Childhood & Early Life
Hugh Grant was born in London to Captain James Murray Grant and Fynvola Susan MacLean, a school teacher. He was raised in a humble environment at Chiswick, west London.
He was an enthusiastic participant in sports and played rugby, soccer and cricket during his school days. In 1979, he enrolled at the New College, Oxford, on scholarship.
He later became a part of the Oxford University Dramatic Society and pursued acting only as a creative outlook. During this time, he starred in the production, ‘Twelfth Night’.
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Career
In 1982, he made his screen debut with the Oxford Film Foundation movie, ‘Privileged’, which was directed by Michael Hoffman. The plot of the film was centred on partygoers at Oxford.
In 1988, he played the role of ‘Lord James D'Ampton’, in the horror film, ‘The Lair of the White Worm’, which was directed and written by Ken Russell. The film received mixed reviews.
In 1991, he starred in the film, ‘Impromptu’, which was filmed entirely in France. The film was directed by James Lapine and received positive reviews from film critics.
In 1994, he starred in the Academy Award nominated blockbuster film, ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, in which he played the role of ‘Charles’. The film was an immense hit.
In 1995, he acted in the Academy Award winning British period drama film, ‘Sense and Sensibility’, which was directed by Ang Lee. The film was critically acclaimed and received many accolades.
In 1999, he starred opposite Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy film ‘Notting Hill’, which was set entirely in London. The film was well received and achieved success at the box office.
In 2001, he played the role of ‘Daniel Cleaver’ in the romantic comedy film, ‘Bridget Jones's Diary’, which was based on the novel of the same name, written by Helen Fielding.
In 2002, he starred in the Academy Award nominated comedy-drama film, ‘About a Boy’, which was based on a novel by Nick Hornby. The film earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
In 2003, he played the role of ‘David’ in the comedy film, ‘Love Actually’, which was directed by Richard Curtis. The film features an ensemble cast, each of whom has a story to tell.
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In 2004, he reprised his role as ‘Daniel Cleaver’ in the film, ‘Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason’ which was sequel to the previously released film ‘Bridget Jones's Diary’.
In 2007, he starred opposite Drew Barrymore in the romantic comedy film, ‘Music and Lyrics’, which was directed by Marc Lawrence. The film got positively reviewed.
In 2009, he played the lead role opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in the romantic comedy film, ‘Did You Hear About the Morgans?’. The film was one of the most successful films of that year.
In 2012, he was seen in the German science fiction film titled, ‘Cloud Atlas’, which was based on a novel by David Mitchell. The film premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.
Major Works
He starred in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, which became one of the highest grossing British films in the history of cinema. It earned a whopping $245.7 million at the box office, worldwide.
In 1999, he starred in the critically acclaimed film ‘Notting Hill’, which was the highest grossing film of that year. The film earned $ 363.88 million at the box office and was ranked 95th on the British Film Institute's ‘list of all-time top 100 films’.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1987, he married actress Elizabeth Hurley and the couple divorced in the year 2000.
He has two children with a Chinese woman named Tinglan Hong.
In 2004, he married writer and campaigner Jemima Khan. The couple divorced in the year 2007.