Major Controversies Surrounding Hugh Grant: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Hugh Grant.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

January 1995: Defamatory article published

In January 1995, News (UK) Ltd's newspaper, Today, falsely claimed that Hugh Grant verbally abused a young extra with a "foul-mouthed tongue lashing" on the set of The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.

June 1995: Arrested in Los Angeles

On 27 June 1995, Hugh Grant was arrested in Los Angeles for receiving oral sex in a public place. He pleaded no contest, was fined, and placed on probation.

1995: Solicited prostitute

In 1995, while dating Elizabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant gained international notoriety for soliciting the services of prostitute Divine Brown.

1996: Won damages from News (UK) Ltd

In 1996, Hugh Grant won substantial damages from News (UK) Ltd over a "highly defamatory" article published in January 1995.

April 2007: Arrested on assault allegations

In April 2007, Hugh Grant was arrested on allegations of assault made by paparazzo Ian Whittaker.

April 2007: Accepted damages from Associated Newspapers

On 27 April 2007, Hugh Grant accepted undisclosed damages from Associated Newspapers over claims made about his relationships with former girlfriends in tabloid articles.

June 2007: Assault charges dropped

On 1 June 2007, charges against Hugh Grant for alleged assault were dropped due to "insufficient evidence".

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.

July 2011: Appeared on Question Time

In July 2011, Hugh Grant appeared on BBC television's Question Time, becoming a spokesman against Murdoch's News Corporation in the wake of the Milly Dowler phone hacking scandal.

2011: BBC Apology for Joke

In 2011, the BBC apologized after Hugh Grant made an offhand joke about homosexuality and rugby during coverage of an England v Scotland game at Twickenham Stadium.

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.

April 2024: Settled case against News Group Newspapers

In April 2024, Hugh Grant announced that he had settled a case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun, over claims of phone tapping and burglary. Grant said he "did not want to accept" the "enormous sum of money" he had been offered to settle.