Russell Brand is a multifaceted English personality known for his work as a comedian, actor, podcaster, and media figure. Initially gaining prominence as a stand-up comedian and MTV presenter, Brand hosted 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' before transitioning to film acting. He starred in British comedies like 'St Trinian's' and Hollywood productions such as 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and 'Arthur'. Beyond acting, Brand has released stand-up specials, hosted radio shows like 'The Russell Brand Show', and currently hosts podcasts 'Stay Free with Russell Brand' and 'Under the Skin with Russell Brand'. He has received multiple British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination, while also facing media scrutiny related to his personal life, political views, and controversies at events and within media organizations.
In June 1975, Russell Edward Brand was born. He is an English comedian, actor, podcaster, and media personality.
In 1991, Brand was accepted to the Italia Conti Academy, with his first year of tuition funded by Essex County Council.
In 1994, Brand appeared in episodes of The Bill and the children's adventure series Mud.
In 2000, Brand performed stand-up at the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year final and made his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.
In 2000, Brand's first presenting role was as a video journalist on MTV UK, hosting shows like Dancefloor Chart and Select.
In September 2001, Brand was dismissed from MTV after inappropriate behavior following the 9/11 attacks.
Russell Brand said on Twitter in 2014 that he has abstained from drug use since 13 December 2002.
In 2002, Brand appeared on the TV shows Cruise of the Gods and White Teeth.
In 2002, Brand starred in RE:Brand, a documentary and comedy television program that aimed to take a look at cultural taboos.
In 2002, Russell Brand was dismissed from his job at Xfm after reading pornographic material live on-air.
Following allegations of sexual assault in September 2023, a further report of an alleged sexual assault was made against him to the Metropolitan Police, dating from 2003.
On September 17, 2023, the Metropolitan Police received an allegation of sexual assault against Russell Brand said to have taken place in Soho, London, in 2003. The alleged incident predates the period of alleged incidents covered in The Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigations.
In 2004, Brand gained a role as the host of the television show Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off.
In 2004, Brand took his first one-man show, Better Now, to the Edinburgh Festival, giving an account of his heroin addiction.
In 2004, Russell Brand had embraced recovery from drug use, as noted by a reviewer following a show in Edinburgh. He was ejected from The Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.
The ratings for the 2009 MTV VMA show that Russell Brand hosted were the best since the 2004 VMAs.
In 2005, Russell Brand co-hosted three one-off shows on BBC Radio 6 Music with Karl Pilkington.
In 2005, he played Tommy in the BBC sitcom Blessed, which was written and directed by Ben Elton.
Beginning in April 2006, Russell Brand co-hosted The Russell Brand Show on BBC Radio 6 Music.
In early 2006, Brand returned to MTV as presenter of the chat show, 1 Leicester Square, and a second series began in September 2006.
In November 2006, The Russell Brand Show transferred to BBC Radio 2 and aired on Saturdays from 9–11 pm.
Brand appeared in a small role in the 2006 movie Penelope; although his first major film role was as Flash Harry in the 2007 film St Trinian's.
From 2006 to 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017, Russell Brand hosted his own radio show 'The Russell Brand Show'.
From 2006, Russell Brand wrote a column for The Guardian sports section.
In 2006, Brand launched his first nationwide tour, 'Shame', drawing on embarrassing incidents in his life.
In 2006, Vanessa Feltz released a clip of her appearance on Russell Brand's TV show, where he asked if he could "have it off" with her or her daughters, which left her "deeply offended".
In November 2024, detectives investigating allegations of offences between 2006 and 2013 sent the Crown Prosecution Service a file of evidence so the prosecutors could consider bringing charges against him.
In September 2023, five women publicly accused Brand of sexual assault and sexual and emotional abuse. The allegations concern incidents between 2006 and 2013 and were featured in the episode Russell Brand: In Plain Sight.
In March 2007, Brand co-hosted an evening of the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs with Noel Fielding.
On 7 July 2007, Brand presented at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London.
On 22 October 2007, Brand returned to Channel 4 to host Russell Brand's Ponderland, in which he discussed topics like childhood and science through stand-up comedy.
On November 15, 2007, Russell Brand's first autobiography, My Booky Wook, was released and received favourable reviews.
In December 2007, Brand performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as an act in the Royal Variety Performance.
On 12 December 2007, BBC Four aired Russell Brand On the Road, a documentary presented by Brand and Matt Morgan about the writer Jack Kerouac.
In 2007, Brand appeared in Cold Blood for ITV, playing an ex-con called Ally.
In 2007, Brand had his first major film role in the British comedy St Trinian's.
In 2007, Lorraine Kelly stated that she felt uncomfortable during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show after Russell Brand touched her thigh and called her a "slut".
In 2007, Russell Brand showed interest in the Hare Krishna movement and wrote that he said Hare Krishna as often as possible.
In 2007, Russell Brand wrote columns for The Guardian that would later be included in Articles of Faith.
In 2007, a collection of Russell Brand's columns from The Guardian was released in his book Irons in the Fire.
In 2007, complaints were made about Russell Brand's behavior to Lesley Douglas at BBC Radio 2, alleging incidents such as urinating in a bottle in the studio and throwing objects in fits of rage. Accusations also surfaced regarding Brand's behavior towards female audience members and a crew member on shows like EFourum and Big Brother's Big Mouth.
Russell Brand and Laura Gallacher first dated in 2007, when Gallacher was 19 and Brand was 30.
On 25 January 2008, Brand hosted a one-off stand-up comedy show called Comedy Live Presents: Russell Brand and Friends, which was shown on Channel 4.
On 8 January 2008, Brand was the fifth celebrity to "hijack" the Big Brother house, in the E4 show Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.
In June 2008, Russell Brand signed a £1.8 million two-book deal with HarperCollins.
A second series of Russell Brand's Ponderland began on 30 October 2008.
As of October 2008, Russell Brand's production company, Vanity Projects, was active.
On October 16, 2008, Russell Brand's book Articles of Faith was published.
On October 18, 2008, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross broadcast lewd phone messages to Andrew Sachs on Brand's radio show.
In November 2008, Russell Brand resigned from the BBC following the controversy over lewd phone messages broadcast on his radio show.
In December 2008, Russell Brand starred alongside Adam Sandler in the Disney film Bedtime Stories, which was released on December 25, 2008.
In 2008, Brand hosted the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which led to controversy due to his comments on various topics and figures.
In 2008, Russell Brand starred in the Hollywood comedy 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'.
In 2008, during a live show, Brand made a hoax call to police, which was condemned and for which he later apologised.
On September 21, 2023, a woman accused Russell Brand of exposing himself to her at the BBC's Los Angeles office in 2008, and then laughing about it minutes later on his BBC Radio 2 show.
In January 2009, Russell Brand signed a celebrity letter to The Independent condemning Israel's assault on Gaza.
In February 2009, Russell Brand and other entertainers wrote to The Times in defence of leaders of the Baháʼí Faith.
In March 2009, Brand recorded a special for Comedy Central titled Russell Brand in New York, which aired.
From January to April 2009, Brand began touring the UK, America and Australia on a tour called Russell Brand: Scandalous.
In April 2009, Russell Brand attended the 2009 G-20 London summit protests and spoke to the press.
On April 19, 2009, Russell Brand and Noel Gallagher hosted a one-off football talk show on Talksport.
On 13 September 2009, Brand returned to host the MTV VMAs, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The ratings for the 2009 show were the best since the 2004 VMAs.
In 2009, Brand released his stand-up special 'Scandalous'.
In 2009, Brand stopped writing a column for The Guardian sports section.
In 2009, Russell Brand appeared in the television documentary, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).
In 2009, Russell Brand attended the 2009 G20 London summit protests.
In 2009, Russell Brand's production company released Russell Brand Doing Life.
Russell Brand first met Katy Perry in mid-2009. They began dating after meeting again at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September. The two became engaged on New Year's Eve 2009.
Russell Brand organised three fundraisers for Focus 12 in London, Dublin and Belfast in 2009.
On 16 September 2010, Russell Brand was arrested on suspected battery charges after he allegedly attacked a paparazzo who blocked his and then-fiancée Katy Perry's way at Los Angeles International Airport.
On September 30, 2010, Russell Brand's second autobiography, Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal, was released.
During an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2010, Russell Brand talked about his love of Transcendental Meditation (TM).
On 23 October 2010, Russell Brand married Katy Perry in a Hindu ceremony in India, near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan.
On October 9, 2010, Russell Brand returned to Talksport with a Saturday night show.
In 2010, Brand starred in the Hollywood comedy 'Get Him to the Greek'.
In 2010, Russell Brand reprised his role as Aldous Snow in the buddy comedy Get Him to the Greek.
In 2010, Russell Brand starred as Trinculo in Julie Taymor's version of The Tempest and voiced Dr. Nefario in Despicable Me.
In November 2023, a woman accused Russell Brand of exposing himself and later trapping and assaulting her in a bathroom during the film production in 2010 of comedy Arthur (2011).
On 12 February 2011, Brand guest hosted an episode of the American sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.
In April 2011, Russell Brand starred in the film Hop and in a remake of Arthur.
On 30 December 2011, Russell Brand filed for divorce from Katy Perry, citing irreconcilable differences.
Following the 2011 London riots, Russell Brand wrote a column in which he criticised the government's response to the riots.
In 2011, Brand starred in the Hollywood comedy 'Arthur'.
In 2011, Fox Studios picked up a film adaptation of the children's television program Rentaghost with Ben Stiller attached.
In 2011, Russell Brand established his own production company, 'Branded Films', with Nik Linnen.
In 2011, Russell Brand felt compelled to make the film about addiction after the death of his close friend Amy Winehouse.
In 2011, Russell Brand served as best man at Noel Gallagher's wedding to Sara MacDonald.
In November 2023, a woman accused Russell Brand of exposing himself and later trapping and assaulting her in a bathroom during the film production in 2010 of comedy Arthur (2011).
On 15 March 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for Russell Brand in New Orleans because of allegations that he had thrown a photographer's mobile phone through a window.
In April 2012, Russell Brand testified in front of a parliamentary committee about drug addiction.
In June 2012, Russell Brand starred as Lonny in the film adaptation of the musical Rock of Ages.
In July 2012, Russell Brand's divorce from Katy Perry was finalized.
In December 2012, a BBC Three documentary, Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery, aired.
In 2012, Brand hosted the MTV Movie Awards and Brand X with Russell Brand, a late-night talk show on FX.
In 2012, Brand starred in the Hollywood comedy 'Rock of Ages'.
In 2012, Russell Brand briefly dated singer Geri Halliwell.
In 2012, Russell Brand was selected by the Dalai Lama to host the Buddhist leader's youth event in Manchester.
Russell Brand appeared at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball in 2012 at Radio City Music Hall.
On March 18, 2013, Russell Brand returned to radio on Xfm with Matt Morgan for a one-off special in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
In June 2013, Russell Brand appeared in a video in support of Chelsea Manning.
On September 3, 2013, Russell Brand was ejected from the GQ Awards show after making comments about sponsor Hugo Boss's former business with the Gestapo.
In October 2013, Russell Brand guest-edited a special issue of the New Statesman focusing on 'Revolution,' where he discussed environmental concerns and advocated for a shift in consciousness alongside political and economic reforms.
In October 2013, Russell Brand was interviewed by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight where he criticized the British political system and encouraged viewers not to vote, sparking debate about revolution and political engagement.
In May 2014, Russell Brand received libel damages from The Sun after the paper had printed a story in November 2013 alleging that he had been unfaithful to Khan.
Brand X with Russell Brand, a late-night talk show on FX that received lukewarm reviews and middling ratings, was cancelled in 2013 after running for two seasons.
In 2013, Brand guest-edited an edition of British political weekly New Statesman, marking his increasing involvement in public activism.
In 2013, Brand presented and toured his comedy show Messiah Complex, tackling various social and political topics.
In 2013, Brand released his stand-up special 'Messiah Complex'.
In 2013, Russell Brand appeared as William Carr in the film Paradise.
In 2013, Russell Brand reaffirmed his love of Transcendental Meditation, saying that he feels the bliss of the divine through it.
In 2013, Russell Brand reprised his role as Dr. Nefario in the Despicable Me sequel.
In November 2024, detectives investigating allegations of offences between 2006 and 2013 sent the Crown Prosecution Service a file of evidence so the prosecutors could consider bringing charges against him.
In September 2023, five women publicly accused Brand of sexual assault and sexual and emotional abuse. The allegations concern incidents between 2006 and 2013 and were featured in the episode Russell Brand: In Plain Sight.
In January 2014, Russell Brand described his first experience with heroin as "blissful".
In January 2014, Russell Brand participated in an interview at the Cambridge Union Society with Leo Kirby, discussing various topics which was later published on YouTube.
In February 2014, Russell Brand launched his YouTube series, 'The Trews: True News with Russell Brand,' where he provided his analysis of current news, often featuring guests like economists and journalists.
In May 2014, Russell Brand received libel damages from The Sun after the paper had printed a story alleging that he had been unfaithful to Khan.
In June 2014, Russell Brand participated in the People's Assembly Against Austerity, addressing a crowd of approximately 50,000 people and advocating for reclaiming power from those in the House of Commons.
In September 2014, Russell Brand and Jemima Khan ended their relationship.
In October 2014, John Lydon criticized Russell Brand's advocacy of non-voting as the "most idiotic thing I've ever heard,"
In October 2014, Russell Brand's book Revolution was published by Random House.
In the October 2014 issue of Vanity Fair, Russell Brand said of the allegations of misogyny made against him:
In November 2014, Russell Brand made his children's book debut with Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
In November 2014, a YouGov poll indicated that Russell Brand was considered the celebrity with the most negative influence on political debate, with 60% of participants disliking him.
On December 2, 2014, Russell Brand joined East London residents in a protest against rent increases at the New Era housing estate, leading to a confrontation with a Channel 4 News reporter, which went viral.
In 2014, Brand launched his political-comedy web series 'The Trews' on YouTube and released a book entitled 'Revolution'.
In January 2015, Russell Brand insulted politician Ed Balls on Channel 4's Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, leading to Balls calling him a "pound shop Ben Elton."
On February 25, 2015, Russell Brand launched a twice-weekly podcast called The Russell Brand Podcast through audioBoom.
In March 2015, Russell Brand announced he would open the Trew Era Cafe using money from his Revolution book, employing recovering drug addicts.
In March 2015, a biographical documentary called 'Brand: A Second Coming' was released.
In March 2015, the documentary film Brand: A Second Coming, which reflects on Russell Brand's journey into political activism, premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.
On April 24, 2015, the documentary The Emperor's New Clothes, produced by Russell Brand, premiered internationally at the Tribeca Film Festival, examining the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and global economic inequality.
On April 29, 2015, Russell Brand released an interview with Labour leader Ed Miliband on The Trews, aiming to engage non-voters, which was criticized by David Cameron as a "joke."
On August 20, 2015, Russell Brand released the "Final Episode Of The Trews – Goodbye, Good Luck", announcing it as the series' conclusion.
In 2015, Russell Brand endorsed Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour Party leadership election.
In 2015, leading up to the UK general election, Russell Brand reversed his anti-voting stance and declared the importance of voting, endorsing the Labour Party.
Since 2015, Russell Brand has been in a relationship with Scottish blogger and former restaurateur Laura Gallacher.
On October 12, 2016, the YouTube series 'The Trews' made a return after a hiatus.
Russell Brand and Laura Gallacher's first daughter was born in November 2016.
In 2016, Russell Brand returned to acting by starring as Creek in Trolls and as God in Army of One.
Since 2016, Russell Brand has been training in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has earned a purple belt in the discipline.
In January 2017, Brand announced his new tour Re:Birth, which debuted in April 2017.
On March 30, 2017, Russell Brand announced he would return to radio on The Chris Moyles Show.
In January 2017, Brand announced his new tour Re:Birth, which debuted in April 2017.
Russell Brand married Laura Gallacher in Henley-on-Thames on 26 August 2017.
In September 2017, Macmillan published Russell Brand's book Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions.
Ahead of the 2017 United Kingdom general election, Russell Brand wrote in The Huffington Post expressing support for Jeremy Corbyn, highlighting qualities he admired in a leader.
At the time of his 2017 wedding, Russell Brand lived near Henley-on-Thames.
From 2006 to 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017, Russell Brand hosted his own radio show 'The Russell Brand Show'.
In 2017, Russell Brand launched a new podcast called Under the Skin with Russell Brand.
In 2017, Russell Brand stated that he believed in a Higher Power as described by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
From January 2018, Russell Brand's Radio X show was put on semi-permanent hiatus.
On 30 April 2018, Brand was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his Re:Birth tour after his mother was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident.
In July 2018, Russell Brand and Laura Gallacher had a second daughter.
Brand's Re:Birth tour was meant to go through November 2018, but he was forced to cancel the remaining dates after his mother was critically injured.
In December 2018, Russell Brand: Re:Birth, filmed in London in April 2018, was released as a standup comedy film on Netflix.
In 2018, Russell Brand portrayed Lance Klians in a recurring role on the HBO series Ballers.
The Focus 12 drug treatment programme and rehabilitation charity, of which Russell Brand was a patron, closed in 2018.
In January 2019, Russell Brand's book Mentors: How To Help and Be Helped was published.
In 2019, Russell Brand portrayed Lance Klians in a recurring role on the HBO series Ballers.
In November 2020, Russell Brand's YouTube channel saw significant growth, with weekly views starting under 500,000.
In 2020, Matt Morgan and Mr Gee discussed on "The Matt Morgan Podcast" that Russell Brand "not wanting to continue" was the reason for the Radio X show's hiatus.
In 2020, Russell Brand appeared as Tristan Trent in the fantasy film Four Kids and It.
In 2020, Russell Brand categorically denied an allegation. His agent Tavistock Wood stated that they were horribly misled by him and that he denied the allegation.
In September 2021, Russell Brand advised people attending his tour on how to bypass COVID-19 safety measures.
In March 2022, Russell Brand's YouTube channel experienced a surge in popularity, with weekly views rising to approximately 14.5 million.
In September 2022, YouTube removed one of Russell Brand's videos, citing its policy on medical misinformation, prompting him to move his channel to Rumble and launch Stay Free with Russell Brand.
In 2022, Russell Brand played Linus Windlesham in Kenneth Branagh's remake of Death on the Nile.
In 2022, Russell Brand reprised his role as Dr. Nefario in the film Minions: The Rise of Gru.
In March 2023, Finn McRedmond of The New Statesman described Russell Brand as having melded his "trad-socialist values" with "all the suspicions and anxieties of the new American right".
In September 2023, Russell Brand performed at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, acknowledging he couldn't discuss certain things and appreciated the audience's support. On September 18, 2023, all remaining tour dates were postponed, and Brand was dropped by his agent due to accusations.
In September 2023, five women publicly accused Brand of sexual assault and sexual and emotional abuse following a joint investigation.
On September 21, 2023, a woman accused Russell Brand of exposing himself to her at the BBC's Los Angeles office in 2008, and then laughing about it minutes later on his BBC Radio 2 show.
In November 2023, a woman accused Russell Brand of exposing himself and later trapping and assaulting her in a bathroom during the film production in 2010 of comedy Arthur (2011). On November 3, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Brand under New York's Adult Survivors Act. Warner Bros. Pictures and others involved in Arthur's production were also named as defendants.
On November 19, 2023, Russell Brand was questioned by police in connection with alleged sexual assaults.
In 2023, Brand released his stand-up special 'Brandemic'.
In January 2024, Russell Brand confirmed that their son was born in 2023 with Laura Gallacher.
In January 2024, Russell Brand confirmed that their son was born in 2023 with Laura Gallacher.
In April 2024, Russell Brand was baptised by Bear Grylls, marking his gravitation towards Christian spirituality.
On May 15, 2024, Russell Brand performed a comedy set at a campaign event for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., during which he voiced conspiracy theories, earning approximately $70,000 for his performance.
In November 2024, detectives investigating allegations of offences between 2006 and 2013 sent the Crown Prosecution Service a file of evidence so the prosecutors could consider bringing charges against him.
In 2024, Russell Brand promoted a "magic amulet" that he claimed protected against "corruption" by "evil energies" and "lethal signals", citing Wi-Fi.
On 6 February 2025, Russell Brand was sued for sexual abuse at the High Court of Justice in London.