Career Timeline of Hugh Grant: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Hugh Grant built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Hugh Grant is a celebrated English actor known for his early roles as a charming and vulnerable romantic lead. He has successfully transitioned into a character actor, earning numerous accolades including a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award. His contributions to film have resulted in a global gross of approximately US$3 billion as of 2018. In 2022, Time Out recognized him as one of Britain's 50 greatest actors.
1917: The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
In 1917, Hugh Grant was a cartographer in Wales for "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain".
1982: Dabbled in Jobs
After making his debut in the film Privileged in 1982, Hugh Grant worked a variety of jobs, including assistant groundsman and writing comedy sketches.
1982: Feature Film Debut
In 1982, Hugh Grant made his feature film acting debut in "Privileged".
1984: Offered Role in The Bounty
In 1984, Hugh Grant was offered a supporting role in "The Bounty", but was prevented from playing the role as he didn't have an Equity card yet.
1985: The Jockeys of Norfolk
In 1985, Hugh Grant created a sketch-comedy group called The Jockeys of Norfolk and had minor roles in eight television productions.
1986: An Inspector Calls
In 1986, Hugh Grant played Eric Birling in a production of "An Inspector Calls" at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
1987: White Mischief
In 1987, Hugh Grant played Hugh Cholmondeley in the BAFTA Award-nominated White Mischief.
1987: Acclaim for Maurice
In 1987, Hugh Grant starred in the romantic drama "Maurice", gaining acclaim and winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
1988: The Dawning and The Lair of the White Worm
In 1988, Hugh Grant had a supporting role in "The Dawning" and a leading role in Ken Russell's horror film, "The Lair of the White Worm".
1989: Champagne Charlie
In 1989, Hugh Grant portrayed Charles Heidsieck in the television film "Champagne Charlie".
1990: The Big Man
In 1990, Hugh Grant had a role in "The Big Man", assuming a Scottish accent for the film.
1991: Our Sons
In 1991, Hugh Grant played Julie Andrews' gay son in the ABC made-for-television film "Our Sons".
1992: Bitter Moon
In 1992, Hugh Grant appeared in Roman Polanski's film "Bitter Moon".
1993: The Remains of the Day
In 1993, Hugh Grant acted in the successful period drama "The Remains of the Day".
July 1994: Production Deal with Castle Rock Entertainment
In July 1994, Hugh Grant signed a two-year production deal with Castle Rock Entertainment.
1994: Four Weddings and a Funeral Release
In 1994, "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was released with Hugh Grant as the protagonist, becoming a huge success and making him an international star.
1994: Breakthrough with Four Weddings and a Funeral
In 1994, Hugh Grant became a star with Richard Curtis's romantic comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral", winning the Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
1995: An Awfully Big Adventure
In 1995, Hugh Grant starred in "An Awfully Big Adventure", reuniting with director Mike Newell before the release of "Four Weddings and a Funeral".
1995: Release of "Nine Months" and "Sense and Sensibility"
In 1995, Hugh Grant starred in "Nine Months" alongside Julianne Moore, which, despite box office success, received negative reviews. Also in 1995, Grant starred in "Sense and Sensibility", which was much better received, and Restoration.
1995: Sense and Sensibility and Restoration
In 1995, Hugh Grant starred in successful period dramas such as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Restoration".
1996: Debut as film producer with "Extreme Measures"
In 1996, Hugh Grant made his debut as a film producer with the thriller "Extreme Measures", which received moderately positive reviews.
1999: Starring in "Notting Hill"
In 1999, Hugh Grant starred alongside Julia Roberts in "Notting Hill", a romantic comedy written by Richard Curtis. The film surpassed "Four Weddings and a Funeral" as the biggest British hit in cinema history and received generally positive reviews.
2000: Promoting "Small Time Crooks" and joining IM Internationalmedia AG
In 2000, Hugh Grant promoted Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks" and described himself as being in "my millennium of bastards". Also, in 2000, Grant joined the supervisory board of IM Internationalmedia AG.
2001: Starring in "Bridget Jones's Diary"
In 2001, Hugh Grant starred as Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones's Diary", which was a major international hit and was praised for his sly overthrow of his typical polished image.
2001: Bridget Jones's Diary
In 2001, Hugh Grant starred in the romantic comedy "Bridget Jones's Diary".
2001: Fundraiser and ambassador
Since his mother's death in 2001, Hugh Grant has worked as a fundraiser and ambassador for Marie Curie Cancer Care and is a patron of Pancreatic Cancer Action.
2002: Starring in "Two Weeks Notice"
In 2002, Hugh Grant starred alongside Sandra Bullock in "Two Weeks Notice", which was a commercial success but received poor reviews.
2002: About a Boy and Two Weeks Notice
In 2002, Hugh Grant starred in "About a Boy" and "Two Weeks Notice".
2002: Starring in "About a Boy"
In 2002, Hugh Grant starred in "About a Boy", a film adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel. He received his third Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
2002: US office of Simian Films Closed
In 2002, the US office of Simian Films closed.
2003: Starring in "Love Actually"
In 2003, Hugh Grant headlined the ensemble comedy "Love Actually" as the British Prime Minister. The film was a major international box office success.
2003: Love Actually
In 2003, Hugh Grant starred in the romantic comedy "Love Actually".
2004: Reprising role in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"
In 2004, Hugh Grant reprised his role as Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason", which was another commercial success.
2004: Bridget Jones's Diary Sequel
In 2004, Hugh Grant starred in a sequel to "Bridget Jones's Diary".
December 2005: Resigned as Director of Simian Films
In December 2005, Hugh Grant resigned as director of Simian Films.
September 2006: Charity Exhibition
In September 2006, The John Martin Gallery hosted a charity exhibition of Capt. Grant's paintings, organized by Hugh Grant.
2006: Dropped his agent at CAA
In 2006, Hugh Grant ended a 10-year relationship with CAA by dropping his agent.
2006: Starring in "American Dreamz"
In 2006, Hugh Grant starred in the black comedy "American Dreamz", where he played an acerbic reality show host. Despite the film's financial failure, Grant received generous praise for his performance.
2007: Music and Lyrics
In 2007, Hugh Grant starred in "Music and Lyrics".
2007: Starring in "Music and Lyrics"
In 2007, Hugh Grant starred opposite Drew Barrymore in "Music and Lyrics", a parody of pop culture and the music industry. He learned to sing, play the piano, and dance for the role.
2009: Failure of Did You Hear About the Morgans?
After the failure of "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" in 2009, Hugh Grant stated he began to move away from romantic comedies.
April 2011: Published article in New Statesman
In April 2011, Hugh Grant published "The Bugger, Bugged" in the New Statesman, detailing a conversation with Paul McMullan about phone hacking and political relationships with Rupert Murdoch.
2012: Cloud Atlas
In 2012, Hugh Grant acted in the science fiction film "Cloud Atlas".
2012: Played six characters in Cloud Atlas
In 2012, Hugh Grant played six "incredibly evil" characters in the epic drama film "Cloud Atlas", an experience he has talked about positively.
2012: Featured in "Cloud Atlas" and "The Pirates! Band of Misfits"
In 2012, Hugh Grant was featured in "Cloud Atlas", playing six different characters. Also in 2012, he lent his voice to the animated film "The Pirates! Band of Misfits".
2014: Starring in "The Rewrite"
In 2014, Hugh Grant reunited with Marc Lawrence for "The Rewrite", starring opposite Marisa Tomei. His performance was praised by critics.
2015: Supporting role in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
In 2015, Hugh Grant had a supporting role in Guy Ritchie's "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", with his performance being highlighted as a positive aspect of the film.
2016: Starring in "Florence Foster Jenkins"
In 2016, Hugh Grant played St. Clair Bayfield in "Florence Foster Jenkins", directed by Stephen Frears and starring Meryl Streep. His performance received rave reviews and award nominations.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins
In 2016, Hugh Grant played St. Clair Bayfield in "Florence Foster Jenkins", earning a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
2016: Grant critiques his performance in "Nine Months"
In a 2016 interview, Hugh Grant expressed strong criticism of his performance in the 1995 film "Nine Months", admitting that he "really ruined it" and overacted due to the pressure of the large-scale production and his higher salary.
2017: Paddington 2
In 2017, Hugh Grant played a haughty actor in "Paddington 2", earning another BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
February 2018: Mirror Group Newspapers apologised and paid damages
On 5 February 2018, Mirror Group Newspapers apologized to Hugh Grant and other public figures, and Grant accepted a six-figure sum to settle a High Court action. He donated the payout to the press campaign group Hacked Off.
2018: Box Office Success
As of 2018, Hugh Grant's films had grossed nearly US$3 billion worldwide, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2018: A Very English Scandal
In 2018, Hugh Grant earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actor for his role as Jeremy Thorpe in the BBC miniseries "A Very English Scandal".
2018: Return to television with "A Very English Scandal"
In 2018, Hugh Grant returned to television screens after 25 years in the BBC One miniseries "A Very English Scandal", receiving widespread praise and multiple award nominations.
2019: The Gentlemen
In 2019, Hugh Grant acted in "The Gentlemen", a Guy Ritchie action film.
October 2020: Starred in HBO miniseries The Undoing
In October 2020, Hugh Grant starred in the HBO miniseries "The Undoing", opposite Nicole Kidman and Donald Sutherland. Although the miniseries received mixed reviews, Grant's performance was highly acclaimed, earning him multiple award nominations. Film critic Caryn James said Grant has the "richest part" and added, "He sharply defines Jonathan as a slippery character, and walks the line expertly to keep us off guard.
2020: The Undoing
In 2020, Hugh Grant earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role in the HBO miniseries "The Undoing".
2020: Stated enjoying acting
In 2020, after moving on to more character roles, Hugh Grant has stated that he "enjoys acting now".
2020: Statement on aging out of romantic comedies
In a 2020 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Hugh Grant said he "got old and ugly and I'm not appropriate for romantic comedy films anymore, which has been a great blessing".
2022: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre - original planned release
In early 2022, the movie Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre was originally planned to be released, but suffered several delays.
December 2023: Supported Christmas Day Lunch
In December 2023, Hugh Grant supported the annual Big H&F Christmas Day Lunch, serving Christmas dinner to elderly residents to combat social isolation and loneliness.
2023: Appeared as an Oompa-Loompa in Wonka
In 2023, Hugh Grant appeared as an Oompa-Loompa in "Wonka", a prequel to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Despite initial backlash over his casting, Grant received praise for his performance, with Nick Levine of NME writing "A scene-stealing Grant provides the comic highlights as Lofty".
2023: Reunited with Guy Ritchie for Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre and appeared in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
In 2023, Hugh Grant reunited with Guy Ritchie for "Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre" and also appeared as Forge in "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves." While "Operation Fortune" was a box office flop, Grant's performance was still praised. Grant was also praised for his performance in "Dungeons & Dragons".
2024: Heretic
In 2024, Hugh Grant acted in the horror film "Heretic", earning him another BAFTA nomination.
2024: Guest appearance in The Regime and starred in Unfrosted
In 2024, Hugh Grant guest appeared in HBO's "The Regime" and played a fictional version of Thurl Ravenscroft in "Unfrosted". Grant was nominated for Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for "The Regime" and his performance in "Unfrosted" was also praised.
2024: Starred in the A24 horror film Heretic
In 2024, Hugh Grant starred in the A24 horror film "Heretic". Grant received positive reviews, including nominations for a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
2025: Reprised role as Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Hugh Grant is set to reprise his role as Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" in 2025.
2025: Bridget Jones's Diary Sequel
In 2025, Hugh Grant starred in a sequel to "Bridget Jones's Diary".
