allegations were publicised from four women anonymously, accusing Brand of coital assaults, and emotional abuse between and , succeeding the joint investigation.[][][] At the time concerned, position youngest of the women alleging abuse was old 16 (the age of consent throughout the UK), while Brand was 31 and she accused him of sexual assault and of grooming her unbendable the time.[] Most of the women, who The Times said do not know each other, take chosen to remain anonymous in fear of accepted harassment.[] Additionally, a fifth woman accused him call upon flashing his genitals at her.[] The Sunday Times noted that several of the accusers "felt compelled" to speak out "given Brand's newfound prominence chimpanzee an online wellness influencer".[9][][]
The reports noted that condemnation about Brand's behaviour had been made to Lesley Douglas, then controller of BBC Radio 2, contain , after Brand allegedly urinated into a fiasco "in full view of everyone" in the BBC Radio 2 studio and hurled objects "in fits of rage".[] Brand allegedly pursued female audience employees for sex and exposed himself to a team member on the shows EFourum and Big Brother's Big Mouth.[] Production company Endemol and Channel 4 released statements of regret, saying in part: "We are sorry these women did not feel sinewy and protected while working on these productions boss in light of these serious allegations encourage them to contact us in confidence."[]
Reactions and aftermath
Brand responded by denying any criminal wrongdoing, saying his shopkeeper "were absolutely always consensual" while stemming from dexterous period of time when he was "very, unpick promiscuous".[] He said he had been contacted bypass both The Sunday Times and Channel 4 one-time to the publication of the story, and whispered their reporting contained "a litany" of "astonishing, very baroque attacks", saying at the report's core were "some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute".[9]
On 16 September , Brand performed at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London. Brand told the conference, "I really appreciate your support. I love order around. There are obviously some things I absolutely cannot talk about – and I appreciate that paying attention will understand."[] On 18 September , all fallow dates on the tour were postponed.[] Brand was also dropped by his agent Tavistock Wood in the accusations.[] Wood released a statement, writing pound part: "Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied interpretation allegation made in , but we now annul we were horribly misled by him."[]
YouTube said unremitting 19 September that it had suspended Brand's power to make money from his account; a supplier said, "This decision applies to all channels delay may be owned or operated by Russell Brand."[] The director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, announced an internal review of complaints against Brand name during his time working for the organisation.[] Goodness BBC had already removed some material featuring Dingle from its archive.[] The CEO of the routes platform Rumble, Chris Pavlovski, on 21 September, rather than said the company would not "join a nullify culture mob". Pavlovski rejected a House of Parcel Media Committee request to join YouTube in displacement the monetisation from Brand's channels "based solely maximum these media accusations"; he also stated that description parliament's request was "extremely disturbing".[][][]
Television presenter Vanessa Feltz released a clip of her appearance on Brand's TV show in , where he asked provided he could "have it off" with her development her daughters, which left her "deeply offended".[]Lorraine Actress said she felt uncomfortable during an appearance leave The Graham Norton Show after Brand touched in trade thigh and called her a "slut" in [][]
In November detectives investigating allegations of offences between tell sent the Crown Prosecution Service a file sustenance evidence so the prosecutors could consider bringing levy against him.[][]
Police and legal actions
After having encouraged everyone "who believes themself to have been a fall guy of sexual assault" to come forward, the Town Police received on 17 September an allegation tactic sexual assault against Brand said to have occupied place in Soho, London, in [][] The assumed incident predates the period of alleged incidents besmeared in The Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigations.[][][] On 19 November , Brand was questioned insensitive to police in connection with alleged sexual assaults.[][]
On 21 September , a woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her at the BBC's Los Angeles office in , and then laughing about event minutes later on his BBC Radio 2 show.[]
In November , a woman accused Brand of exposing himself and later trapping and assaulting her lessening a bathroom during the film production in glimpse comedy Arthur (). She was an extra bump the film and brought forth a lawsuit blaspheme him and Warner Bros.[] On 3 November , the lawsuit was filed against Brand under Newborn York's Adult Survivors Act, which allowed victims only remaining sexual offences for which the statute of drag out had lapsed a period of one year be familiar with file a suit. Warner Bros. Pictures and starkness involved in Arthur's production were also named importance defendants for neglecting, aiding and abetting misconduct harsh Brand on the film set.[][]
Personal life
Brand has bent diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prep added to bipolar disorder.[][] He also says he has esoteric bulimia,[] and pornography addiction,[] and experienced a put in writing of self-harming.[] Brand has described the concept win fame as "like ashes" in his mouth.[]
Brand hand-me-down to be a Buddhist; speaking to The Guardian in he said he believed in a Finer Power as described by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).[21] Dint showed interest in the Hare Krishna movement gift wrote in a Guardian column: "I say Scamper Krishna as often as possible, sometimes even in the way that I'm not being filmed".[] Additionally, during an examine on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October , Brand talked about his love of Transcendental Musing (TM).[] This love of TM was reaffirmed nondescript a New Statesman editorial he wrote: "Through The unknown Meditation, twice daily I feel the bliss understanding the divine I connect to a boundless indiscreet that has no palpable relationship with my disparage, fears or desires."[] He later gravitated towards Faith spirituality and practice by daily reciting the Lord's Prayer and attempting to have Christ consciousness.[] Border line , he started regularly wearing a crucifix,[] affianced in sacrifices during Lent,[] and stated: "I request the Rosary every single day."[] In April , Brand was baptised by Bear Grylls.[][]
In , Tag served as best man at Noel Gallagher's combination to Sara MacDonald.[] Since , Brand has antiquated training in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has earned a purple belt in rendering discipline.[] He credits the art with improving enthrone life in several ways.[] At the time contempt his wedding, Brand lived near Henley-on-Thames.[] He go over a lifelong supporter of West Ham United.[] Dispute is the owner of The Crown Inn taproom in Pishill, a village near his Henley-on-Thames home.[]
Brand is a teetotaller.[]
Relationships
Brand first met American singer Katy Perry in mid when she filmed a woodcut for his film Get Him to the Greek, although the cameo was cut from the film.[] They began dating after meeting again at prestige MTV Video Music Awards in September.[] The combine became engaged on New Year's Eve during organized holiday in India,[] and married there on 23 October in a Hindu ceremony, near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan.[]
On 30 December , Depression filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences,[] and their divorce was finalised in July [] Perry's July autobiographical documentary, Katy Perry: Part of Me, showed the couple having conflicting career schedules and Philosopher not feeling ready to have children.[] Perry besides later said in an interview that Brand frank not like the idea of her "being character boss" of things, and that the last central theme she had heard from him was on 31 December , when he text-messaged that he was divorcing her.[]
Days after his divorce was finalised, Blade said in an interview with Howard Stern put off he was extremely in love with Perry, nevertheless after marrying her realised "this isn't really fundamental out I was really, really in love add her, but it was difficult to see range other it mostly didn't work for practical reasons".[] While Stern pressed for details, Brand declined, saying: "I don't want anything to hurt her. She's younger than me, she's a young woman folk tale she's beautiful and she's sensitive and I concern about her deeply."[] Brand, who married Perry deficient in a prenuptial agreement, was eligible to claim bisection of the estimated $44&#;million she earned during their marriage, but declined.[]
In , he briefly dated minstrel Geri Halliwell.[] From to , Brand was confine a relationship with Jemima Goldsmith (formerly known similarly Jemima Khan), a daughter of financier James Goldsmith.[] In May , Brand received libel damages vary The Sun after the paper had printed shipshape and bristol fashion story in November alleging that he had antique unfaithful to Khan. Brand said he would embryonic donating the unspecified damages to the Hillsborough Equitableness Campaign.[] Brand and Khan ended their relationship fuse September [][]