Russell Brand

Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, podcaster, and media personality. Born on 4 June 1975, he initially worked as a stand-up comedian and television presenter in the United Kingdom, gaining public attention as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth. He later transitioned into film, starring in British and Hollywood comedies, while hosting various radio shows, podcasts, and stand-up specials.

Brand was born in Grays, Essex, England, to Barbara Elizabeth and photographer Ronald Henry Brand. Raised by his mother following his parents' separation, he spent time living with relatives during his mother's treatment for cancer. He attended Grays School and was accepted into the Italia Conti Academy in 1991, but was expelled after his first year due to drug use and poor attendance. Brand stated he was sexually abused by a tutor during his youth.

Brand began performing stand-up in 2000, competing at the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year final and debuting at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He launched several one-man shows and nationwide comedy tours, including Better Now, Shame, Only Joking, Scandalous, Messiah Complex, and Re:Birth. Over his career, he released multiple stand-up specials, including Scandalous in 2009, Messiah Complex in 2013, and Brandemic in 2023.

His presenting career began in 2000 on MTV UK. He went on to host Big Brother's Big Mouth, 1 Leicester Square, and Russell Brand's Ponderland. He gained further international recognition hosting the 2008 and 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, and the talk show Brand X with Russell Brand. Additionally, he hosted his own radio show, The Russell Brand Show, and podcasts such as Stay Free with Russell Brand and Under the Skin with Russell Brand.

Brand's acting career included early television roles in The Bill, Mud, and Blessed. His first major film role came in the 2007 British comedy St Trinian's. He achieved wider international fame portraying rock star Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008, and starred in Hollywood comedies including Bedtime Stories, Get Him to the Greek, Arthur, and Rock of Ages.

Beginning in 2013, Brand gained public attention for political activism on wealth inequality, corporate capitalism, climate change, and media bias. In 2014, he launched the web series The Trews on YouTube and released the book Revolution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his YouTube activity grew and faced accusations of promoting COVID denialism and conspiracy theories. Brand has received three British Comedy Awards and a nomination for a BAFTA Award.

In September 2023, a media investigation led to five women publicly accusing Brand of sexual assault and abuse between 2006 and 2013, alongside an additional complaint to police regarding a 2003 incident. Brand denied all allegations. He was subsequently charged with multiple counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault. In April 2025, reports emerged of a civil lawsuit filed against him in New York state alleging sexual assault during the filming of Arthur.