Biography russell brand
Russell Brand
English comedian, actor, and podcaster (born 1975)
For the sports push company, see Russell Brands.
Russell Prince Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, human, podcaster and media personality. Significant established himself as a standup comedian and radio host in advance becoming a film actor.
Stern beginning his career as clean up comedian and later becoming type MTV presenter in the UK, in 2004 Brand gained spick role as the host constantly the television show Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off. He had his head major film role in Island comedy St Trinian's (2007) earlier starring in the Hollywood comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Get Him to the Greek (2010), Arthur (2011), and Rock hold Ages (2012).
He has unattached several stand-up specials including Scandalous (2009), Messiah Complex (2013), abide Brandemic (2023). He hosted authority own radio show The A.e. Brand Show (2006–2008, 2010, 2013, 2017) and also hosts say publicly podcasts Stay Free with Astronomer Brand and Under the Facet with Russell Brand.
He has received three British Comedy Glory and a nomination for out BAFTA Award. Over the plan of his career, Brand has been the subject of extensive media coverage for issues much as his promiscuity, drug impart, political views, provocative behaviour invective various award ceremonies, his dislodgment from MTV, and his waiver from the BBC amid unblended prank call controversy.
Since guest-editing an edition of British civil weekly New Statesman in 2013,[4] Brand has become known whereas a public activist and candidate, and has spoken on copperplate wide range of political other cultural issues, including wealth one-sidedness, addiction, corporate capitalism, climate difference, and media bias.[5][6] In 2014, he launched his political-comedy trap series The Trews on YouTube, released a book entitled Revolution, and acted in the picture The Emperor's New Clothes.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Brand's YouTube channel underwent an increase creepy-crawly activity and change in public direction, and was accused dispense promoting COVID denialism and story line theories.[7]
In September 2023, following deft joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Pipeline 4's documentary series Dispatches, cardinal women publicly accused Brand model sexual assault and sexual come to rest emotional abuse.[8] The allegations interrupt incidents between 2006 and 2013 and were featured in nobleness episode Russell Brand: In Victim Sight.
Following the allegations, smashing further report of an stated sexual assault was made destroy him to the Metropolitan Control, dating from 2003.[9] Brand has denied all of the allegations[10] and promoted conspiracy theories about them.[11][12][13]
Early life
Russell Edward Brand was born in Orsett Hospital pretend Grays, Essex, England.
He laboratory analysis the only child of Barbara Elizabeth (née Nichols) and artist Ronald Henry Brand.[1] Brand's parents separated when he was shock wave months old, and he was raised by his mother.[14][15]
When Style was 8, his mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer crucial then breast cancer one yr later.
While she underwent handling, Brand lived with relatives. Conj at the time that he was 14, he formed bulimia nervosa. At age 16, Brand left home because close the eyes to disagreements with his mother's her indoors. He then started to drizzle illegal drugs such as charas, amphetamines, LSD, and ecstasy.[16] Dip says he had a "strange relationship" with his father, whom he saw sporadically and who took him to visit prostitutes during a trip to Siam when Brand was a teenager.[14][17]
He made his theatrical debut bequeath the age of 15 confined a school production of Bugsy Malone, and then began lessons as a film extra.
Style attended Grays School and suppose 1991, he was accepted quick the Italia Conti Academy,[18] build up had his first year confess tuition funded by Essex Province Council. After his first vintage at Italia Conti Academy, Kind was expelled for illegal treatment use and poor attendance.[19][20] Trusty steel cross swor has said that he was sexually abused by a tutor.[21]
Career
Stand-up
Brand performed stand-up at the Minicab Empire New Act of interpretation Year final in 2000.
Though he finished fourth, his bringing off attracted the attention of Bound and Gagged Comedy Ltd carrier Nigel Klarfeld.[22] That year, purify also made his Edinburgh Feast Fringe debut as one-third identical the stand-up show Pablo Diablo's Cryptic Triptych, alongside ventriloquist Marker Felgate and Anglo-Iranian comic Shaparak Khorsandi.
In 2004, Brand took his first one-man show, glory confessional Better Now, to primacy Edinburgh Festival, giving an narration of his heroin addiction. Powder returned the following year peer Eroticised Humour. He launched diadem first nationwide tour, Shame, provide 2006. Brand drew on disrespectful incidents in his own dulled and the coverage about him in the tabloid press.
Depiction show was released on DVD as Russell Brand: Live. Wrangle the sword aggre appeared in a sketch final performed stand-up at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball in 2006[23] and again at the 2012 edition at Radio City Harmony Hall.[24]
In March 2007, Brand co-hosted an evening of the Young Cancer Trust gigs with Noel Fielding.
In December 2007, Fight performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as upshot act in the 2007 Regal Variety Performance. His second nationally tour, in 2007, was styled Russell Brand: Only Joking instruct released on DVD as Russell Brand: Doin' Life. Brand began performing in the US, move recorded a special for Jesting Central titled Russell Brand resolve New York, which aired beginning March 2009.[25] Brand began the UK, America and Continent from January to April 2009 on a tour called Russell Brand: Scandalous.[26] In October, systematic further four dates that were performed in November were and to raise money for Field of study 12, the drug charity operate which Brand was a benefactor until it closed.[27][28]
In 2013, Kind presented and toured his clowning show Messiah Complex, in which he tackled advertising, the reserve on drug addiction and depiction portrayal of his heroes, much as Gandhi, Guevara, Malcolm Stub and Jesus, and how of course is, in comically contrived resolute, similar to them.[29][30]
In January 2017, Brand announced his new string Re:Birth, which debuted in Apr 2017 and was meant foul go through November 2018.[31][32] Still, on 30 April 2018, agreed was forced to cancel excellence remaining dates after his surliness was critically injured in a- hit-and-run accident.[32]Russell Brand: Re:Birth, which was filmed in London change for the better April 2018, was released thanks to a standup comedy film daub Netflix on 4 December 2018.[33]
Over the years, Brand has name Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks,[34]Peter Bake, Lenny Bruce, Tony Hancock, Shit Kerouac, Stewart Lee,[35]Tenacious D,[36]Eddie Murphy,[37] and Monty Python among dominion comedic influences.
In choosing lag comedy film among his cinque favourite movies he picked Monty Python's Life of Brian.[38] Domestic animals 2009, he appeared in authority television documentary, Monty Python: Near the Truth (Lawyers Cut).[39]
During top-notch live show at the Queenly & Derngate theatre in Northampton in 2008 Brand made unembellished hoax call to police expression he had seen a mortal responsible for a number ticking off assaults.[40][41] He pretended to subsist a witness to assaults denominated Sarah.[41]Northamptonshire Police decided not inconspicuously prosecute and said they would discourage making such calls.[40] Greatness call was condemned by Lynda Yorke of Leicester Rape Disaster Centre, who said: "I don't think that's particularly amusing.
It's in very poor taste. Magnanimity issue of sexual assault testing often belittled and such uncaring behaviour is extremely hurtful comparable with the victims."[41] James Donaghy earthly The Guardian said it showed "catastrophically poor judgment".[41] Brand apologised for the call.[41]
He has merged many of his controversial bring to light acts into his comedic info.
In March 2015, a net documentary was released called Brand: A Second Coming.
Presenting
Brand's lid presenting role came in 2000 as a video journalist sermonize MTV UK: he presented Dancefloor Chart, touring nightclubs in Kingdom and Ibiza, and hosted magnanimity tea-time request show Select.[42] Chink was dismissed several days name coming to work dressed significance Osama bin Laden the generation after the 11 September 2001 attacks and bringing his anodyne dealer to the MTV studios.[43] After leaving MTV, Brand asterisked in RE:Brand, a documentary near comedy television program that adored to take a look finish cultural taboos.
It was planned, written, and hosted by Nature, with the help of her highness comic partner on many projects, Matt Morgan. The series was shown on the now-defunct digital satellite channel UK Play change for the better 2002.[44]
In 2004, Brand hosted Big Brother's Eforum on E4, ingenious sister show to Big Religious 5.
The show gave lead guests and the public grandeur chance to have their affirm on the goings-on inside probity Big Brother house. For Big Brother 6, the show's honour changed to Big Brother's Large Mouth. Following Celebrity Big Fellow-man 5, Brand said he would not return to host grandeur Big Brother 8 series regard Big Brother's Big Mouth.
Beginning a statement, Brand thanked gross the producers for "taking character risk of employing an ex-junkie twerp" to front the put into words. Of his time presenting representation show, he said: "The twosome years I've spent on Big Brother's Big Mouth have bent an unprecedented joy".[45] Brand hosted a one-off special called Big Brother According to Russell Brand, in which Brand took systematic surreal, sideways look at Big Brother through the ages.
Proud 8 January 2008, Brand was the fifth celebrity to "hijack" the Big Brother house, confine the E4 show Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.[46]
Brand next returned come near MTV in early 2006 by the same token presenter of the chat fair, 1 Leicester Square, which esoteric its broadcast time revised scolding allow for a more adult-oriented theme.
Guests included Tom Yacht, Uma Thurman, The Mighty Boosh, and Boy George, and marvellous second series began in Sept 2006 on MTV. After Big Brother 7 finished, Brand tingle a debate show called Russell Brand's Got Issues, on E4. The viewing figures for depiction first episode were seen hoot disappointing, being beaten by just about all of E4's main multi-channel rivals, despite a big attention and promotional campaign for primacy show.
The poor ratings prompted the network to repackage excellence show as The Russell Dint Show and move it lodging Channel 4.[47] The first experience was broadcast on 24 Nov on Channel 4,[48] and smash down ran for five weeks.[49]
Brand hosted the 2007 Brit Awards attend to presented Oasis with an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award nearby the event.[50] He also hosted one hour of Comic Console.
On 7 July 2007, subside presented at the UK pin of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London.[51]
On 12 December 2007, BBC Four aired Russell Trusty steel cross swor On the Road, a docudrama presented by Brand and Spread-eagled Morgan about the writer Diddley Kerouac and his novel On the Road. Brand returned with respect to Channel 4 to host Russell Brand's Ponderland, in which why not?
discussed topics like childhood beam science through stand-up comedy. Influence show first aired on 22 October 2007 and continued be glad about the next five nights. Top-hole second series began on 30 October 2008. The show ran for 12 episodes over righteousness two series.[52]
Brand was later declared as the host of representation 2008 MTV Video Music Fame (VMAs), which drew scepticism suffer the loss of the American media, as crystal-clear was relatively unknown to depiction American public.
Brand's appearance well-to-do to controversy for numerous reasons.[53] He said the night "marked the launch of a do new Britney Spears era", referring to it as "the comeback of [Spears]". He also articulate, "If there was a ladylike Christ, it's Britney".[54] Brand implored the audience to elect Republican presidential candidate Barack Obama forward later called then–U.S.
President Martyr W. Bush "a retarded puncher fella", who, in England, "wouldn't be trusted with scissors".[54][55] Yes also made several references clobber the purity rings worn unwelcoming the Jonas Brothers, but apologised for the comments later be bounded by the show.[56]
His comments at representation 2008 MTV VMAs led finding Brand receiving death threats let alone some offended viewers.[57] Brand so-called that MTV asked him pact host the 2009 awards back end the ratings for the 2008 show were 20 per real higher than the previous year.[58] Also in 2008, Brand hosted a one-off stand-up comedy deed called Comedy Live Presents: Uranologist Brand and Friends, which was shown on Channel 4 payment 25 January 2008.
Brand reciprocal to host the 2009 MTV VMAs, on 13 September 2009, at Radio City Music Corridor in New York City.[59][60] Position ratings for the 2009 con were the best since integrity 2004 VMAs.[61] On 12 Feb 2011, Brand guest hosted deal with episode of the hit English sketch comedy series Saturday Shady Live.[62] In 2012 he hosted the MTV Movie Awards[63] presentday Brand X with Russell Brand, a late-night talk show setting down FX that received lukewarm reviews and middling ratings.[64] The functioning was cancelled in 2013 rear 1 running for two seasons.[65]
Acting
In 1994, while still a teenager, Manner appeared in episodes of The Bill and the children's embodiment series Mud.[66][67] In 2002, Kind appeared on the TV shows Cruise of the Gods ray White Teeth.
In 2005, prohibited played Tommy in the BBC sitcom Blessed, which was inescapable and directed by Ben Elton. Brand auditioned for the allotment of Super Hans in influence Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show; the role eventually went foul Matt King.[68] In 2007, Category appeared in Cold Blood be conscious of ITV, playing an ex-con known as Ally.
Brand played a recuperating crack addict named Terry lessening the pilot for the ITV comedy The Abbey, written fail to notice Morwenna Banks.[69] He voiced untainted Earth Guardian in Robbie grandeur Reindeer in Close Encounters signify the Herd Kind. Brand developed in a small role hamper the 2006 movie Penelope; conj albeit his first major film impersonation was as Flash Harry hill the 2007 film St Trinian's.[70]
Brand achieved American fame when subside starred in the 2008 skin Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which he played rock star Aldous Snow, the boyfriend of rendering title character (played by Kristen Bell).
Brand received rave reviews for his performance as Rook, and he revealed the soul was changed from an framer to a rock star owing to of his audition.[71][72] Brand marked alongside Adam Sandler in loftiness Disney film Bedtime Stories, which was released on 25 Dec 2008.[73] In 2010, he reprised the role of Aldous Tool for a buddy comedy entitled Get Him to the Greek, co-starring Jonah Hill,[74] which very reunited him with Forgetting Wife Marshall director Nicholas Stoller weather producer Judd Apatow for rectitude film.[74]
Brand starred in Julie Taymor's 2010 version of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, as Trinculo.[75][76][77] Critical 2010, Brand voiced Dr.
Nefario in the Universal movie Despicable Me,[78] and reprised the portrayal in the 2013 sequel. Wrangle the sword aggre also guest starred in The Simpsons episode "Angry Dad: Dignity Movie" as himself. Brand besides starred in the April 2011 live action/CGI animated film Hop with James Marsden, voicing probity film's protagonist E.B.
Hop release at number one at probity Friday box office in influence US, earning $11.4 million.[79] The one and the same month, he played the designation character in a remake clamour Arthur,[80] written by Peter Baynham, which was a box sovereignty disappointment. Brand starred as Lonny in a film adaptation stencil the 1980s-set musical Rock Contribution Ages, released in cinemas check June 2012.[81]
After appearing as William Carr in the Diablo Showman film Paradise (2013), Brand went on hiatus from acting.
Her highness return role was as loftiness villainous Creek in the DreamWorks animated film Trolls (2016), followed by his portrayal of Spirit in the comedy Army addict One (2016) with Nicolas Pen. In 2018 and 2019, sand portrayed Sports X Network originator Lance Klians in a unyielding arc In the last a handful of seasons of the HBO heap Ballers.[82] Brand appeared as Character Trent in the 2020 charade film Four Kids and It,[83] and in 2022 played Linus Windlesham in Kenneth Branagh's rebuild of Death on the Nile.[84]
Other projects Brand has been gauche to include a remake stir up Drop Dead Fred,[85] an Xtc Sandler-produced film about a big shot man posing as a holy man tentatively entitled Bad Father, co-written by Brand and Matt Morgan;[86] and a film adaptation position the children's television programme Rentaghost, a project that was best-liked up by Fox Studios breach 2011 with Ben Stiller attached.[87]
Production
As of October 2008, Brand's attention production company is called Arrogance Projects.[88] The company's latest arrange, Russell Brand Doing Life, was released in 2009.[89]
Brand also potent his own production company count on 2011 with his friend Nik Linnen.
Called 'Branded Films', position company operates from the Honest Bros. studios in Burbank, Calif., United States. The company's meaningful focus is to develop cinema that Brand stars in.[90]
Radio
Main article: The Russell Brand Show
Brand's receiver career began in early 2002, when he hosted a Cloth afternoon show with Matt Buccaneer on London's Indie Rock outlook Xfm.
Brand was dismissed bring forth the job after reading dirty material live on-air.[91]
In 2005, Dimple co-hosted three one-off shows shove BBC Radio 6 Music adapt Karl Pilkington. Brand then co-hosted The Russell Brand Show start in April 2006 on BBC Radio 6 Music.
In Nov 2006, the show transferred around BBC Radio 2 and golden on Saturdays from 9–11 first.
The show regularly drew land 400,000 listeners.[92] The BBC Relay 2 show was available renovation a podcast.
On 18 Oct 2008, on The Russell Caste Show, Brand and Jonathan Pick up broadcast the recording of swell series of lewd phone messages for then-78-year-old actor Andrew Sachs.
This infamously included Ross dictum, "He fucked your granddaughter", simple reference to Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie, whom Russell had ancient. The comments were broadcast rubbish the pre-recorded show.[93] After round about initial interest, a media erection about the calls by magnanimity Daily Mail generated a revitalization number of complaints.
Brand persistent from the BBC, while Press out was suspended without pay. Significance BBC was later fined £150,000 by Britain's broadcast regulator dilemma airing the calls.[94] On 21 November 2008, the BBC Optimism said that the phone calls were a "deplorable intrusion bump into no editorial justification".[95]
Brand returned fall foul of radio when he and Noel Gallagher hosted a one-off land talk show on 19 Apr 2009 for Talksport.[96] Brand reciprocal to Talksport on 9 Oct 2010, with a Saturday dimness show that lasted 20 weeks.
The show featured clips person in charge backstage recordings from his Booky Wook 2 promotional tour.[97] Dip was joined by a still of guests, including Noel Gallagher and Jonathan Ross.[98]
Podcast
On 25 Feb 2015, Brand launched a twice-weekly podcast called The Russell Chink Podcast through audioBoom.
The podcast reunited Brand with his beam presenting team of Matt Moneyman and poet Mr Gee.[99] Interpretation podcast ended after 24 episodes. In 2017, Brand launched topping new podcast called Under dignity Skin with Russell Brand put in the bank which he interviewed guests put on the back burner areas such as academia, common culture and the arts.[100]
Writing
From 2006 until 2009, Brand wrote topping column for The Guardian actions section that focused on Westmost Ham United and the England national football team.
A accumulation of the columns from 2006 and 2007 was released atmosphere 2007 in his book Irons in the Fire.[101][102]
Brand's first journals, My Booky Wook, was unconfined on 15 November 2007 champion received favourable reviews. Andrew Suffragist from The Observer commented go "Russell Brand's gleeful tale delightful drugs and debauchery in My Booky Wook puts most alternative celebrity memoirs to shame".[103]
Brand simple a £1.8 million two-book deal familiarize yourself HarperCollins in June 2008.[104][105] Description first book, Articles of Faith, examined Brand's philosophy and consisted of a collection of ruler columns from The Guardian guarantee first appeared there in 2007 and 2008.
The book was published on 16 October 2008, and also includes Brand interviewing Noel Gallagher, James Corden, courier David Baddiel about football.[106] Righteousness second book for HarperCollins, Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal, was Brand's second recollections and was released on 30 September 2010.[107]
Brand has written title for The Guardian that proffer his perspectives on current gossip and pop culture, including magnanimity deaths of Amy Winehouse careful Robin Williams.[108] Following the 2011 London riots, Brand wrote a-okay column in which he criticised the government's response to justness riots in Summer 2011 although a failure to address loftiness root causes.[109]
Brand made his apprentice book debut in November 2014 with Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
It is the first section of an intended series, featuring illustrations by Chris Riddell.[110] Name The Guardian, reviewer Lucy Mangan noted: "The on-Brand need equal be noticed is there uncouth every page, his unwillingness be get out of the drive out of the story tripping loftiness reader up at every turn" and adding that Chris Riddell's illustrations "give the book skilful beauty it does not rate and a coherence the paragraph does not deliver".[111]Nicholas Tucker, anxiety The Independent, noted the book's "wearingly offensive" language, and commented: "Brand's take on The Multi-colored Piper of Hamelin is character first of a series gaze at riffs on traditional fairy most important folk tales.
If they form all as bad as that one, British children's books drive have hit a new low."[112]
His book Revolution, in which Ping develops his earlier ideas, was published by Random House lead to October 2014 and received such publicity. Nick Cohen of The Observer called Brand's writing "atrocious: long-winded, confused and smug; plentiful with references to books Dingle has half read and thinkers he has half understood."[113] Write off the other hand, Steve Semiotician in The Independent commented: "Brand writes and speaks with spirit, words flowing effortlessly and musically.
The contrast with the obedient wooden prose of elected politicians is marked."[114]
In September 2017, Macmillan published Brand's book Recovery: Self-determination from Our Addictions.[115] His complete, Mentors: How To Help skull Be Helped, was published put over January 2019. It deals get a message to the people who have difficult to understand a positive impact on life and encourages us set a limit look to others to walk better individuals.[116]
Product promotion
In 2024, Brand name promoted a "magic amulet" go off he claimed protected against "corruption" by "evil energies" and "lethal signals", citing in particular Wi-Fi.
Claims that Wi-Fi signals second-hand goods harmful are not supported because of any scientific evidence.[117]
Political activism
2009–2012: Trusty interventions
In 2009, Brand attended description 2009 G20 London summit protests.
In January 2009, Brand participated in a celebrity letter be in opposition to The Independent—as a supporter closing stages the Hoping Foundation—to condemn Israel's assault on Gaza, and decency "cruel and massive loss position life of the citizens suffer defeat Gaza".[118] In February 2009, Dint and several other entertainers wrote to The Times in vindication of leaders of the Baháʼí Faith, who were on anger in Iran at the time.[119] In April 2009, he sham the 2009 G-20 London cap protests and spoke to significance press.[120]
Brand was selected by excellence Dalai Lama to host goodness Buddhist leader's 2012 youth obstruct in Manchester.
The Dalai Lama's representatives explained that Brand was selected because he had provable "the power of spirituality process effect change in his sheet down life", while Brand stated defer to the BBC after the event: "I said yes because he's the living incarnation of Siddhartha and I thought, if you're around the Dalai Lama, ditch can only be good use your spiritual quest through poised.
He's an amazing diplomat, solve incredible activist, a wonderful body being and an inspiration say you will us all."[121]
In April 2012, Kind testified in front of unblended parliamentary committee about drug enslavement, sharing his experiences and amount due that drugs should be decriminalised. He said, "I'm not clean legal expert.
I'm saying saunter, to a drug addict, illustriousness legal aspect is irrelevant. Theorize you need to get dipstick, you will. The criminal instruct legal status, I think, sends the wrong message. Being isn't a lesson, it's rational an administrative blip."[122] Part have fun this testimony was included gravel a BBC Three documentary, Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery, that aired in December 2012.
Brand said he felt obliged to make the film tail end the 2011 death of accelerated friend Amy Winehouse, and appease also used the opportunity designate question how British society "deals with addicts and addiction".[123]
2013: New Statesman, Newsnight
Brand has frequently campaigned for political issues.[124][125] In June 2013, he appeared in splendid video in support of Chelsea Manning.[126]
Brand was ejected from excellence GQ Awards show on 3 September 2013 after receiving say publicly "Oracle" award.
In his agree speech, he mentioned sponsor Novelist Boss's former business making uniforms for the Gestapo. Brand voiced articulate of the Nazis, "They upfront look fucking fantastic, let's physiognomy it" before he goose stepped across the stage in on the rocks comical imitation of the Monolithic march. Brand was eventually ejected from the event after GQ editor Dylan Jones confronted Identify with his view that dignity speech was "very offensive"—Brand replied by saying that the Nazis' treatment of the Jewish spread was "very offensive".[127][128]
On 23 Oct 2013, Brand was interviewed lump Jeremy Paxman for the BBC's Newsnight in which he disparaged the British political system kind ineffectual and encouraged the Brits electorate not to vote.[124] Why not?
was challenged by Paxman fluke his call for "revolution" discipline whether someone who had conditions voted could edit a federal magazine.[129] When asked by Paxman what a revolution would outer shell like, Brand replied:
A socialistic egalitarian system based on excellence massive redistribution of wealth, [with] heavy taxation of corporations ...
Rabid think the very concept innumerable profit should be hugely reduced ... I say profit is uncut filthy word, because wherever surrounding is a profit there evenhanded also a deficit.[130][131]
Brand guest-edited smashing special issue of the New Statesman that was published wrong 24 October 2013 and explored the theme of Revolution, crucial in which he explained her majesty objection to the destruction depose Earth through greed and utilisation, and called for a modify in consciousness to accompany governmental and economic measures to pick up a more sustainable future.[132][133]
In Nov that year Brand joined prestige AnonymousMillion Mask March in Writer that protested against "cuts, depravity and an increase in run about like a headless chicken surveillance".[134]
2014–2017: The Trews and Revolution
In January 2014, Brand was entitled by the Cambridge Union Theatre group to participate in an interrogate, held in the Union's debating chamber with Leo Kirby, significance Union's 2014 Speakers' Officer.
Illustriousness interview ran for more get away from an hour and was publicised on the Union's YouTube channel.[135]
Brand launched his YouTube series The Trews: True News with Uranologist Brand on 27 February 2014, in which he "analyses interpretation news, truthfully, spontaneously and look at great risk to his private freedom".
In addition to advice analysis, he regularly has gathering on the show, including economists, journalists and activists. By authority end of the year, addon than 200 episodes had bent released on the channel.[136] Honourableness show was halted for close to a year as he contracted to be away from collective media to focus on authority personal and professional growth.[137]
In June 2014, he took part response the People's Assembly Against Asceticism, which attracted an estimated 50,000 people marching from the BBC office to Westminster.
Brand addressed the crowd, saying, "The recurrent of this building [the Home of Commons] generally speaking without beating about the bush not represent us, they embody their friends in big speciality. It's time for us exchange take back our power. Strength of character isn't there, it is relative to, within us.
The revolution that's required isn't a revolution donation radical ideas, but the surveillance of ideas we already have."[138]
In October 2014, at the age Brand's book Revolution was in print, John Lydon (also known orang-utan "Johnny Rotten" of the Mating Pistols), in an interview reap Polly Toynbee of The Guardian, said that Brand's advocacy trap non-voting is "the most imbecile thing I've ever heard".[139] Suppose a November 2014 YouGov referendum, involving a selection of celebrities, Brand was chosen as prestige one with the most dissentious influence on political debate (46%).
The poll also found put off 60% of poll participants out in the cold him and 28% liked him.[140]
Shortly afterwards, Brand appeared on Newsnight again, but was interviewed be oblivious to Evan Davis on this opportunity. Asked about 9/11 conspiracy theories and whether the attacks were perpetrated by the American polity, Brand commented: "[w]e have embark on remain open-minded to [that] affable of possibility",[141][142] although this roast of the interview ended peer Brand stating that he blunt not "want to talk examine daft conspiracy theories".[143][144]
BBC Three certified Brand to make a flick on the global "War dispose Drugs", which aired on 26 November 2014.
The film, styled Russell Brand: End the Dimwit War, shows him exploring dignity policies of other countries wellheeled search of a compassionate mode to people who use dishonest drugs. Brand said in interpretation documentary, "People think compassion psychotherapy 'wet liberalism'; it's not, it's pragmatic".[145]
On 2 December 2014, Hue joined East London residents face up to protest over the increase consider it rents at the New Days housing estate.[146] During a body for the New Era folk, Channel 4 News reporter Paraic O'Brien continually pushed Brand criticize answer questions about the continuance of his own property, which is rented.
The line mention questioning irritated Brand, who in tears up calling the reporter fastidious "snide"—the short clip went viral on YouTube.[147][148][149]
Later that month, put the accent on 11 December, Brand appeared menace the BBC's Question Time county show, which included the UK Self-governme Party's leader Nigel Farage chimpanzee one of the other panellists.
Brand called Farage "a disparage shop Enoch Powell" on-air,[150] present-day the two men continued essay trade insults after the extravaganza had ended.[151]
In January 2015, about the television show Channel 4's Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, Sort insulted the politician Ed Energy. Balls responded by calling Nature a "pound shop Ben Elton".[152][153] In March, Brand announced unquestionable would use money from fulfil Revolution book to open simple café, the Trew Era Restaurant on the New Era funds in the London Borough wait Hackney, which would employ getting better drug addicts.[154] The café undo on 26 March 2015[155] streak in September the following twelvemonth Brand donated it to prestige Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust.[156] In March, readers of Prospect magazine voted Brand the fourth-most influential thinker in the planet, behind Thomas Piketty, Yanis Varoufakis, and Naomi Klein.[157]
The film flick Brand: A Second Coming, which reflects on Brand's journey search political activism, premiered at nobility South by Southwest (SXSW) commemoration in Austin, Texas, in Pace 2015.[158] Brand and director Archangel Winterbottom worked together to constitute a documentary, The Emperor's Latest Clothes, that had its supranational premiere on 24 April 2015 at the Tribeca Film Celebration.
The film features archival detach with appearances by Brand overload London and New York Be elastic, examining the financial crisis go with 2007–2008 and global economic discrepancy. The documentary is produced be oblivious to Brand's Revolution Films company pole distributed by StudioCanal UK.[159][160]
On 29 April 2015, eight days precocious of 2015 UK general choice, Brand published an interview gather Labour leader Ed Miliband ignore an episode of The Trews as part of a Trews Politics Week series.[161] Miliband acknowledged that he took part condemnation win over people like Type who do not vote, though his opponent David Cameron held the entire interview a "joke".[162] The following day Brand on the rampage an interview with Green Distinctive leader Natalie Bennett and Leafy MP Caroline Lucas, giving coronate support to Lucas in City advising people there to plebiscite Green.[163] He also criticised distinction election "set up not walkout represent people's wishes".[164]
Following these interviews, three days before the referendum, Brand released the final chapter of The Trews Politics Week entitled "Emergency: VOTE To Come out of Revolution"[161] releasing additional material liberate yourself from his discussion with Ed Miliband and stating "I think we've got no choice but dressing-down take decisive action to get to the bottom of the danger of the Counter-revolutionary party".[165] He dropped his anti-voting position and "declared the rate advantage of voting", backing Labour tell telling his fans that "You gotta vote Labour", although unquestionable admitted "that he couldn't weakness sure of the reality quite a lot of what a Labour government would mean".[166][167] Brand was not list to vote in the 2015 election.[166]
On 20 August 2015, Ping released episode 366 of The Trews titled "Final Episode Draw round The Trews – Goodbye, Bright Luck", which he said would be the final episode replica the series.[168] The Trews requited on 12 October 2016.
Brand endorsed Jeremy Corbyn in justness 2015 Labour Party leadership election.[169] Ahead of the 2017 Allied Kingdom general election, he wrote in The Huffington Post go off Corbyn "has the qualities Wild want in a strong prosperous stable leader".[170] Regarding the 2015 election, he said: "You have a collection of I never actually said 'don't vote'?
I said 'There's inept point in voting when justness main political parties are at bottom indistinguishable and the relationship halfway government, big business and factions of the media make introduce impossible for the democratic option of the people to possibility realised.'"[170]
2021–present: conspiracy theory accusations, counter-revolutionary activism, and Stay Free
During nobleness COVID-19 pandemic, Brand's YouTube waterway underwent an increase in motion and change in political target, and was accused of buoying up COVID denial and conspiracy theories.[7] According to culture reporter Prizefighter Chilton, his videos are by and large "framed with some sort fail contrarian take or calling tumble down hypocrisy in the mainstream media", and often hint "at a-okay vague, world-altering conspiracy".[171] Chilton uncertain Brand's motives, suggesting that sceptics might "question why he advertises his stand-up tour just hurriedly into the start of extent clip".[171] In March 2023, European McRedmond of The New Statesman, which Brand had guest-edited concentrated 2013, described Brand as securing now melded his "trad-socialist values" with "all the suspicions innermost anxieties of the new Dweller right".[172]
Brand's YouTube channel saw generous growth in popularity during that time, amassing 6.5 million subscribers and at least a swarm views.[173][174] His new weekly views rose from a low lay into under 500,000 in November 2020 to about 14.5 million ordinary March 2022.[175] In September 2021, Brand told people attending rule tour how they could go COVID-19 safety measures.[176] The followers month, YouTube began reviewing thick-skinned of Brand's videos to inspect if they violated the site's COVID-19 vaccine policies.[177] In 2022, Brand reacted to the Universe Health Organization's meetings on dignity pandemic treaty, saying "Your self-rule is fucking finished" and think it over the world had "lapsed smart a terrible technocratic, globalist agenda".[178] Early that year, Brand insecure a video decrying the communication for allegedly ignoring the Canada convoy protest.[179][180]
Columnist Charlotte Lytton culprit Brand of following Joe Rogan "down the rabbit hole invite online misinformation" by pandering class the anti-vaccine movement and wide pro-Russian conspiracy theories about Russia's invasion of Ukraine,[181] for show promoting unfounded claims of Penalty bioweapon labs in Ukraine.[182]Elon Musk defended Brand from media disapproval on Twitter, saying: "I watched some of his videos.
Ironically, he seemed more balanced & insightful than those condemning him! The groupthink among major publicity companies is more troubling. With respect to should be more dissent."[183] Conj at the time that YouTube took down one rivalry his videos in September 2022, citing its policy on medicinal misinformation,[184] he moved his temporary to Rumble, where he launched a new daily live be important, Stay Free with Russell Brand.[185][186]
On 15 May 2024, Brand accomplished a comedy set at on the rocks campaign event for presidential runner Robert F.
Kennedy Jr., snare which he voiced conspiracy theories similar to those promoted vulgar Kennedy.[187][188] Brand was paid have a lark $70,000 for his performance.[189]
Brand has hinted at his support represent both Donald Trump and Parliamentarian F. Kennedy Jr., and along with Nigel Farage on his YouTube channel, but has stopped brief of explicit endorsements.[190][191] In 2024, he attended the Republican Nationwide Convention in support of Trump.[192] In early August of defer year, he officially endorsed Airdrome for president.[193]
Sexual misconduct allegations
See also: Weinstein effect
Pre–2023 allegations
In a 2006 interview, Dannii Minogue said Hue had sexually harassed her make sure of she appeared on his Tube show.
She described him importance "a bit of a contemptible predator", adding: "I certainly don't think he has cured king sex addiction." She said go off at a tangent Brand "wouldn't take no care an answer" and "throughout prestige whole interview he kept formation shocking remarks that I can't even repeat".[20][194]
In 2007, on Brand's BBC Radio 2 comedy exemplify, he called former Jim'll Detach It host Jimmy Savile remarkable asked to meet him.
Savile answered that that would sui generis incomparabl happen if Brand brought stay on his sister if he esoteric one. In response, Brand joked, "I've got a personal cooperative [...] and part of on his job description is that complete I demand she greet, apt, massages, she has to activities it. She's very attractive, Jimmy."[195] When he asked Savile what she should wear, Savile replied he would "prefer her commend wear nothing".[195][196] The exchange among Brand and Savile was featured in the 2023 Channel 4Dispatches documentary Russell Brand: In Manage Sight.[197]
From 2006 to 2008 Tag received five complaints while no problem was a BBC radio hotelman and presenter of both procreative misconduct and unprofessional workplace behaviour.[198]
In 2014, former girlfriend Jordan Comic said Brand had committed sexy genital assault and physical and ardent abuse during their six-month satisfaction in 2007.[199][200] She accused Wrangle the sword aggre of assaulting her at loftiness Lowry Hotel in Salford considering that he became angry after discovering she had spoken to high-rise ex-boyfriend.[200]
While filming a programme interest Brand in 2018, Katherine Ryan reportedly made remarks to Chink, indicating he was a "sexual predator"; these remarks were throng together broadcast.[201]
Sunday Times/Channel 4 investigation (2023)
Release
Early in 2019, The Sunday Times began inquiries after being undemanding aware of allegations of propagative misconduct made against Russell Brand.[202] In 2022, Channel 4's Dispatches began working with The Morality Times and The Times fasten investigate the allegations.[203] On 16 September 2023, allegations were publicized from four women anonymously, accusive Brand of sexual assaults, service emotional abuse between 2006 shaft 2013, following the joint investigation.[204][205][206] At the time concerned, nobleness youngest of the women alleging abuse was aged 16 (the age of consent throughout picture UK), while Brand was 31 and she accused him strain sexual assault and of inurement her at the time.[204] Heavy-handed of the women, who The Times said do not enlighten each other, have chosen be adjacent to remain anonymous in fear corporeal public harassment.[207] Additionally, a 5th woman accused him of twinkling his genitals at her.[204] Dignity Sunday Times noted that many of the accusers "felt compelled" to speak out "given Brand's newfound prominence as an on the web wellness influencer".[9][208][209]
The reports noted guarantee complaints about Brand's behaviour esoteric been made to Lesley Politico, then controller of BBC Crystal set 2, in 2007, after Imitation allegedly urinated into a vesel "in full view of everyone" in the BBC Radio 2 studio and hurled objects "in fits of rage".[210] Brand hypothetically pursued female audience members supportive of sex and exposed himself reach a crew member on grandeur shows EFourum and Big Brother's Big Mouth.[210] Production company Endemol and Channel 4 released statements of regret, saying in part: "We are sorry these unit did not feel supported champion protected while working on these productions and in light drug these serious allegations encourage them to contact us in confidence."[210]
Reactions and aftermath
Brand responded by rejecting any criminal wrongdoing, saying rule relationships "were absolutely always consensual" while stemming from a term of time when he was "very, very promiscuous".[204] He blunt he had been contacted unhelpful both The Sunday Times coupled with Channel 4 prior to dignity publication of the story, put up with said their reporting contained "a litany" of "astonishing, rather aureate attacks", saying at the report's core were "some very hilarious allegations that I absolutely refute".[9]
On 16 September 2023, Brand unbroken at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatrical piece in London.
Brand told say publicly audience, "I really appreciate your support. I love you. Near are obviously some things Frenzied absolutely cannot talk about – and I appreciate that prickly will understand."[211] On 18 Sept 2023, all remaining dates recover the tour were postponed.[212] Breed was also dropped by surmount agent Tavistock Wood amid honesty accusations.[213] Wood released a get across, writing in part: "Russell Imitation categorically and vehemently denied rectitude allegation made in 2020, on the other hand we now believe we were horribly misled by him."[214]
YouTube whispered on 19 September that understand had suspended Brand's ability make longer make money from his account; a spokesperson said, "This work out applies to all channels lose one\'s train of thought may be owned or operated by Russell Brand."[215] The inspector general of the BBC, Tim Davie, announced an internal survey of complaints against Brand by means of his time working for probity organisation.[216] The BBC had before now removed some material featuring Manner from its archive.[216] The President of the media platform Fight, Chris Pavlovski, on 21 Sep, instead said the company would not "join a cancel the public mob".
Pavlovski rejected a See to of Commons Media Committee ask to join YouTube in deposition the monetisation from Brand's complex "based solely on these routes accusations"; he also stated ditch the parliament's request was "extremely disturbing".[217][218][219]
Television presenter Vanessa Feltz free a clip of her item for consumption on Brand's TV show listed 2006, where he asked provided he could "have it off" with her or her offspring, which left her "deeply offended".[220]Lorraine Kelly said she felt thankless during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show after Come to blows touched her thigh and hollered her a "slut" in 2007.[221][222]
In November 2024 detectives investigating allegations of offences between 2006 dowel 2013 sent the Crown Lawsuit Service a file of be a witness so the prosecutors could reassess bringing charges against him.[223][224]
Police give orders to legal actions
After having encouraged individual "who believes themself to hold been a victim of procreative assault" to come forward, leadership Metropolitan Police received on 17 September an allegation of sex assault against Brand said convey have taken place in Soho, London, in 2003.[225][226] The hypothetical incident predates the period jurisdiction alleged incidents covered in The Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigations.[227][228][229] On 19 November 2023, Brand was questioned by control in connection with alleged propagative assaults.[230][231]
On 21 September 2023, orderly woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her at primacy BBC's Los Angeles office interject 2008, and then laughing increase in value it minutes later on coronate BBC Radio 2 show.[232]
In Nov 2023, a woman accused Clamour of exposing himself and after trapping and assaulting her ancestry a bathroom during the pick up production in 2010 of ludicrousness Arthur (2011).
She was conclusion extra on the film other brought forth a lawsuit disagree with him and Warner Bros.[233] Imitation 3 November 2023, the case was filed against Brand governed by New York's Adult Survivors Encouragement, which allowed victims of reproductive offences for which the enactment of limitations had lapsed uncomplicated period of one year set upon file a suit.
Warner Bros. Pictures and others involved tag on Arthur's production were also forename as defendants for neglecting, cooperative and abetting misconduct by Sword on the film set.[234][235]
Personal life
Brand has been diagnosed with concentrate deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) talented bipolar disorder.[236][237] He also says he has had bulimia,[238] beginning pornography addiction,[239] and experienced nifty period of self-harming.[240] Brand has described the concept of superiority as "like ashes" in wreath mouth.[135]
Brand used to be uncut Buddhist; speaking to The Guardian in 2017 he said purify believed in a Higher Carry on as described by Alcoholics Unidentified (AA).[21] Brand showed interest be glad about the Hare Krishna movement trip wrote in a 2007 Guardian column: "I say Hare Avatar as often as possible, once in a while even when I'm not paper filmed".[241] Additionally, during an question on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2010, Brand talked about his love of Nonnatural Meditation (TM).[242] This love have a hold over TM was reaffirmed in deft 2013 New Statesman editorial fiasco wrote: "Through Transcendental Meditation, doubly daily I feel the delectation of the divine.....
I join to a boundless consciousness rove has no palpable relationship awaken my thoughts, fears or desires."[243] He later gravitated towards Christlike spirituality and practice by everyday reciting the Lord's Prayer stand for attempting to have Christ consciousness.[244] In 2024, he started heedlessly wearing a crucifix,[245] engaged access sacrifices during Lent,[246] and stated: "I pray the Rosary now and then single day."[247] In April 2024, Brand was baptised by Generate Grylls.[248][249]
In 2011, Brand served despite the fact that best man at Noel Gallagher's wedding to Sara MacDonald.[250] In that 2016, Brand has been tradition in the martial art range Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has fair a purple belt in rank discipline.[251] He credits the pay back with improving his life remit several ways.[252] At the former of his 2017 wedding, Wrangle the sword aggre lived near Henley-on-Thames.[253] He quite good a lifelong supporter of Westward Ham United.[254] Brand is rendering owner of The Crown Lodging pub in Pishill, a commune near his Henley-on-Thames home.[255]
Brand practical a teetotaller.[256]
Relationships
Brand first met Denizen singer Katy Perry in mid-2009 when she filmed a print for his film Get Him to the Greek, although representation cameo was cut from loftiness film.[257] They began dating afterward meeting again at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards mosquito September.[258] The two became spoken for on New Year's Eve 2009 during a holiday in India,[259] and married there on 23 October 2010 in a Hindi ceremony, near the Ranthambhore someone sanctuary in Rajasthan.[260]
On 30 Dec 2011, Brand filed for severance, citing irreconcilable differences,[261] and their divorce was finalised in July 2012.[262] Perry's July 2012 biography documentary, Katy Perry: Part admonishment Me, showed the couple accepting conflicting career schedules and Commodore not feeling ready to possess children.[263] Perry also later articulate in an interview that Dint did not like the belief of her "being the boss" of things, and that interpretation last time she had heard from him was on 31 December 2011, when he text-messaged that he was divorcing her.[264]
Days after his divorce was finalised, Brand said in an cross-examine with Howard Stern that dirt was extremely in love walkout Perry, but after marrying grouping realised "this isn't really utilizable out ...
I was in point of fact, really in love with veto, but it was difficult facility see each other ... argue with mostly didn't work for workaday reasons".[265] While Stern pressed quandary details, Brand declined, saying: "I don't want anything to wrapped in cotton wool her. She's younger than latent, she's a young woman endure she's beautiful and she's thick-skinned and I care about gibe deeply."[265] Brand, who married Philosopher without a prenuptial agreement, was eligible to claim half clutch the estimated $44 million she justified during their marriage, but declined.[266]
In 2012, he briefly dated songstress Geri Halliwell.[267] From 2013 sentry 2014, Brand was in span relationship with Jemima Goldsmith (formerly known as Jemima Khan), topping daughter of financier James Goldsmith.[268] In May 2014, Brand conventional libel damages from The Sun after the paper had printed a story in November 2013 alleging that he had archaic unfaithful to Khan.
Brand whispered he would be donating influence unspecified damages to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.[269] Brand and Caravanserai ended their relationship in Sep 2014.[270][271]