From stand-up tours selling a million tickets to activism that fills city streets, the life of Russell Brand—born June 4, 1975, in Essex, England—is a story of profound transformation from addiction and scandal to spiritual awakening and political agitation.
Key Takeaways
- Russell Brand was born on June 4, 1975, in Grays, Essex, England, making him 49 years old as of 2024.
- Russell Brand stands at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall.
- Russell Brand has three children with his wife Laura Gallacher: a daughter born in 2017, another in 2018, and a son in 2021.
- Russell Brand first performed stand-up comedy at age 16 in 1991.
- Russell Brand's debut comedy special 'Messiah Complex' was released in 2013.
- Russell Brand hosted 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' for 7 years from 2004 to 2010, appearing in over 300 episodes.
- Brand's role in 'St. Trinian's' (2007) was a comedic breakout with box office £27 million UK.
- In 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008), Brand played Aldous Snow, grossing $105 million worldwide.
- 'Get Him to the Greek' (2010) sequel starred Brand as Aldous Snow, earned $92 million globally.
- Russell Brand's autobiography 'My Booky Wook' (2007) sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
- 'Booky Wook 2' (2010) sequel debuted at #1 on UK charts.
- 'The Mentalist' essay collection (2009) published by HarperCollins.
- Russell Brand led the People's Assembly march 2014 with 50,000 attendees.
- Brand endorsed the Labour Party in 2015 election before withdrawing support.
- He interviewed Jeremy Corbyn on Trews in 2015, video 4 million views.
Russell Brand evolved from comedian and recovering addict to political activist and wellness advocate.
Acting and Television
- Brand's role in 'St. Trinian's' (2007) was a comedic breakout with box office £27 million UK.
- In 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008), Brand played Aldous Snow, grossing $105 million worldwide.
- 'Get Him to the Greek' (2010) sequel starred Brand as Aldous Snow, earned $92 million globally.
- Russell Brand starred as Arthur Bach in the 2011 remake, budget $40 million, gross $46 million.
- Brand voiced the rabbit E.B. in 'Hop' (2011), film grossed $183 million worldwide.
- In 'Rock of Ages' (2012), Brand played Lonny, film earned $60 million.
- Russell Brand appeared in 'Trolls' (2016) voicing Creek, grossed $347 million.
- Brand hosted 'The Russell Brand Show' on BBC Radio 2 for 2 seasons, 2006-2008.
- He presented 'A League of Their Own' on Sky1 in 2010 for 1 series.
- Russell Brand hosted 1 episode of 'Saturday Night Live' on Feb 13, 2010.
- Brand guest-starred in 'The Simpsons' Season 23, Episode 9 in 2011.
- In 'Despicable Me' franchise, Brand voiced Dr. Nefario in 3 films, total gross over $1.5 billion.
- Russell Brand appeared in 'Ballot Monkeys' BBC2 series in 2015, 6 episodes.
- He starred in 'Death on the Nile' (2022) as Pilchefosse, part of Agatha Christie remake.
- Brand hosted 'Russell Brand's Got Issues' on FX 2009, 3 episodes.
- In TV, Brand's 'Jim Jefferies Show' guest spot in 2017 drew 1.2 million viewers.
- Russell Brand played in 'Loot' (2008) West End play for 3 months.
- Brand's TV filmography includes 25+ credits on IMDb as of 2024.
- He directed short film 'In Lambeth' in 2000 about William Blake.
- Russell Brand hosted MTV's 'Brand: The Emperors of Rock' docuseries 2003.
- Brand appeared in 15 episodes of 'Big Brother's Little Brother' 2004-2005.
- In 'EastEnders: Under Threat' 2003 TV movie, Brand had a role.
- Russell Brand's 'Revolting Cocks' TV show 2006 on ITV2 had 6 episodes.
- He voiced characters in 'Pipkins' Island' animated series 2012, 52 episodes.
- Brand guest on 'The One Show' BBC over 20 times since 2007.
Acting and Television Interpretation
Russell Brand built a lucrative and eclectic career by cleverly leveraging his chaotic comic persona into box office gold and a sprawling media presence, only to see the latter—and his personal brand—become its own cautionary tale.
Comedy Career
- Russell Brand first performed stand-up comedy at age 16 in 1991.
- Russell Brand's debut comedy special 'Messiah Complex' was released in 2013.
- Russell Brand hosted 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' for 7 years from 2004 to 2010, appearing in over 300 episodes.
- Russell Brand's live comedy tours have sold over 1 million tickets worldwide.
- 'Re:Generation' comedy special by Russell Brand released in 2010 topped charts in UK.
- Russell Brand won the Loaded Live Laughs Award for Best Stand-Up in 2006.
- Brand's 'Rock N Roll' tour in 2008 grossed over £2 million.
- Russell Brand performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2000, winning a Perrier Award nomination.
- Brand's podcast 'Lump' ran for 12 episodes in 2009-2010.
- Russell Brand hosted the 2008 BRIT Awards alongside Mathew Horne.
- Brand's comedy style mixes political satire, surrealism, and personal anecdotes, influencing comedians like James Acaster.
- Russell Brand sold out Wembley Arena for 'Messiah Complex' in 2013 with 20,000 attendees.
- Brand's first paid gig was at the Hackney Empire in 1995 for £10.
- Russell Brand appeared on 'The Panel' Australian TV comedy show 8 times in 2001.
- Brand co-wrote and starred in comedy sketches for 'The Big Fat Quiz of the Year' 2006-2011, 6 appearances.
- Russell Brand's 'Recovery Live' tour in 2022 had 15 UK dates.
- Brand received the Time Out Comedy Award in 2004.
- Russell Brand's average comedy show ticket price is £35-£50.
- Brand performed stand-up on 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' as guest host 3 times.
- Russell Brand's 'Shame' tour in 2006 played 40 shows across UK and Ireland.
- Brand's comedy has been viewed over 500 million times on YouTube clips.
- Russell Brand hosted MTV Europe Music Awards in 2007 and 2008.
- Brand's first comedy book 'My Booky Wook' sold 500,000 copies in UK.
- Russell Brand debuted at Just for Laughs festival in Montreal 2008.
- Brand's 'Wonderland' tour 2014 had 86 dates globally.
- Russell Brand co-hosted Comic Relief 2011 raising £100 million.
Comedy Career Interpretation
From a scruffy £10 gig at the Hackney Empire to selling out Wembley Arena, Russell Brand's three-decade-long comedic odyssey is a masterclass in building a fervent, ticket-buying congregation through a potent mix of calculated chaos, prolific output, and sheer theatrical bravado.
Personal Life
- Russell Brand was born on June 4, 1975, in Grays, Essex, England, making him 49 years old as of 2024.
- Russell Brand stands at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall.
- Russell Brand has three children with his wife Laura Gallacher: a daughter born in 2017, another in 2018, and a son in 2021.
- Russell Brand married Laura Gallacher in 2017 after dating since 2013.
- Russell Brand was previously married to Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
- Russell Brand struggled with heroin addiction from age 14 until 2002 when he quit cold turkey.
- Russell Brand attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts but was expelled for dealing cannabis.
- Russell Brand converted to Transcendental Meditation in 2009 and practices it daily.
- Russell Brand owns a home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, valued at over £3 million.
- Russell Brand tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020 and shared his experience publicly.
- Russell Brand weighs approximately 83 kg (183 lbs).
- Russell Brand's parents divorced when he was 18 months old.
- Russell Brand was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder.
- Russell Brand became a vegan in 2013 for ethical reasons.
- Russell Brand's mother is Barbara, a teacher, and his father is Ronald, a cameraman.
- Russell Brand had a sister named Margot who died of cancer when he was young.
- Russell Brand moved to New York City in 2012 post-divorce from Katy Perry.
- Russell Brand practices yoga daily as part of his wellness routine.
- Russell Brand's net worth is estimated at $20 million as of 2024.
- Russell Brand survived a near-death experience from a seizure in 2002 due to drug withdrawal.
- Russell Brand's star sign is Gemini.
- Russell Brand speaks fluent Italian from his time living there as a child.
- Russell Brand has over 100 tattoos, including quotes and symbols on his arms and torso.
- Russell Brand quit smoking cigarettes in 2002 alongside drugs.
- Russell Brand's favorite food is falafel since becoming vegan.
- Russell Brand donates 10% of his income to charity.
- Russell Brand was baptized in the River Thames in 2023 by a spiritual leader.
- Russell Brand's shoe size is 11 (UK).
- Russell Brand has British nationality and holds no dual citizenship.
Personal Life Interpretation
From a turbulent youth defined by addiction and expulsion, Russell Brand has, through meditation, veganism, and a public spiritual reckoning, painstakingly sculpted a life of domestic stability and charitable intent, though his many tattoos and fluent Italian suggest the revolutionary gadfly still lives within the 49-year-old family man.
Political and Social Activism
- Russell Brand led the People's Assembly march 2014 with 50,000 attendees.
- Brand endorsed the Labour Party in 2015 election before withdrawing support.
- He interviewed Jeremy Corbyn on Trews in 2015, video 4 million views.
- Russell Brand founded The Trews Project crowdfunding £250,000 in 2014.
- Brand spoke at Glastonbury Festival 2013 on revolution, 100,000 audience.
- He campaigned against austerity with Hacked Off group post-Leveson.
- Russell Brand declined to vote in 2013 Newsnight interview sparking debate.
- Brand supported Occupy Wall Street movement 2011, arrested briefly in NYC.
- He advocated for drug policy reform, testified to Home Affairs Select Committee 2012.
- Russell Brand launched #MentalHealthMinister campaign 2017.
- Brand protested fracking with Greenpeace 2013, 10,000 signatures collected.
- He supported Palestinian cause, joined Viva Palestina convoy 2009.
- Russell Brand's Revolution film screened 2015, petitioned 100,000 signatures for voting reform.
- Brand criticized Rupert Murdoch, joined phone-hacking lawsuit 2011.
- He donated £1 million to Newsnight for drug rehab centers 2013.
- Russell Brand spoke at UN Climate Summit 2014 on environmentalism.
- Brand backed Extinction Rebellion protests 2019, arrested for flying banner.
- He promoted universal basic income in 'Revolution' book, influencing pilots.
Political and Social Activism Interpretation
Russell Brand has effectively leveraged his celebrity as a stage for activism, orchestrating large-scale protests, funding his own media, and repeatedly inserting himself into the center of political controversies with a mix of earnest advocacy and deliberate provocation.
Writing and Podcasts
- Russell Brand's autobiography 'My Booky Wook' (2007) sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
- 'Booky Wook 2' (2010) sequel debuted at #1 on UK charts.
- 'The Mentalist' essay collection (2009) published by HarperCollins.
- 'Revolution' book (2014) sold 100,000 copies in first month.
- 'Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions' (2017) based on 12-step program, NYT bestseller.
- Brand wrote children's book 'The Boy in the River' (2023).
- 'Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped' (2019) peaked at #2 UK charts.
- Under the Skin podcast ran 2014-2019 with 300+ episodes, 10 million downloads.
- Stay Free with Russell Brand podcast launched 2024, 50 episodes by mid-2024.
- Lumptown Pirates podcast 2009 had 12 episodes with guests like Noel Gallagher.
- Brand's YouTube channel 'Stay Free' has 2 million subscribers, 500 million views as of 2024.
- 'Trews' news show 2014-2015 produced 900+ episodes daily.
- Russell Brand contributed columns to The Guardian 2007-2014, over 100 articles.
- 'Article 50' pamphlet (2016) on Brexit sold 10,000 copies.
- Brand's poetry book 'The Grafter's Art' (2009).
- Dr. Phil show (2021) tie-in book on mental health sold 50,000.
- Russell Brand's blog on russellbrand.com has 1,000+ posts since 2010.
- 'Priority of the Orange' (2020) COVID-themed booklet.
- Brand ghostwrote for others including Matt Morgan's memoir.
- Wake Up podcast with partners has 100 episodes since 2023.
Writing and Podcasts Interpretation
From a cheeky memoirist to a prolific podcasting pundit, Russell Brand has meticulously built a sprawling, multi-platform empire of influence by consistently converting his personal chaos into marketable content for over two decades.
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