Russell Brand

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Russell Brand Biography

Russell Brand (born 4.6.1975)

Russell Brand is an English comedian, as well as a television and radio presenter.

Russell Brand: Childhood

Russell Brand is an only child, born to Barbara and Ronald Brand, in Grays, Essex. Russell's parents separated when he was six months old.

At school, Brand's first acting performance was as 'Fat Sam' in Bugsy Malone, when he was 15. His theatre performances led to a scholarship at the Italia Conti Academy, a renowned acting school. He also earned a three-year scholarship at the Drama Centre, in Chalk Farm, London.

Russell Brand: Comedy Career

In 2000, Brand performed at the final of the New Act of the Year, at the Hackney Empire. He attracted the attention of agent John Noel and his first major stand up tour, Shame, was a major success.

In November 2006, Brand organized a secret stand up show for people in his MySpace network.

Brand has been involved in a number of high-profile collaborations, including a Comic Relief sketch with Matt Lucas and David Walliams' Little Britain characters, in which he plays a cross-dressing plumber. In 2007, Brand performed at a charity show alongside Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh, which centered around their 'Goth Detectives' characters.

In July 2008, Brand courted controversy when he made a hoax phone call to the police whilst onstage in Northampton, claiming to have spotted a man that had carried out a series of serious assaults.

Russell Brand: TV Presenting

Brand's first presenting job was working as a VJ (video jockey) on MTV. He presented Dance Floor Chart as well as working on MTV Select.

On September 12th, 2001, the day after the New York terrorist attacks, Brand turned up to work at MTV dressed as Osama Bin laden. He was promptly fired.

Following this hasty departure, Brand filmed RE:Brand, a documentary focusing on cultural taboos. Brand wrote the documentary with the help of his writing partner, Matt Morgan.

Brand returned to MTV in 2006, hosting 1 Leicester Square, a chat show that featured guests such as Tom Cruise, Uma Thurman and Boy George.

In 2004, Brand was selected to host Big Brother's Eforum, a partner show to Big Brother 5. He carried on these presenting duties for Big Brother 6 and7, when the show's name was changed to Big Brother's Big Mouth. Russell was also one of the celebrities to take over the Big Brother role on 2008's Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. He continued working for E4 on Russell Brand's Got Issues, but the viewing figures were disappointing. In 2006, Brand hosted his own chat show, the Russell Brand Show, on Channel 4. The show ran for five weeks. Returning to Channel 4, Brand hosted Russell Brand's Ponderland, in which he discussed a variety of topics via his stand-up comedy.

In 2006, Russell Brand hosted the NME Awards. He was insulted by Bob Geldof and was quick to retaliate.

The BBC broadcast a documentary in 2007 entitled Russell Brand On the Road, in which he and Matt Morgan traveled across the USA and explored the classic jack Kerouac novel, On the Road.

In 2008, Brand hosted the MTV Video Music Awards, launching Britney Spears' comeback. Again, he courted controversy by insulting George W. Bush and mocking the Jonas Brothers for their 'virginity rings'.

Russell Brand: Radio Presenting

In 2002, Brand and Morgan hosted a Sunday afternoon show on London's Xfm. Russell was fired from the job when he read pornographic material live on air. The Russell Brand Show started out on BBC 6Music in April 2006 and moved to Radio 2 seven months later, with a regular listener base of around 2 million.

Russell Brand: Acting Career

In 1994, Russell Brand made his first serious TV appearance in The Bill.

In 2007, Brand appeared in his first major film role, playing Flash Harry in St. Trinian's. In 2008, he earned his first lead role, in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, gaining good reviews for his performance.

Russell Brand: Writing

My Booky Wooky, Brand's autobiography was released in 2007. It was notable for his honest depiction of life as a heroin addict.

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Russell Brand Picture Gallery

russell brand attends a funeral service 310513
russell brand attends a funeral service 310513
russell brand attends a funeral service 310513
russell brand attends a funeral service 310513
russell brand attends a funeral service 310513

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The Latest Russell Brand News

Russell Brand Tried To Charm Mila Kunis

19th June 2013

Russell Brand tried to ''chat up'' Mila Kunis.The 38-year-old comedian attempted to flirt with the brunette beauty when they were...

Katy Perry Breaks Silence On Relationship With Russell Brand Including His ‘divorce Text’

19th June 2013

Katy Perry, in an interview with US Vogue, has revealed some of the details surrounding her mysterious divorce from comedian...

Katy Perry Wants Man Who Will Love Her 'right'

19th June 2013

Katy Perry wants to find a man who will love her ''in the right way''.The 28-year-old singer has a failed...

Katy Perry Admitted That Russell Brand Ended Things Via Text Message

18th June 2013

For many, the union of Russell Brand and Katy Perry was a strange one; one of them is a comedian...

Katy Perry Reveals Russell Brand Texted Her For Divorce

18th June 2013

It's every relationship's worst nightmare: being dumped by text - only this time Russell Brand ramped up the rudeness by...

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Russell Brand Footage Film / Movie Reviews

Rock of Ages 2012, Review by Rich Cline

This raucous trawl through 80s power ballads, rock anthems and gigantic hair is a lot...

Hop 2011, Review by Rich Cline

What could have been a painfully childish animated Easter romp is given a shot of...

Arthur 2011, Review by Rich Cline

In a sea of unnecessary remakes, this rehash of the 1981 comedy seems particularly ill-timed,...

Get Him to the Greek 2010, Review by Rich Cline

With all the hallmarks of an Apatow production (vulgarity, racy humour, adults acting like children),...

Despicable Me 2010, Review by Rich Cline

This bright and silly animated comedy is a remarkably effective combination of deranged humour, nutty...

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The Latest Russell Brand Press Releases

Comedian Russell Brand To Embark On His First Ever World Tour August, 2013

7th June 2013

Comedian, actor and author, Russell Brand announces his first ever world stand-...

Russell Brand Announces All Star Gig At Wembley Arena 'Give It Up For Comic Relief' On 6th March 2013

1st February 2013

Friday 1st February 2013, Russell Brand launches 'Give It Up for Comic...

Booky Wook 2 Tour Set For Autumn 2010

14th September 2010

To celebrate the release of his second autobiography, Russell Brand will be heading out on the...

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Russell Brand Related Artists

Katy Perry

Katy Perry

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