Russell Brand: Difference between revisions

'''Russell Edward Brand''' (born 4 June 1975) is an English podcaster and media personality. He established himself as a standup comedian and radio host before becoming a film actor. After beginning his career as a comedian and later becoming an [[MTV (British and Irish TV channel)|MTV]] presenter in the UK, in 2004 Brand gained a role as the host of the television show ''[[Big Brother's Big Mouth]]'', a ''[[Big Brother (British TV series)|Big Brother]]'' spin-off. He had his first major film role in British comedy ''[[St Trinian's (film)|St Trinian's]]'' (2007) before starring in the Hollywood comedies ''[[Forgetting Sarah Marshall]]'' (2008), ''[[Get Him to the Greek]]'' (2010), ''[[Arthur (2011 film)|Arthur]]'' (2011), and ''[[Rock of Ages (2012 film)|Rock of Ages]]'' (2012). He has released several stand-up specials including ''Scandalous'' (2009), ''Messiah Complex'' (2013), and ''Brandemic'' (2023). He hosted his own radio show [[The Russell Brand Show (radio show)|''The Russell Brand Show'']] (2006–2008, 2010, 2013, 2017) and also hosts the podcasts ''Stay Free with Russell Brand'' and ''[[Under the Skin with Russell Brand]]''. He has received three [[National Comedy Awards|British Comedy Awards]] and a nomination for a [[BAFTA Award]]. Over the course of his career, Brand has been the subject of frequent media coverage for issues such as his [[promiscuity]], [[Substance abuse|drug use]], [[political views]], provocative behaviour at various award ceremonies, his dismissal from [[MTV]], and his resignation from the [[BBC]] amid [[The Russell Brand Show prank calls|a prank call controversy]].

 

 

In September 2023, following a joint investigation by ''[[The Times]]'', ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' and [[Channel 4]]'s documentary series ''[[Dispatches (TV programme)|Dispatches]]'', five women publicly accused Brand of [[sexual assault]] and [[sexual abuse|sexual]] and [[emotional abuse]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/russell-brands-management-agency-terminates-ties-sexual-assault-allega-rcna105476 |title=Russell Brand's management agency terminates ties to him following sexual assault allegations |date=17 September 2023 |accessdate=17 September 2023 |agency=NBC News |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917213143/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/russell-brands-management-agency-terminates-ties-sexual-assault-allega-rcna105476 |url-status=live }}</ref> The allegations concern incidents between 2006 and 2013 and were featured in the episode ''Russell Brand: In Plain Sight''. Following the allegations, a further report of an alleged [[sexual assault]] was made against him to the [[Metropolitan Police]], dating from 2003.<ref name="bbcsept23">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66831593 |title=Russell Brand accused of sexual assault by four women |date=16 September 2023 |accessdate=16 September 2023 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916143059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66831593 |url-status=live }}</ref> Brand has denied all of the allegations<ref>{{cite news |last=McIntosh |first=Steven |title=Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assault |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66831593 |access-date=20 September 2023 |agency=BBC News |date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916143059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66831593 |url-status=live }}</ref> and promoted conspiracy theories regarding them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/17/conspiracy-theories-swirl-around-russell-brand-allegations|title=Conspiracy theories swirl around Russell Brand allegations|work=The Guardian|date=17 September 2023|last1=Murray|first1=Jessica|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331204142/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/17/conspiracy-theories-swirl-around-russell-brand-allegations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/22/russell-brand-posts-new-video-claiming-government-wants-to-censor-him|title=Russell Brand posts new video claiming government wants to censor him|work=The Guardian|date=22 September 2023|last1=Badshah|first1=Nadeem|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923011446/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/22/russell-brand-posts-new-video-claiming-government-wants-to-censor-him|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/russell-brand-sexual-assault-allegations-conspiracy-theory-media-rcna105678|title=Conspiracy theories about Russell Brand sexual assault allegations go viral with help from Musk|work=NBC News|date=19 September 2023|last1=Tenbarge|first1=Kat|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208220716/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/russell-brand-sexual-assault-allegations-conspiracy-theory-media-rcna105678|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994, while still a teenager, Brand appeared in episodes of ''[[The Bill]]'' and the children's adventure series ''[[Mud (TV series)|Mud]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Young Russell Brand in 'The Bill' 1994|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujTviHFsgac|via=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=5 January 2014|author=((cwbellor10))|format=Video upload|date=20 January 2008|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113212921/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujTviHFsgac|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Young Russell Brand in 'Mud' (CBBC 1994)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEl1f4MufWE|via=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=5 January 2014|author=((ConnoisseurJon2))|format=Video upload|date=9 January 2010|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116021044/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEl1f4MufWE|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Brand appeared on the TV shows ''[[Cruise of the Gods]]'' and ''[[White Teeth (TV serial)|White Teeth]]''. In 2005, he played Tommy in the BBC sitcom ''[[Blessed (TV series)|Blessed]]'', which was written and directed by [[Ben Elton]]. Brand auditioned for the part of [[Super Hans]] in the Channel 4 sitcom ''[[Peep Show (British TV series)|Peep Show]]''; the role eventually went to [[Matt King (comedian)|Matt King]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7351000/7351096.stm|title=Brand 'rejected for Peep Show role'|access-date=16 April 2008|date=16 April 2008|publisher=BBC [[Newsbeat]]|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831121828/http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7351000/7351096.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, Brand appeared in ''[[Cold Blood (UK TV series)|Cold Blood]]'' for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], playing an ex-con called Ally. Brand played a recovering [[crack addict]] named Terry in the pilot for the ITV comedy ''[[The Abbey (2007 TV series)|The Abbey]]'', written by [[Morwenna Banks]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Stewart |first=Tony |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/tm_headline=russell-stars-in-sitcom&method=full&objectid=18095225&siteid=94762-name_page.html |title=3am Entertainment Gossip & Celebrity News |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=11 August 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=19 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119035720/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/tm_headline%3Drussell-stars-in-sitcom%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18095225%26siteid%3D94762-name_page.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He voiced an Earth Guardian in ''[[Robbie the Reindeer#Close Encounters of the Herd Kind|Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind]]''. Brand appeared in a small role in the 2006 movie ''[[Penelope (2008 film)|Penelope]]''; although his first major film role was as [[Flash Harry (St Trinian's)|Flash Harry]] in the 2007 film ''[[St Trinian's (film)|St Trinian's]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=A lifetime of acting up |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/a-lifetime-of-acting-up-20080418-gds9y8.html |access-date=30 July 2022 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730105109/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/a-lifetime-of-acting-up-20080418-gds9y8.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

 

 

Brand starred in [[Julie Taymor]]'s 2010 version of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Tempest (2010 film)|The Tempest]]'', as Trinculo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=23388 |title=Shakespeare Gets A Sex Change |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116182125/http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=23388 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Claudia|last=Puig|date=10 December 2010|title=Shakespeare gets lost in 'Tempest'|newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Jeremy|last=McCarter|date=6 December 2010|title=THE ONE.....If You Need to Brush Up on Your Shakespeare|magazine=[[Newsweek]]|volume=156|issue=23)|pages=52–53}}</ref> In 2010, Brand voiced Dr. Nefario in the Universal movie ''[[Despicable Me]]'',<ref name="imdb_despicable">{{cite web|title=Despicable Me (2010)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/|publisher=IMDb|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-date=15 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215012023/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/|url-status=live}}</ref> and reprised the role in the 2013 sequel. Brand also guest starred in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Angry Dad: The Movie]]" as himself. Brand also starred in the April 2011 live action/CGI animated film ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'' with [[James Marsden]], voicing the film's protagonist E.B. ''Hop'' opened at number one at the Friday box office in the US, earning $11.4&nbsp;million.<ref name=HopIMDb>{{cite web|title=Box office: 'Hop' dominates Friday with $11.4 mil|url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni9204849/|publisher=IMDb|access-date=2 April 2011|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410160547/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni9204849/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same month, he played the title character in a [[Arthur (2011 film)|remake]] of ''[[Arthur (1981 film)|Arthur]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/news/russell-brand-s-arthur-has-a-writer |title=Russell Brand's Arthur has a writer |work=[[Total Film]] |date=26 February 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314013723/http://www.totalfilm.com/news/russell-brand-s-arthur-has-a-writer |url-status=live }}</ref> written by [[Peter Baynham]], which was a [[box office bomb|box office disappointment]]. Brand starred as Lonny in a film adaptation of the 1980s-set musical ''[[Rock of Ages (musical)|Rock Of Ages]]'', released in cinemas in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.movieinsider.com/m5509/rock-of-ages/ | title=Rock of Ages | website=Movieinsider.com | access-date=18 December 2014 | date=2 January 2013 | archive-date=18 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218103208/http://www.movieinsider.com/m5509/rock-of-ages/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

===2021–present: conspiracy theory accusations and ''Stay Free''===

[[File:RussBrandRegPark140920EARLY-13 (50345409677).jpg|right|thumb|Brand in September 2020]]

 

Brand's YouTube channel saw significant growth in popularity during this time, amassing 6.5 million subscribers and at least a billion views.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/russell-brand-interview-look-into-my-eyes-and-see-if-you-think-im-telling-you-the-truth/ | title=Russell Brand: 'Look into my eyes and see if you think I'm telling you the truth' | work=The Big Issue | date=28 March 2022 | access-date=22 May 2022 | archive-date=22 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522142129/https://www.bigissue.com/culture/russell-brand-interview-look-into-my-eyes-and-see-if-you-think-im-telling-you-the-truth/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russell Brand - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@RussellBrand/about |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=YouTube |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704182445/https://www.youtube.com/@RussellBrand/about |url-status=live }}</ref> His new weekly views rose from a low of under 500,000 in November 2020 to about 14.5 million in March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube User Analytics / Statistics for Russell Brand (2023-06-05 – 2023-07-04) |work=SocialBlade |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/russellbrand/monthly |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704183654/https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/russellbrand/monthly |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2021, Brand told people attending his tour how they could bypass [[COVID-19]] safety measures.<ref>{{cite web|first=Lexie|last=Cartwright|title=Russell Brand slammed for sharing ways to avoid Covid 19 safety measures|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/russell-brand-slammed-for-sharing-ways-to-avoid-covid-19-safety-measures/5TPHGQADBWBV7U3VWQMK5ZSOHA/|date=17 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021|website=[[New Zealand Herald]] |archive-date=19 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919033922/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/russell-brand-slammed-for-sharing-ways-to-avoid-covid-19-safety-measures/5TPHGQADBWBV7U3VWQMK5ZSOHA/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, YouTube began reviewing some of Brand's videos to see if they violated the site's COVID-19 vaccine policies.<ref>{{cite web|first=Cheyenne|last=Roundtree|date=3 October 2021|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/comedian-russell-brand-has-become-a-powerful-voice-for-anti-vaxxers|title=Comedian Russell Brand Has Become a Powerful Voice for Anti-Vaxxers|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=12 October 2021|archive-date=12 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012165607/https://www.thedailybeast.com/comedian-russell-brand-has-become-a-powerful-voice-for-anti-vaxxers|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Brand reacted to the [[World Health Organization]]'s meetings on the [[International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response|pandemic treaty]], saying "Your democracy is fucking finished" and that the world had "lapsed into a terrible [[technocracy|technocratic]], [[globalism|globalist]] agenda".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=22 May 2022 |title=Global health talks clouded by conspiracy theories about pandemic treaty |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/22/wha-who-pandemic-treaty/ |access-date=5 June 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531133311/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/22/wha-who-pandemic-treaty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Early that year, Brand released a video decrying the media for allegedly ignoring the [[Canada convoy protest]].<ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=American media personalities have jumped onto the convoy story. Here's what that could mean for Canada |url=https://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/10562962-american-media-personalities-have-jumped-onto-the-convoy-story-here-s-what-that-could-mean-for-canada/ |access-date=29 January 2022 |website=OurWindsor.ca |date=28 January 2022 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129032433/https://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/10562962-american-media-personalities-have-jumped-onto-the-convoy-story-here-s-what-that-could-mean-for-canada/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 January 2022 |title=Comedian Russell Brand voices support for Canadian truckers |work=[[National Post]] |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/elon-musk-tweets-in-support-of-canadian-truckers-ahead-of-freedom-rally-protest |access-date=29 January 2022 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918154837/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/elon-musk-tweets-in-support-of-canadian-truckers-ahead-of-freedom-rally-protest |url-status=live }}</ref>

Columnist Charlotte Lytton accused Brand of following [[Joe Rogan]] "down the rabbit hole of online misinformation" by pandering to the [[Anti-vaccine activism|anti-vaccine movement]] and spreading [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|pro-Russian conspiracy theories]] about [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lytton |first1=Charlotte |date=17 March 2022 |title=How Russell Brand became the 'Mad Hatter of conspiracy theories' |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/03/17/russell-brand-became-mad-hatter-conspiracy-theories/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324214711/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/03/17/russell-brand-became-mad-hatter-conspiracy-theories/ |url-status=live }}</ref> for example promoting unfounded claims of [[Ukraine bioweapons conspiracy theory|US bioweapon labs in Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Francesca |date=24 March 2022 |title=Double Check: Is Russell Brand Pushing the Ukraine Biolab Narrative? |url=https://www.logically.ai/articles/is-russell-brand-pushing-the-ukraine-biolab-narrative |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=[[Logically (company)|Logically]] |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709001039/https://www.logically.ai/articles/is-russell-brand-pushing-the-ukraine-biolab-narrative |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Elon Musk]] defended Brand from media criticism on Twitter, saying: "I watched some of his videos. Ironically, he seemed more balanced & insightful than those condemning him! The [[groupthink]] among major media companies is more troubling. There should be more dissent."<ref>{{cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=Elon Musk Defends Russell Brand after Newspaper Calls the Comedian 'Conspiracy Theorist' |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/elon-musk-defends-russell-brand-after-newspaper-calls-the-comedian-conspiracy-theorist-4890902.html |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=[[News18]] |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324214706/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/elon-musk-defends-russell-brand-after-newspaper-calls-the-comedian-conspiracy-theorist-4890902.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When YouTube took down one of his videos in September 2022, citing its policy on medical misinformation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/29/russell-brand-quits-youtube-after-spreading-covid-misinformation-17477681/ |title=Russell Brand quits YouTube after 'spreading Covid misinformation' |work=Metro |date=29 September 2022 |accessdate=4 October 2022 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004092313/https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/29/russell-brand-quits-youtube-after-spreading-covid-misinformation-17477681/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he moved his channel to [[Rumble (website)|Rumble]], where he launched a new daily live show, ''Stay Free with Russell Brand''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Hall |title=Russell Brand says YouTube taking down his video for misinformation 'looks like censorship' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/russell-brand-youtube-taking-video-misinformation-looks-like-censorship |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=[[Fox News]] |date=28 September 2022 |quote=he is moving to Rumble and will be livestreaming from there going forward |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928221829/https://www.foxnews.com/media/russell-brand-youtube-taking-video-misinformation-looks-like-censorship |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Josh |last=Dickey |date=28 September 2022 |title=Russell Brand Jumps to Rumble After YouTube Flags COVID-19 Video 'Mistake' as Misinformation |url=https://www.thewrap.com/russell-brand-rumble-youtube-flag-covid-19-misinformation/ |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=15 October 2022 |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015131415/https://www.thewrap.com/russell-brand-rumble-youtube-flag-covid-19-misinformation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

 

 

 

== Sexual misconduct allegations ==

Brand has been diagnosed with [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD) and [[bipolar disorder]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Anthony |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/russell-brands-got-issues-415385.html |title=Russell Brand's got issues |website=[[The Independent]] |date=10 September 2006 |access-date=17 June 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709152257/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/russell-brands-got-issues-415385.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Fernandes|first=Kasmin|url=http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Things-you-didnt-know-about-Russell-Brand/articleshow/47811458.cms|title=Things you didn't know about Russell Brand|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 June 2015|access-date=15 March 2016|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222055706/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Things-you-didnt-know-about-Russell-Brand/articleshow/47811458.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> He also says he has had [[Bulimia nervosa|bulimia]],<ref name=":4">{{cite news |first=Barbara |last=Ellen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jun/18/broadcasting.arts |title=Interview with Russell Brand |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 June 2006 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=23 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323040829/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jun/18/broadcasting.arts |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[pornography addiction]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/russell-brands-new-role-anti-porn-crusader/24317581/ |title=Russell Brand stars as anti-porn crusader |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=25 September 2016 |first=Maria |last=Puente |date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927150524/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/russell-brands-new-role-anti-porn-crusader/24317581/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and experienced a period of [[self-harm]]ing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3288422/Russell-Brand-controversy-will-only-increase-his-popularity-experts-say.html |title=Russell Brand controversy will only increase his popularity, experts say |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=6 September 2013 |first=Anita |last=Singh |date=31 October 2008 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207124450/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3288422/Russell-Brand-controversy-will-only-increase-his-popularity-experts-say.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Brand has described the concept of fame as "like ashes" in his mouth.<ref name="Cam" />

 

 

In 2011, Brand served as best man at [[Noel Gallagher]]'s wedding to Sara MacDonald.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/248259/noel-gallagher-of-oasis-weds-brother-liam-mia-as-russell-brand-assumes-best-man-duties| title=Noel Gallagher of Oasis Weds! Brother Liam MIA as Russell Brand Assumes Best Man Duties| website=[[E! Online]]|date=20 June 2011| access-date=14 August 2018| archive-date=15 August 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024555/https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/248259/noel-gallagher-of-oasis-weds-brother-liam-mia-as-russell-brand-assumes-best-man-duties| url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2016, Brand has been training in the martial art of [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]] and has earned a purple belt in the discipline.<ref>{{cite web|last=BjjTribes|date=10 October 2021|title=Russell Brand promoted to BJJ Purple Belt|url=https://bjjtribes.com/russell-brand-promoted-to-bjj-purple-belt/|access-date=10 October 2021|website=BjjTribes |archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010182431/https://bjjtribes.com/russell-brand-promoted-to-bjj-purple-belt/|url-status=live}}</ref> He credits the art with improving his life in several ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jitsmagazine.com/russell-brand-explains-5-ways-that-bjj-changed-his-life/|title=Russell Brand Explains 5 Ways That BJJ Changed His Life|date=5 April 2021|access-date=5 April 2021|archive-date=5 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405092109/https://jitsmagazine.com/russell-brand-explains-5-ways-that-bjj-changed-his-life/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of his 2017 wedding, Brand lived near [[Henley-on-Thames]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stars arrive in Remenham for Russell Brand's wedding|url=http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/home/114437/stars-arrive-in-remenham-for-russell-brand-s-wedding.html|access-date=4 September 2020|website=www.henleystandard.co.uk|date=26 August 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006065139/http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/home/114437/stars-arrive-in-remenham-for-russell-brand-s-wedding.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is a lifelong [[West Ham United F.C. supporters|supporter]] of [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brand |first1=Russell |title=Bog-standard banter proved my fan credentials |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/sep/16/sport.comment6 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=12 December 2020 |date=15 September 2006 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115132604/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/sep/16/sport.comment6 |url-status=live }}</ref> Brand is the owner of [[The Crown Inn, Pishill|The Crown Inn]] pub in [[Pishill]], a village near his Henley-on-Thames home.<ref name="TimesSep22">{{cite news|last=Brown|first=David|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-angers-locals-with-youtube-podcast-studio-plan-9cqgk3z89|title=Russell Brand angers locals with YouTube podcast studio plan|date=1 September 2021|work=[[The Times]]|accessdate=19 September 2023|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919002337/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-angers-locals-with-youtube-podcast-studio-plan-9cqgk3z89|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Category:BBC Radio 2 presenters]]

[[Category:British drug policy reform activists]]

[[Category:English male television writers]]

[[Category:Channel 4 presenters]]