Russell Brand#Sexual misconduct allegations

Russell Edward Brand was born in Orsett Hospital in Grays, Essex, England. He is the only child of Barbara Elizabeth (née Nichols) and photographer Ronald Henry Brand. Brand's parents separated when he was six months old, and he was raised by his mother.Miranda Sawyer [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/09/russell-brand-sachsgate "Brand on the run"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506122617/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/09/russell-brand-sachsgate |date=6 May 2016 }}, The Observer, 9 November 2008.{{cite news|first=Sean |last=O'Neill|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/russell-brand-im-a-spiritual-gent-with-a-crazed-lust-for-glamour-xbz66fvql5t|title=Russell Brand: I'm a spiritual gent with a crazed lust for glamour|newspaper=The Times|access-date=17 January 2012}}

When Brand was eight, his mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer and then breast cancer one year later. While she underwent treatment, Brand lived with relatives. When he was 14, he developed bulimia nervosa. At age 16, Brand left home because of disagreements with his mother's partner. He then started to use illegal drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, LSD, and ecstasy.{{cite web|first=Sean|last=O'Neill|url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article3074117.ece|title=Relative values: Russell Brand and his mother, Barbara|newspaper=The Times|access-date=17 January 2012|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615170517/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article3074117.ece|url-status=dead}} Brand says he had a "strange relationship" with his father, whom he saw sporadically and who took him to visit prostitutes during a trip to Thailand when Brand was a teenager.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101881014|title=A Comedian's Memoir Of Sex, Drugs And Stand-Up|last=Simon|first=Scott|date=14 March 2009|work=Weekend Edition Saturday|publisher=NPR|access-date=14 July 2009|archive-date=15 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415174020/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101881014|url-status=live}}

He made his theatrical debut at the age of 15 in a school production of Bugsy Malone, and then began work as a film extra. Brand attended Grays School and in 1991, he was accepted to the Italia Conti Academy,{{cite web |url= https://italiacontiplymouth.co.uk/about/alumni/ |title= Italia Conti Plymouth Alumni |work= Italia Conti School for Performing Arts |publisher= Italia Conti Plymouth |date= January 2013 |access-date= October 28, 2023 |archive-date= 28 October 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231028012209/https://italiacontiplymouth.co.uk/about/alumni/ |url-status= live }} and had his first year of tuition funded by Essex County Council. After his first year at Italia Conti Academy, Brand was expelled for illegal drug use and poor attendance.{{cite news|last=Brand|first=Russell|title=Desert Island Discs|publisher=BBC}}{{cite news|last1=Rosseinsky|first1=Katie|title=Russell Brand: A career in comedy defined by darkness and delusions|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/russell-brand-allegations-career-comedy-conspiracy-theories-b2412427.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=16 September 2023|access-date=16 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918154924/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-brand-allegations-comedian-bbc-channel-4-conspiracies-b2413064.html|url-status=live}} Brand has said that he was sexually abused by a tutor.{{cite news |last1=Sawyer |first1=Miranda |title=Russell Brand: 'I was a needy person. I'm less mad now' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/sep/02/russell-brand-needy-person-less-mad-now |access-date=4 June 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 September 2017 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604001641/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/sep/02/russell-brand-needy-person-less-mad-now |url-status=live }}

Brand performed stand-up at the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year final in 2000. Although he finished fourth, his performance attracted the attention of Bound and Gagged Comedy Ltd agent Nigel Klarfeld.{{cite web|url=http://www.agents-uk.com/agents/short_info/682 |title=Bound & Gagged Comedy Ltd |website=Agents-uk.com |access-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106064858/http://www.agents-uk.com/agents/short_info/682 |archive-date=6 January 2010 }} That year, he also made his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut as one-third of the stand-up show Pablo Diablo's Cryptic Triptych, alongside ventriloquist Mark Felgate and Anglo-Iranian comic Shaparak Khorsandi.{{cite news |last=Purdy |first=Jane-Ann |title=Pablo Diabolo |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=23 August 2000 |page=7}}{{cite news |title=Going out, staying in |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=5 September 2002 |page=12}}

In 2004, Brand took his first one-man show, the confessional Better Now, to the Edinburgh Festival, giving an account of his heroin addiction. He returned the following year with Eroticised Humour. He launched his first nationwide tour, Shame, in 2006. Brand drew on embarrassing incidents in his own life and the coverage about him in the tabloid press. The show was released on DVD as Russell Brand: Live. Brand appeared in a sketch and performed stand-up at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball in 2006{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvrpHqRJ9qk |title=Secret Policeman's Ball: Russell Brand 'Reading The Sun' |publisher=Amnesty International |via=YouTube |date=27 January 2012 |access-date=8 February 2015 |archive-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525175127/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvrpHqRJ9qk |url-status=live }} and again at the 2012 edition at Radio City Music Hall.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/mar/05/secret-policemans-ball-review|title=Secret Policeman's Ball – review|work=The Guardian |first=Laura|last=Barton|date=5 March 2012|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208113406/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/mar/05/secret-policemans-ball-review|url-status=live}}

In March 2007, Brand co-hosted an evening of the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs with Noel Fielding. In December 2007, Brand performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as an act in the 2007 Royal Variety Performance. His second nationwide tour, in 2007, was called Russell Brand: Only Joking and released on DVD as Russell Brand: Doin' Life. Brand began performing in the US, and recorded a special for Comedy Central titled Russell Brand in New York, which aired in March 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=4&article=47727 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807164947/http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=4&article=47727 |url-status=dead |archive-date= 7 August 2010 |title=Brand in first US comedy special |website=C21media.net |date=19 February 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 }} Brand began touring the UK, America and Australia from January to {{Nowrap|April 2009}} on a tour called Russell Brand: Scandalous.{{cite web |url=http://www.allgigs.co.uk/search/tourdates/52509/Russell_Brand-1.html |title=Russell Brand 2009 Tour Dates |website=Allgigs.co.uk |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329135625/http://www.allgigs.co.uk/search/tourdates/52509/Russell_Brand-1.html |url-status=live }} In October, a further four dates that were performed in November were added to raise money for Focus 12, the drug charity for which Brand was a patron until it closed.{{cite web |url=http://www.russellbrand.tv/2009/10/last-chance-to-see-the-scandalous-tour/ |title=Last Chance to see the Scandalous Tour |website=Russellbrand.tv |date=9 October 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308030853/http://www.russellbrand.tv/2009/10/last-chance-to-see-the-scandalous-tour/ |archive-date=8 March 2012 |url-status=usurped }}

In 2013, Brand presented and toured his comedy show Messiah Complex, in which he tackled advertising, the laws on drug addiction and the portrayal of his heroes, such as Gandhi, Guevara, Malcolm X and Jesus, and how he is, in comically contrived ways, similar to them.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/oct/09/russell-brand-birmingham-symphony-hall-review|title=Russell Brand: Messiah Complex – review|first=Brian|last=Logan|work=The Guardian |date=9 October 2013|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228081950/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/oct/09/russell-brand-birmingham-symphony-hall-review|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Andy |title=Russell Brand speaks ahead of his Birmingham show |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2018/03/02/im-less-mad-now-says-russell-brand-ahead-of-his-birmingham-show/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |agency=Express & Star |date=2 March 2018 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314173039/https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2018/03/02/im-less-mad-now-says-russell-brand-ahead-of-his-birmingham-show/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2017, Brand announced his new tour Re:Birth, which debuted in April 2017 and was meant to go through November 2018.{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Barry |date=3 November 2017 |title=Russell Brand in Nottingham on his Re:Birth 2017 Tour - review |language=en |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/russell-brand-rebirth-review-flamboyant-719553 |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=3 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103065103/http://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/russell-brand-rebirth-review-flamboyant-719553 |url-status=live }} However, on 30 April 2018, he was forced to cancel the remaining dates after his mother was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident.{{cite news |title=Russell Brand cancels rest of tour following mother's accident |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/russell-brand-cancels-rest-of-tour-following-mothers-accident-36858868.html |access-date=4 December 2018 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=5 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003300/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/russell-brand-cancels-rest-of-tour-following-mothers-accident-36858868.html |url-status=live }} Russell Brand: Re:Birth, which was filmed in London in April 2018, was released as a standup comedy film on Netflix on 4 December 2018.{{Cite news |last=Hodgkin |first=Emily |date=1 March 2023 |title=Russell Brand 'throwing his career off a cliff' posing with Donald Jr. |language=en |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1740830/russell-brand-donald-trump-jr-dxus |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928052248/https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1740830/russell-brand-donald-trump-jr-dxus |url-status=live }}

Over the years, Brand has named Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/04/comedians-portfolio200904?slide=3|title=Laughing Matter: Comedy's New Legends|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=April 2009|access-date=10 March 2009|archive-date=12 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312040109/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/04/comedians-portfolio200904?slide=3|url-status=live}} Peter Cook, Lenny Bruce, Tony Hancock, Jack Kerouac, Stewart Lee,{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.co.uk/features/2183|title=Comedy, controversy and more comedy|first=Ed|last=Kiely|work=Varsity|date=March 2010|access-date=17 August 2010|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928063856/http://www.varsity.co.uk/features/2183|url-status=live}} Tenacious D,{{Cite news | first = David | last = Marchese | title = Q&A: Russell Brand Speaks 'Greek,' Dirty Lyrics & More | date = 24 May 2010 | url = http://spin.com/articles/qa-russell-brand-speaks-greek-dirty-lyrics-more | work = Spin | access-date = 27 May 2010 | archive-date = 27 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527064232/http://www.spin.com/articles/qa-russell-brand-speaks-greek-dirty-lyrics-more | url-status = live }} Eddie Murphy,{{cite web | url = http://www.accesshollywood.com/russell-brand-how-has-eddie-murphy-influenced-him-as-a-comic_video_1423233 | title = Russell Brand: How Has Eddie Murphy Influenced Him As A Comic? | access-date = 26 May 2014 | archive-date = 25 January 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150125081656/http://www.accesshollywood.com/russell-brand-how-has-eddie-murphy-influenced-him-as-a-comic_video_1423233 | url-status = live }} and Monty Python among his comedic influences. In choosing one comedy film among his five favourite movies he picked Monty Python's Life of Brian.{{cite news |title=Russell Brand names his five favourite movies of all time |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/russell-brand-five-favourite-movies/ |access-date=30 July 2022 |website=Far Out Magazine |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730102254/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/russell-brand-five-favourite-movies/ |url-status=live }} In 2009, he appeared in the television documentary, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).{{cite news |title=Monty Python Almost The Truth The Lawyer's Cut |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/monty-python-almost-truth-lawyers-cut-video |access-date=26 August 2019 |agency=British Board of Film Classification |archive-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826162702/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/monty-python-almost-truth-lawyers-cut-video |url-status=dead }}

During a live show at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton in 2008 Brand made a hoax call to police saying he had seen a man responsible for a number of assaults.{{Cite news |last=Badshah |first=Nadeem |date=16 September 2023 |title=Russell Brand: media personality is no stranger to controversy |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/16/russell-brand-media-personality-is-no-stranger-to-controversy |access-date=26 September 2023 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927080830/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/16/russell-brand-media-personality-is-no-stranger-to-controversy |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Harrison |first=Ellie |date=21 September 2023 |title=Russell Brand's prank call to rape helpline in 2008 |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/rape-helpline-prank-call-russell-brand-b2415616.html |access-date=26 September 2023 |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925190103/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/rape-helpline-prank-call-russell-brand-b2415616.html |url-status=live }} He pretended to be a witness to assaults named Sarah. Northamptonshire Police decided not to prosecute and said they would discourage making such calls. The call was condemned by Lynda Yorke of Leicester Rape Crisis Centre, who said: "I don't think that's particularly amusing. It's in very poor taste. The issue of sexual assault is often belittled and such callous behaviour is extremely hurtful to the victims." James Donaghy of The Guardian said it showed "catastrophically poor judgment". Brand apologised for the call.

He has incorporated many of his controversial public acts into his comedic material. In March 2015, a biographical documentary was released called Brand: A Second Coming.

File:Russel Brand figure at Madame Tussauds London.jpg, London]]

Brand's first presenting role came in 2000 as a video journalist on MTV UK: he presented Dancefloor Chart, touring nightclubs in Britain and Ibiza, and hosted the tea-time request show Select.{{cite web |last=Francis |first=Damien |date=25 July 2008 |title=Russell Brand to host Video Music Awards |url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/26/television |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315104651/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/26/television |url-status=live }} Brand was dismissed several days after coming to work dressed as Osama bin Laden the day after the 11 September 2001 attacks and bringing his drug dealer to the MTV studios.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2007/nov/13/biography.drugsandalcohol|title=And then I became a junkie ...|access-date=18 November 2007|last=Brand|first=Russell|date=13 November 2007|newspaper=The Guardian|location=UK|archive-date=16 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216100017/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2007/nov/13/biography.drugsandalcohol|url-status=live}} After leaving MTV, Brand starred in RE:Brand, a documentary and comedy television program that aimed to take a look at cultural taboos. It was conceived, written, and hosted by Brand, with the help of his comic partner on many projects, Matt Morgan. The series was shown on the now-defunct digital satellite channel UK Play in 2002.{{cite web | url=http://www.ovguide.com/tv_season/rebrand-season-1-82361 | title=REBrand season 1 Full Episodes | website=Ovguide.com | access-date=18 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218111709/http://www.ovguide.com/tv_season/rebrand-season-1-82361 | archive-date=18 December 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

In 2004, Brand hosted Big Brother's Eforum on E4, a sister show to Big Brother 5. The show gave celebrity guests and the public the chance to have their say on the goings-on inside the Big Brother house. For Big Brother 6, the show's name changed to Big Brother's Big Mouth. Following Celebrity Big Brother 5, Brand said he would not return to host the Big Brother 8 series of Big Brother's Big Mouth. In a statement, Brand thanked all the producers for "taking the risk of employing an ex-junkie twerp" to front the show. Of his time presenting the show, he said: "The three years I've spent on Big Brother's Big Mouth have been an unprecedented joy".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6526833.stm|title=Brand quits Big Brother spin-off|work=BBC News |date=4 April 2007|access-date=4 April 2007|archive-date=24 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124235916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6526833.stm|url-status=live}} Brand hosted a one-off special called Big Brother According to Russell Brand, in which Brand took a surreal, sideways look at Big Brother through the ages. On 8 January 2008, Brand was the fifth celebrity to "hijack" the Big Brother house, in the E4 show Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bigbrothercelebrityhijack/a83754/russell-brand-speaks-to-the-house.html |title=Russell Brand speaks to the house |work=Digital Spy |location=UK |date=8 January 2008 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=11 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311090134/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bigbrothercelebrityhijack/a83754/russell-brand-speaks-to-the-house.html |url-status=live }}

Brand next returned to MTV in early 2006 as presenter of the chat show, 1 Leicester Square, which had its broadcast time revised to allow for a more adult-oriented theme. Guests included Tom Cruise, Uma Thurman, The Mighty Boosh, and Boy George, and a second series began in September 2006 on MTV. After Big Brother 7 finished, Brand presented a debate show called Russell Brand's Got Issues, on E4. The viewing figures for the first episode were seen as disappointing, being beaten by nearly all of E4's main multi-channel rivals, despite a big publicity and promotional campaign for the show. The poor ratings prompted the network to repackage the show as The Russell Brand Show and move it to Channel 4.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/programming/a39197/primetime-slots-for-comedians-hill-and-brand.html |title=Primetime slots for comedians Hill and Brand |work=Digital Spy |location=UK |first=Joanne |last=Oatts |date=9 November 2006 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=10 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910134907/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a39197/primetime-slots-for-comedians-hill-and-brand.html |url-status=live }} The first episode was broadcast on {{Nowrap|24 November}} on Channel 4,{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6133116.stm | title=Brand and Ross to go head-to-head | work=BBC News | date=9 November 2006 | access-date=9 November 2006 | archive-date=7 February 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207000022/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6133116.stm | url-status=live }} and it ran for five weeks.{{cite web | url=http://www.ovguide.com/tv/the_russell_brand_show.htm | title=Watch The Russell Brand Show | website=Ovguide.com | access-date=18 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218111713/http://www.ovguide.com/tv/the_russell_brand_show.htm | archive-date=18 December 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

Brand hosted the 2007 Brit Awards and presented Oasis with an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award at the event.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6205786.stm Russell Brand to host Brit Awards] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023060226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6205786.stm |date=23 October 2007 }} at BBC News He also hosted one hour of Comic Relief. On 7 July 2007, he presented at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London.{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/live-earth/29428 | title=London Live Earth | website=NME | access-date=18 December 2014 | date=5 July 2007 | archive-date=18 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218095434/http://www.nme.com/news/live-earth/29428 | url-status=live }}

File:Russell Brand and Courtney Love.jpg in Los Angeles, 2008]]

On 12 December 2007, BBC Four aired Russell Brand On the Road, a documentary presented by Brand and Matt Morgan about the writer Jack Kerouac and his novel On the Road. Brand returned to Channel 4 to host Russell Brand's Ponderland, in which he discussed topics like childhood and science through stand-up comedy. The show first aired on 22 October 2007 and continued for the next five nights. A second series began on 30 October 2008. The show ran for 12 episodes over the two series.{{cite web | url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/russell-brands-ponderland/episode-guide/series-1/ | title=Russell Brand's Ponderland | publisher=Channel 4 | access-date=18 December 2014 | archive-date=18 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218100220/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/russell-brands-ponderland/episode-guide/series-1/ | url-status=live }}

Brand was later announced as the host of the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which drew scepticism from the American media, as he was relatively unknown to the American public. Brand's appearance led to controversy for numerous reasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/russell-brand/38433 |title=Russell Brand to host MTV Awards |work=NME |location=UK |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=13 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813130120/http://www.nme.com/news/russell-brand/38433 |url-status=live }} He said the night "marked the launch of a very new Britney Spears era", referring to it as "the resurrection of [Spears]". He also said, "If there was a female Christ, it's Britney".[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7602885.stm BBC – Brand makes controversial comments at MTV awards.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913032154/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7602885.stm |date=13 September 2008 }} BBC.co.uk. 8 September 2008. Brand implored the audience to elect Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and later called then–U.S. President George W. Bush "a retarded cowboy fella", who, in England, "wouldn't be trusted with scissors".{{cite news|first=Veronica|last=Schmidt|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4703539.ece|title=Russell Brand calls George Bush a 'retard' at MTV awards|newspaper=The Times|date=8 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615190444/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4703539.ece |archive-date=15 June 2011 }} He also made several references to the purity rings worn by the Jonas Brothers, but apologised for the comments later in the show.{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|title=Brand apologizes for Jonas Brother's VMA Gag|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a129835/brand-apologises-for-jonas-vmas-gag.html|website=Digital Spy|access-date=8 September 2008|date=8 September 2008|archive-date=9 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909060748/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a129835/brand-apologises-for-jonas-vmas-gag.html|url-status=live}}

His comments at the 2008 MTV VMAs led to Brand receiving death threats from some offended viewers.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand Gets Death Threats for Jokes on MTV|url=http://dalje.com/en-celebrities/russell-brand-gets-death-threats-for-jokes-on-mtv/195162|website=Dalje.com|access-date=22 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509194214/http://dalje.com/en-celebrities/russell-brand-gets-death-threats-for-jokes-on-mtv/195162|archive-date=9 May 2012}} Brand claimed that MTV asked him to host the 2009 awards after the ratings for the 2008 show were 20 per cent higher than the previous year.{{cite web |url=http://snarkerati.com/celebrity-gossip/russell-brand-to-host-2009-mtv-video-music-awards/ |title=Russell Brand to host 2009 MTV Video Music Awards? |website=Snarkerati.com |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314175012/http://snarkerati.com/celebrity-gossip/russell-brand-to-host-2009-mtv-video-music-awards/ |archive-date=14 March 2012 }} Also in 2008, Brand hosted a one-off stand-up comedy show called Comedy Live Presents: Russell Brand and Friends, which was shown on Channel 4 on 25 January 2008. Brand returned to host the 2009 MTV VMAs, on 13 September 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.{{cite web |last=Ditzian |first=Eric |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616196/20090714/story.jhtml |title=Russell Brand Returns To Host 2009 MTV Video Music Awards |website=MTV |date=14 July 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123185121/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616196/russell-brand-host-2009-vmas.jhtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |first=Saskia |last=Smith |url=http://www.mtv.com.au/news/1c57abbd-russell-brand-pashes-perry/ |title=Russell Brand Pashes Perry |website=MTV |date=16 September 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306025911/http://www.mtv.com.au/news/1c57abbd-russell-brand-pashes-perry/ |url-status=dead }} The ratings for the 2009 show were the best since the 2004 VMAs.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mtvs-2009-vmas-pull-nine-million-viewers-best-ratings-since-04-70305/|title=MTV's 2009 VMAs Pull Nine Million Viewers, Best Ratings Since '04|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|date=15 September 2009|access-date=22 August 2010|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827095355/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mtvs-2009-vmas-pull-nine-million-viewers-best-ratings-since-04-70305/|url-status=live}} On 12 February 2011, Brand guest hosted an episode of the hit American sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.{{cite web |last=Ng |first=Philiana |date=1 February 2011 |title=Russell Brand Set to Host 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/russell-brand-set-host-saturday-95169/ |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313154021/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/russell-brand-set-host-saturday-95169/ |url-status=live }} In 2012 he hosted the MTV Movie Awards{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18324827|title=The Hunger Games wins four MTV movie awards|date=4 June 2012|work=BBC News |access-date=5 June 2012|archive-date=5 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605050906/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18324827|url-status=live}} and Brand X with Russell Brand, a late-night talk show on FX that received lukewarm reviews and middling ratings.{{cite web |first=Mary|last=McNamara|date=29 June 2012 |title=Review: Russell Brand may be only one having fun on FX's 'Brand X' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-jun-29-la-et-brand-x-russell-brand-20120629-story.html |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313161432/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-jun-29-la-et-brand-x-russell-brand-20120629-story.html |url-status=live }} The show was cancelled in 2013 after running for two seasons.{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |last2=O'Connell |first2=Mikey |date=6 June 2013 |title=FX Cancels Russell Brand's 'Brand X' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/fx-cancels-russell-brands-brand-564142/ |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313161925/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/fx-cancels-russell-brands-brand-564142/ |url-status=live }}

In 1994, while still a teenager, Brand appeared in episodes of The Bill and the children's adventure series Mud.{{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}}{{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}} In 2002, Brand appeared on the TV shows Cruise of the Gods and White Teeth. In 2005, he played Tommy in the BBC sitcom Blessed, which was written and directed by Ben Elton. Brand auditioned for the part of Super Hans in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show; the role eventually went to Matt King.{{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}} In 2007, Brand appeared in Cold Blood for ITV, playing an ex-con called Ally. Brand played a recovering crack addict named Terry in the pilot for the ITV comedy The Abbey, written by Morwenna Banks.{{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 }} He voiced an Earth Guardian in Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind. Brand appeared in a small role in the 2006 movie Penelope; although his first major film role was as Flash Harry in the 2007 film St Trinian's.{{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 }}

Brand achieved American fame when he starred in the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which he played rock star Aldous Snow, the boyfriend of the title character (played by Kristen Bell). Brand received rave reviews for his performance as Snow, and he revealed the character was changed from an author to a rock star because of his audition.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/how-hollywood-enabled-russell-brand/|title=How Hollywood enabled Russell Brand – by paying him millions to play himself|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 September 2023|last1=Collin|first1=Robbie|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919021649/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/how-hollywood-enabled-russell-brand/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/film/russell_brand/reviews/11447 |title=Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Russell Brand |website=Uncut |access-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127163003/http://www.uncut.co.uk/film/russell_brand/reviews/11447 |archive-date=27 November 2011 }} Brand starred alongside Adam Sandler in the Disney film Bedtime Stories, which was released on 25 December 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/1335/russell-brand-tells-adam-sandler-bedtime-stories |title=Russell Brand Tells Adam Sandler Bedtime Stories |access-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603130510/http://www.reelz.com/movie-news/1335/russell-brand-tells-adam-sandler-bedtime-stories-/ |archive-date=3 June 2012 }} In 2010, he reprised the role of Aldous Snow for a buddy comedy titled Get Him to the Greek, co-starring Jonah Hill,{{cite magazine |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/features/apatow-stoller-speak-greek-1117984458/ |title=Apatow, Stoller speak 'Greek' |magazine=Variety |date=22 April 2008 |access-date=17 January 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811082127/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984458.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |url-status=live }} which also reunited him with Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller and producer Judd Apatow for the film.

Brand starred in Julie Taymor's 2010 version of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, as Trinculo.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=23388 |title=Shakespeare Gets A Sex Change |work=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 }}{{cite news|first=Claudia|last=Puig|date=10 December 2010|title=Shakespeare gets lost in 'Tempest'|newspaper=USA Today}}{{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}} In 2010, Brand voiced Dr. Nefario in the Universal movie Despicable Me,{{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}} and reprised the role in the 2013 sequel and the 2022 film Minions: The Rise of Gru. 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 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 million.{{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}} The same month, he played the title character in a remake of Arthur,{{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 }} written by Peter Baynham, which was a box office disappointment. Brand starred as Lonny in a film adaptation of the 1980s-set musical Rock Of Ages, released in cinemas in June 2012.{{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 }}

After appearing as William Carr in the Diablo Cody film Paradise (2013), Brand went on hiatus from acting. His return role was as the villainous Creek in the DreamWorks animated film Trolls (2016), followed by his portrayal of God in the comedy Army of One (2016) with Nicolas Cage. In 2018 and 2019, he portrayed Sports X Network founder Lance Klians in a recurring arc In the last two seasons of the HBO series Ballers.{{cite web|url= https://www.hbo.com/ballers/cast-and-crew/lance-klians|title= Lance Klians Played by Russell Brand|website= HBO.com|access-date= 16 September 2018|archive-date= 16 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210116021033/https://www.hbo.com/ballers/cast-and-crew/lance-klians|url-status= live}} Brand appeared as Tristan Trent in the 2020 fantasy film Four Kids and It,{{cite web|last=Lowe|first=Justin|date=30 June 2020|title='Four Kids and It': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/four-kids-it-1301168/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225161836/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/four-kids-it-1301168/|url-status=live}} and in 2022 played Linus Windlesham in Kenneth Branagh's remake of Death on the Nile.{{cite web|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|authorlink=Owen Gleiberman|date=7 February 2022|title='Death on the Nile' Review: Gal Gadot Shines, and Kenneth Branagh Ups His Agatha Christie Game|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/death-on-the-nile-review-kenneth-branagh-gal-gadot-armie-hammer-1235170917/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=Variety |archive-date=11 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211081410/https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/death-on-the-nile-review-kenneth-branagh-gal-gadot-armie-hammer-1235170917/|url-status=live}}

Other projects Brand has been tied to include a remake of Drop Dead Fred,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8024301.stm |title=Brand to star in Drop Dead remake |work=BBC News |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501024540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8024301.stm |url-status=live }} an Adam Sandler-produced film about a con man posing as a priest tentatively entitled Bad Father, co-written by Brand and Matt Morgan;{{cite web |url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/bedtime-stories-russell-brand-interview |title=Bedtime Stories – Russell Brand interview |website=Indielondon.co.uk |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325195836/http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/bedtime-stories-russell-brand-interview |url-status=live }} and a film adaptation of the children's television programme Rentaghost, a project that was picked up by Fox Studios in 2011 with Ben Stiller attached.{{cite news |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |url=https://deadline.com/2011/10/fox-buys-rentaghost-and-re-teams-ben-stiller-with-night-at-the-museum-scribes-lennon-and-garant-181930/ |title=Fox Buys 'Rentaghost' And Re-Teams Ben Stiller With 'Night At The Museum' Scribes Lennon And Garant |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=8 February 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208081927/http://deadline.com/2011/10/fox-buys-rentaghost-and-re-teams-ben-stiller-with-night-at-the-museum-scribes-lennon-and-garant-181930/ |url-status=live }}

As of October 2008, Brand's own production company is called Vanity Projects.{{cite news|title=Broadcast rules should have saved BBC|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/29/bbc-russell-brand2|access-date=1 October 2013|work=The Guardian |date=29 October 2008|first=John|last=Plunkett|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230527/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/29/bbc-russell-brand2|url-status=live}} The company's latest production, Russell Brand Doing Life, was released in 2009.{{cite web|title=Vanity Projects|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/organisation/215302?view=credit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412204817/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/organisation/215302?view=credit|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2009|publisher=BFI|access-date=1 October 2013|date=September 2013}}

Brand also established his own production company in 2011 with his friend Nik Linnen. Called 'Branded Films', the company operates from the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California, United States. The company's primary focus is to develop films that Brand stars in.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14473596 |title=Russell Brand sets up production company |work=BBC |location=London |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011 |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810171926/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14473596 |url-status=live }}

File:Russell Brand Arthur Premier.jpg

Brand's radio career began in early 2002, when he hosted a Sunday afternoon show with Matt Morgan on London's Indie Rock station Xfm. Brand was dismissed from the job after reading pornographic material live on-air.{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/galleries/comedy/russell-brand-live.php?ssid=5|title=Russell Brand's Faux Pas XFM Sacking|access-date=28 July 2010|archive-date=5 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805065802/http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/galleries/comedy/russell-brand-live.php?ssid=5|url-status=live}}

In 2005, Brand co-hosted three one-off shows on BBC Radio 6 Music with Karl Pilkington. Brand then co-hosted The Russell Brand Show beginning in {{Nowrap|April 2006}} on BBC Radio 6 Music.

In November 2006, the show transferred to BBC Radio 2 and aired on Saturdays from 9–11 pm. The show regularly drew about 400,000 listeners.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2008/brand_ross_moyles.pdf |title=BBC Trust – Editorial Standards Findings: Russell Brand show, Radio 2, Chris Moyles show, Radio 1, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320055945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2008/brand_ross_moyles.pdf |url-status=live }} The BBC Radio 2 show was available as a podcast.

On 18 October 2008, on his radio show, Brand and Jonathan Ross broadcast the recording of a series of lewd phone messages for then-78-year-old actor Andrew Sachs. This infamously included Ross saying, "He fucked your granddaughter", a reference to Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie, whom Russell had dated. The comments were broadcast on the pre-recorded show.{{cite news |date=29 October 2008 |title=Brand and Ross suspended by BBC |publisher=BBC website |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7696714.stm |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908220523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7696714.stm |archive-date=8 September 2017}} After little initial interest, a media story about the calls by the Daily Mail generated a high number of complaints. Brand resigned from the BBC, while Ross was suspended without pay. The BBC was later fined £150,000 by Britain's broadcast regulator for airing the calls.{{cite news |last=Khan |first=Urmee |date=3 April 2009 |title=BBC fined £150,000 over Brand's prank calls |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5099055/BBC-fined-150000-over-Brands-prank-calls.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408002719/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5099055/BBC-fined-150000-over-Brands-prank-calls.html |archive-date=8 April 2009}} On 21 November 2008, the BBC Trust said that the phone calls were a "deplorable intrusion with no editorial justification".{{cite news |date=21 November 2008 |title='No justification' for Brand show |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7741322.stm |url-status=live |access-date=21 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125104715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7741322.stm |archive-date=25 January 2009}}

Brand returned to radio when he and Noel Gallagher hosted a one-off football talk show on 19 April 2009 for Talksport.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8000785.stm |title=Russell Brand returning to radio |work=BBC News |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=18 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418182608/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8000785.stm |url-status=live }} Brand returned to Talksport on 9 October 2010, with a Saturday night show that lasted 20 weeks. The show featured clips and backstage recordings from his Booky Wook 2 promotional tour.{{Cite news|url=http://www.russellbrand.com/booky-wook-2-tour-announced/|title=Booky Wook 2 Tour announced – Russell Brand|date=10 September 2010|work=Russell Brand|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082449/http://www.russellbrand.com/booky-wook-2-tour-announced/|url-status=live}} Brand was joined by a host of guests, including Noel Gallagher and Jonathan Ross.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a279719/russell-brand-to-host-talksport-show.html |title=Russell Brand to host TalkSport show |website=Digital Spy |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-date=2 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002131156/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a279719/russell-brand-to-host-talksport-show.html |url-status=live }} On 18 March 2013, Brand returned to radio on Xfm with his old co-host, Matt Morgan, for a one-off special in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. They were joined by Noel Gallagher, Noel Fielding and Mr Gee with Trevor Lock and David Icke phoning in as guests.{{cite web |url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/russell-brand-and-noel-gallagher-reunite-for-xfm-shows |title=Russell Brand and Noel Gallagher Reunite For Xfm Shows - Xfm |website=www.xfm.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205060622/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/russell-brand-and-noel-gallagher-reunite-for-xfm-shows |archive-date=2013-02-05}}

Brand announced on 30 March 2017 edition of The Chris Moyles Show he would return to radio, beginning on 2 April 2017 he began hosting the 11{{nbsp}}am{{snd}}1{{nbsp}}pm slot on Sunday with Matt Morgan and Mr Gee.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/mar/30/russell-brand-returns-to-radio-for-first-time-since-andrew-sachs-row|title=Russell Brand returns to live radio for first time since Andrew Sachs row|first=Esther|last=Addley|date=30 March 2017|work=The Guardian }} However, from January 2018 the show was put on semi-permanent hiatus as Brand concentrated on other work. Its slot was initially replaced by Danny Wallace's Important Broadcast.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

On 25 February 2015, Brand launched a twice-weekly podcast called The Russell Brand Podcast through audioBoom. The podcast reunited Brand with his radio presenting team of Matt Morgan and poet Mr Gee.{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/02/22/21898/russells_brand_new_podcast|title=Russell's Brand new podcast|website=Chortle.co.uk|access-date=5 March 2015|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227071531/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/02/22/21898/russells_brand_new_podcast|url-status=live}} The podcast ended after 24 episodes. In 2017, Brand launched a new podcast called Under the Skin with Russell Brand in which he interviewed guests from areas such as academia, popular culture and the arts.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/16/under-the-skin-with-russell-brand-the-revolutionary-returns-as-mr-reasonable|title=Under the Skin With Russell Brand: the revolutionary returns as Mr Reasonable|first=Hannah|last=Verdier|date=16 March 2017|access-date=27 August 2017|work=The Guardian|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903134026/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/16/under-the-skin-with-russell-brand-the-revolutionary-returns-as-mr-reasonable|url-status=live}}

From 2006 until 2009, Brand wrote a column for The Guardian sports section that focused on West Ham United and the England national football team. A collection of the columns from 2006 and 2007 was released in 2007 in his book Irons in the Fire.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Pippa |date=2014-04-02 |title=Russell Brand is working on a series of children's books |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/russell-brand-is-working-on-a-series-of-childrens-books-9232276.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=The Standard |language=en}}

Brand's first autobiography, My Booky Wook, was released on 15 November 2007 and received favourable reviews. Andrew Anthony from The Observer commented that "Russell Brand's gleeful tale of drugs and debauchery in My Booky Wook puts most other celebrity memoirs to shame".{{cite news|last=Anthony|first=Andrew|title=A shot in the arm for Brand awareness|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2007/nov/25/biography.features|work=The Guardian |access-date=24 November 2007|location=London|date=26 November 2007|archive-date=23 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323040855/http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/nov/25/biography.features|url-status=live}}

Brand signed a £1.8 million two-book deal with HarperCollins in June 2008.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/books/russell-brand-to-write-third-autobiography/article1-898919.aspx |title=Russell Brand to write third autobiography |work=Hindustan Times |location=New Delhi, India |date=27 March 2012 |access-date=16 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227173319/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/books/russell-brand-to-write-third-autobiography/article1-898919.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2015 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/lothario-russell-embarks-on-a-brand-new-holiday-romance-6814092.html |title=Lothario Russell embarks on a brand new holiday romance |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |date=23 June 2008 |access-date=16 January 2015 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227191251/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/lothario-russell-embarks-on-a-brand-new-holiday-romance-6814092.html |url-status=live }} The first book, Articles of Faith, examined Brand's philosophy and consisted of a collection of his columns from The Guardian that first appeared there in 2007 and 2008. The book was published on 16 October 2008, and also includes Brand interviewing Noel Gallagher, James Corden, and David Baddiel about football.{{cite web|title=Russell's Brand of philosophy|url=http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Russell-s-Brand-philosophy/story-12646805-detail/story.html|website=Thisistotelessex.co.uk|access-date=23 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505090927/http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Russell-s-Brand-philosophy/story-12646805-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 May 2013}} The second book for HarperCollins, Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal, was Brand's second autobiography and was released on 30 September 2010.{{cite web|title=Books by Russell Brand|url=https://harpercollins.co.uk/collections/books-by-russell-brand|access-date=18 February 2022|website=HarperCollins Publishers UK |archive-date=18 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218161724/https://harpercollins.co.uk/collections/books-by-russell-brand|url-status=live}}

Brand has written articles for The Guardian that offer his perspectives on current events and pop culture, including the deaths of Amy Winehouse and Robin Williams.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand|url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/russellbrand|access-date=18 February 2022|website=The Guardian |archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330100035/https://www.theguardian.com/profile/russellbrand|url-status=live}}

Brand made his children's book debut in November 2014 with Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin. It is the first installment of an intended series, featuring illustrations by Chris Riddell.{{cite news|last1=Alexander|first1=Ella|title=Russell Brand launches children's books: The Pied Piper of women remakes The Pied Piper of Hamelin|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/russell-brand-launches-childrens-books-the-pied-piper-of-women-remakes-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-9232103.html|work=Independent|access-date=12 October 2014|date=2 April 2014|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028193309/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/russell-brand-launches-childrens-books-the-pied-piper-of-women-remakes-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-9232103.html|url-status=live}} In The Guardian, reviewer Lucy Mangan noted: "The on-Brand need to be noticed is there on every page, his unwillingness to get out of the way of the story tripping the reader up at every turn" and adding that Chris Riddell's illustrations "give the book a beauty it does not deserve and a coherence the text does not deliver".{{cite news |last=Mangan |first=Lucy |title=Russell Brand and Neil Gaiman's childhood reinventions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/28/russell-brand-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-neil-gaiman-the-sleeper-and-the-spindle |date=28 November 2014 |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 December 2014 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213022804/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/28/russell-brand-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-neil-gaiman-the-sleeper-and-the-spindle |url-status=live }} Nicholas Tucker, in The Independent, noted the book's "wearingly offensive" language, and commented: "Brand's take on The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the first of a series of riffs on traditional fairy and folk tales. If they are all as bad as this one, British children's books will have hit a new low."{{cite news |last=Tucker |first=Nicholas |title=Trickster Tales. The Pied Piper of Hamelin, by Russell Brand, illustrated by Chris Riddell; book review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/trickster-tales-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-by-russell-brand-illustrated-by-chris-riddell-book-review-9828246.html |date=30 October 2014 |work=Independent |location=London |access-date=12 December 2014 |archive-date=19 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219062825/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/trickster-tales-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-by-russell-brand-illustrated-by-chris-riddell-book-review-9828246.html |url-status=live }}

His book Revolution, in which Brand develops his earlier ideas, was published by Random House in October 2014 and received much publicity. Nick Cohen of The Observer called Brand's writing "atrocious: long-winded, confused and smug; filled with references to books Brand has half read and thinkers he has half understood."{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Cohen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/27/revolution-review-russell-brand-beverly-hills-buddhist|title=Revolution by Russell Brand review – the barmy credo of a Beverly Hills Buddhist|work=The Guardian|date=26 October 2014|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123193705/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/27/revolution-review-russell-brand-beverly-hills-buddhist|url-status=live}} On the other hand, Steve Richards in The Independent commented: "Brand writes and speaks with verve, words flowing effortlessly and musically. The contrast with the tame wooden prose of elected politicians is marked."{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Richards|authorlink=Steve Richards|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/revolution-by-russell-brand--book-review-witty-banalities-aside-the-comedian-has-an-authentic-voice-9810455.html|title=Russell Brand's Revolution – book review: Witty banalities aside, the comic has an authentic voice|newspaper=The Independent|date=October 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905075154/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/revolution-by-russell-brand--book-review-witty-banalities-aside-the-comedian-has-an-authentic-voice-9810455.html |archive-date=5 September 2015 }}

In September 2017, Macmillan published Brand's book Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/17/help-simon-amstell-recovery-freedom-from-addictions-russell-brand-reviews|title=Help by Simon Amstell; Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions by Russell Brand – review|last=Merritt|first=Stephanie|date=17 September 2017|work=The Observer|access-date=8 October 2017|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007175828/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/17/help-simon-amstell-recovery-freedom-from-addictions-russell-brand-reviews|url-status=live}} His book, Mentors: How To Help and Be Helped, was published in January 2019. It deals with the people who have had a positive impact on his life and encourages us to look to others to become better individuals.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46359419|title=Books 2019: Which top fiction picks will you choose?|first=Rebecca|last=Thomas|date=23 December 2018|access-date=8 April 2019|website=Bbc.co.uk|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141223/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46359419|url-status=live}}

In 2024, Brand promoted a "magic amulet" that he claimed protected against "corruption" by "evil energies" and "lethal signals", citing in particular Wi-Fi. Claims that Wi-Fi signals are harmful are not supported by any scientific evidence.{{Cite web |last=Stavrou |first=Athena |date=2024-10-15 |title=Russell Brand selling 'magical amulet' to protect from 'corrupting' wifi |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/russell-brand-magic-amulet-wifi-airestech-tiktok-b2629426.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109004405/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/russell-brand-magic-amulet-wifi-airestech-tiktok-b2629426.html |archive-date=9 November 2024 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

File:Russell Brand street art Hackney.jpg

In January 2009, Brand participated in a celebrity letter to The Independent—as a supporter of the Hoping Foundation—to condemn Israel's assault on Gaza, and the "cruel and massive loss of life of the citizens of Gaza".{{Cite news | title=We demand an end to the carnage in Gaza | work=Independent | date=9 January 2009 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-carnage-in-gaza-1242494.html | location=London | access-date=23 May 2010 | archive-date=28 January 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128060503/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-carnage-in-gaza-1242494.html | url-status=live }} In February 2009, Brand and several other entertainers wrote to The Times in defence of leaders of the Baháʼí Faith, who were on trial in Iran at the time.{{Cite news | title=Stand up for Iran's Baháʼís – Voices from the arts call for the imprisoned Baháʼí leaders in Iran to receive a fair trial | work=The Times | date=26 February 2009 | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article5804284.ece | location=London | access-date=23 May 2010 | archive-date=14 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814134123/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article5804284.ece | url-status=dead }} In April 2009, he attended the 2009 G-20 London summit protests and spoke to the press.{{cite web |last=O'Carroll |first=Isabelle |url=http://www.brandish.tv/2009/04/01/russell-brand-g20-summit-jefferson-hack.html |title=Brandish:Out and About |website=Brandish.tv |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=25 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425074331/http://www.brandish.tv/2009/04/01/russell-brand-g20-summit-jefferson-hack.html |url-status=live }}

Brand was selected by the Dalai Lama to host the Buddhist leader's 2012 youth event in Manchester. The Dalai Lama's representatives explained that Brand was selected because he had proved "the power of spirituality to effect change in his own life", while Brand stated to the BBC after the event: "I said yes because he's the living incarnation of Buddha and I thought, if you're around the Dalai Lama, that can only be good for your spiritual quest through life. He's an amazing diplomat, an incredible activist, a wonderful human being and an inspiration to us all."{{cite news|last=Youngs|first=Ian|title=Russell Brand discusses the Dalai Lama|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18455362|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 June 2012|archive-date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615184433/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18455362|url-status=live}}

In April 2012, Brand testified in front of a parliamentary committee about drug addiction, sharing his experiences and view that drugs should be decriminalised. He said, "I'm not a legal expert. I'm saying that, to a drug addict, the legal aspect is irrelevant. If you need to get drugs, you will. The criminal and legal status, I think, sends the wrong message. Being arrested isn't a lesson, it's just an administrative blip."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russell-brand-testifies-before-a-parliamentary-committee-about-drug-addiction |title=Russell Brand testifies before a parliamentary committee about drug addiction |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CBS News |date=24 April 2012 |access-date=8 February 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208103405/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russell-brand-testifies-before-a-parliamentary-committee-about-drug-addiction/ |url-status=live }} Part of this testimony was included in a BBC Three documentary, Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery, that aired in December 2012. Brand said he felt compelled to make the film after the 2011 death of close friend Amy Winehouse, and he also used the opportunity to question how British society "deals with addicts and addiction".{{cite web|title=Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wq21g|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 December 2014|date=9 March 2013|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315201825/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wq21g|url-status=live}}

File:Russell Brand London Revolution Protest 2 (cropped).jpg

Brand has frequently campaigned for political issues.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24648651|title=Russell Brand: 'I've never voted, never will'|work=BBC News |date=23 October 2013|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-date=10 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210125828/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24648651|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30034120|title=Russell Brand 'worst political celebrity'|work=BBC News |date=13 November 2014|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-date=16 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116094141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30034120|url-status=live}} In June 2013, he appeared in a video in support of Chelsea Manning.{{cite web|date=20 June 2013|title=Celeb video: 'I am Bradley Manning' |first=Patrick |last=Gavin |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/celebrity-bradley-manning-video-93041.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110180932/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/celebrity-bradley-manning-video-93041.html|archive-date=10 January 2014|access-date=30 July 2013|website=Politico}}

On 3 September 2013, in his acceptance speech at the GQ Awards show after receiving the "Oracle" award, Brand mentioned sponsor Hugo Boss's former business making uniforms for the Gestapo. Brand said of the Nazis, "They did look fucking fantastic, let's face it" before he goose stepped across the stage in a comical imitation of the Nazi march. Brand was ejected from the event after GQ editor Dylan Jones confronted Brand, saying that the speech was "very offensive". Brand replied that the Nazis' treatment of the Jewish people was "very offensive".{{cite news|first=Marina|last=Hyde|title=GQ award-winner Charles Moore cracks Russell Brand's 'Nazi' comment|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2013/sep/05/russell-brand-nazi-hugo-boss-charles-moore|access-date=18 December 2014|work=The Guardian|date=5 September 2013|archive-date=18 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218093911/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2013/sep/05/russell-brand-nazi-hugo-boss-charles-moore|url-status=live}}

On 23 October 2013, in an interview by Jeremy Paxman for the BBC's Newsnight, Brand disparaged the British political system as ineffectual and encouraged the British electorate not to vote. Brand said that he has never voted and he never will. Paxman challenged Brand about his call for "revolution" and whether someone who had never voted could edit a political magazine.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk |work=Newsnight |title=Paxman vs Brand – full interview |publisher=BBC |via=YouTube |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024234946/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk |url-status=live }} When Paxman asked what a revolution would look like, Brand replied:

{{blockquote|A socialist egalitarian system based on the massive redistribution of wealth, [with] heavy taxation of corporations ... I think the very concept of profit should be hugely reduced ... I say profit is a filthy word, because wherever there is a profit there is also a deficit.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand With Jeremy Paxman On Newsnight|url=http://www.newlistener.co.uk/home/russell-brand-with-jeremy-paxman-on-newsnight/|year=2013|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809091429/http://www.newlistener.co.uk/home/russell-brand-with-jeremy-paxman-on-newsnight/|archive-date=9 August 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Russell Brand Attacks Capitalism|url=https://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2013/no-1312-december-2013/russell-brand-attacks-capitalism|year=2013|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111191127/https://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2013/no-1312-december-2013/russell-brand-attacks-capitalism/|url-status=live}}}}

Brand guest-edited a special issue of the New Statesman on the theme of revolution, published on 14 October 2013, in which objected to the destruction of Earth through greed and exploitation, and called for a change in consciousness to accompany political and economic measures to achieve a more sustainable future.{{cite web|date=14 October 2013|title=Russell Brand to guest-edit the New Statesman|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/uncategorized/2013/10/russell-brand-guest-edit-new-statesman|access-date=26 February 2022|website=New Statesman |archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226113006/https://www.newstatesman.com/uncategorized/2013/10/russell-brand-guest-edit-new-statesman|url-status=live}}

In November that year Brand joined the Anonymous Million Mask March in London that protested against "cuts, corruption and an increase in state surveillance".{{cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Daisy |date=6 November 2013 |title=Russell Brand joins thousands to protest for Anonymous Million Mask |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/russell-brand-joins-thousands-to-protest-for-anonymous-million-mask-march-8924035.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226124138/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/russell-brand-joins-thousands-to-protest-for-anonymous-million-mask-march-8924035.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=The Independent}}

File:Russell Brand at the Cambridge Union Society.JPG in January 2014]]

In January 2014, Brand was invited by the Cambridge Union Society to participate in an interview.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-14 |title=Russell Brand Uses Anti-Gay Slur During Speech to Cambridge University Students: "Shut Up, You Harry Potter P--fs" |url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/499438/russell-brand-uses-anti-gay-slur-during-speech-to-cambridge-university-students-shut-up-you-harry-potter-p-fs |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=E! Online}} Brand launched his YouTube series The Trews: True News with Russell Brand in 2014.{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Seren |date=2023-09-18 |title=20 years of Russell Brand scandals — from dressing up as Bin Laden to Sachsgate |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/russell-brand-controversies-sachsgate-relationships-timeline-career-tv-t77060n9m |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} The show was halted for nearly a year as he decided to be away from social media to focus on his personal and professional growth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/20/russell-brand-halts-the-trews-facebook-twitter-youtube|title=Russell Brand halts The Trews and takes Facebook and Twitter break|last1=Alemoru|first1=Kemi|date=20 August 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 April 2017|last2=Jackson|first2=Jasper|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613034356/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/20/russell-brand-halts-the-trews-facebook-twitter-youtube|url-status=live}}

File:Russell Brand London Revolution Protest.jpg rally in London, June 2014]]

In June 2014, he took part in the People's Assembly Against Austerity, which attracted an estimated 50,000 people marching from the BBC office to Westminster. Brand addressed the crowd, saying, "The people of this building [the House of Commons] generally speaking do not represent us, they represent their friends in big business. It's time for us to take back our power. Power isn't there, it is here, within us. The revolution that's required isn't a revolution of radical ideas, but the implementation of ideas we already have."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/21/protest-march-austerity-london-russell-brand-peoples-assembly|title=Tens of thousands march in London against coalition's austerity measures|work=The Guardian|first=Kevin|last=Rawlinson|date=21 June 2014|access-date=26 January 2015|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213172355/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/21/protest-march-austerity-london-russell-brand-peoples-assembly|url-status=live}}

File:Russell Brand Fire Brigades Union interview 2.jpg, London in 2014]]

In October 2014, at the time Brand's book Revolution was published, John Lydon (also known as "Johnny Rotten" of the Sex Pistols), in an interview with Polly Toynbee of The Guardian, said that Brand's advocacy of non-voting is "the most idiotic thing I've ever heard".{{cite news |first=Polly |last=Toynbee |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/15/johnny-rotten-lydon-russell-brand-revolution-vote |title=Johnny Rotten and I agree: neither of us wants Russell Brand's 'revolution' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926025542/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/15/johnny-rotten-lydon-russell-brand-revolution-vote |archive-date=26 September 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=15 October 2014}} In a November 2014 YouGov poll, involving a selection of celebrities, Brand was chosen as the one with the most negative influence on political debate (46%). The poll also found that 60% of poll participants disliked him and 28% liked him.{{cite news|last1=Dahlgreen|first1=Will|title=British public revolt against Russell Brand|url=https://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/11/12/public-revolt-russell-brand/|access-date=23 November 2014|publisher=YouGov|date=21 November 2014|archive-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319000936/https://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/11/12/public-revolt-russell-brand/|url-status=live}}

Shortly afterwards, Brand appeared on Newsnight again, but was interviewed by Evan Davis on this occasion. Asked about 9/11 conspiracy theories and whether the attacks were perpetrated by the American government, Brand commented: "[w]e have to remain open-minded to [that] kind of possibility",{{cite news|first=Jenn |last=Selby |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-admits-hes-open-minded-to-911-conspiracy-theories-in-combative-newsnight-interview-with-evan-davis-9815531.html |title=Russell Brand admits he's 'open minded' about 9/11 conspiracy theories in Newsnight interview with Evan Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718093152/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-admits-hes-open-minded-to-911-conspiracy-theories-in-combative-newsnight-interview-with-evan-davis-9815531.html |archive-date=18 July 2015 |work=The Independent |date=24 October 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqsFp0J22Hc&list=UU6o-wWU-v2ClFMwougmK7dA |title='I don't trust politicians & corporations in this country' |first=Russell |last=Brand |work=Newsnight |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410162339/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqsFp0J22Hc&list=UU6o-wWU-v2ClFMwougmK7dA |archive-date=10 April 2016 |via=YouTube |date=24 October 2014 |at=11:24}} although this section of the interview ended with Brand stating that he did not "want to talk about daft conspiracy theories".{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-25/russell-brand-says-newsnight-presenter-evan-davis-is-insidious-and-rude/ |title=Russell Brand says Newsnight presenter Evan Davis is 'insidious and rude' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410162340/http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-25/russell-brand-says-newsnight-presenter-evan-davis-is-insidious-and-rude/ |archive-date=10 April 2016 |work=ITV News |date=25 October 2014}}

File:Russell Brand 2014.jpg, New York City, in October 2014]]

BBC Three commissioned Brand to make a documentary on the global "War on Drugs", which aired on 26 November 2014. The film, titled Russell Brand: End the Drugs War, shows him exploring the policies of other countries in search of a compassionate approach to people who use illicit drugs. Brand said in the documentary, "People think compassion is 'wet liberalism'; it's not, it's pragmatic".{{cite web|title=Russell Brand: End the Drugs War|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ctrgl|work=BBC Three|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 December 2014|date=26 November 2014|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216181801/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ctrgl|url-status=live}}

On 2 December 2014, Brand joined East London residents to protest over the increase in rents at the New Era housing estate.{{cite news|last1=Phipps|first1=Claire|title=New Era estate: Russell Brand joins residents' protest against eviction|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/live/2014/dec/01/new-era-estate-russell-brand-protest-against-eviction-live|access-date=2 December 2014|work=The Guardian|date=1 December 2014|archive-date=4 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204002428/http://www.theguardian.com/society/live/2014/dec/01/new-era-estate-russell-brand-protest-against-eviction-live|url-status=live}} During a protest for the New Era residents, Channel 4 News reporter Paraic O'Brien continually pushed Brand to answer questions about the value of his own property, which is rented. The line of questioning irritated Brand, who ended up calling the reporter a "snide"—the short clip went viral on YouTube.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand on the New Era Estate rent row|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmlZWYvXMUo|website=Channel 4 News |via=YouTube|access-date=12 December 2014|date=1 December 2014|archive-date=7 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207054223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmlZWYvXMUo|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Rickman|first1=Dina|title=Don't ever ask Russell Brand how much his house costs|url=http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/dont-ever-ask-russell-brand-how-much-his-house-costs--xkgX6Tgqdx|access-date=2 December 2014|work=The Independent|date=1 December 2014|archive-date=2 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202003048/http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/dont-ever-ask-russell-brand-how-much-his-house-costs--xkgX6Tgqdx|url-status=live}}

Later that month, on 11 December, Brand appeared on the BBC's Question Time programme, which included the UK Independence Party's leader Nigel Farage as one of the other panellists. Brand called Farage "a pound shop Enoch Powell" on-air,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2014/dec/11/russell-brand-vs-nigel-farage-on-question-time-live|title=Russell Brand vs Nigel Farage on Question Time – as it happened|first=Andrew|last=Sparrow|work=The Guardian |date=12 December 2014|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-date=12 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212012332/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2014/dec/11/russell-brand-vs-nigel-farage-on-question-time-live|url-status=live}} and the two men continued to trade insults after the programme had ended.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30450281|title=Farage and Brand trade post Question Time insults|work=BBC News |date=12 December 2014|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-date=12 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212135007/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30450281|url-status=live}}

In January 2015, during the television show Channel 4's Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, Brand insulted the politician Ed Balls. Balls responded by calling Brand a "pound shop Ben Elton".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/ed-balls-responds-to-russell-brands-clickywristed-snidey-c-comment--and-the-result-is-priceless-9958680.html|title=Ed Balls responds to Russell Brand's 'clicky-wristed snidey c***' comment – and the result is priceless|work=Independent|date=5 January 2015|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925131312/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/ed-balls-responds-to-russell-brands-clickywristed-snidey-c-comment--and-the-result-is-priceless-9958680.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jan/05/russell-brand-pound-shop-ben-elton-ed-balls|title=Russell Brand is a 'pound shop Ben Elton', says Ed Balls|first=Peter|last=Walker|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2015|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808064418/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jan/05/russell-brand-pound-shop-ben-elton-ed-balls|url-status=live}} In March, Brand announced he would use money from his Revolution book to open a café, the Trew Era Cafe on the New Era estate in the London Borough of Hackney, which would employ recovering drug addicts.{{cite news|last1=Ellis-Petersen|first1=Hannah|title=Russell Brand donates Revolution book profits to New Era cafe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/26/russell-brand-donates-profits-book-hackney-cafe|access-date=27 March 2015|work=The Guardian|date=26 March 2015|archive-date=27 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327032900/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/26/russell-brand-donates-profits-book-hackney-cafe|url-status=live}} The café opened on 26 March 2015{{cite news|title=Russell Brand outlines vision for 'new economic enterprise'|url=http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/leisure/national/11882945.Russell_Brand_outlines_vision_for__new_economic_enterprise_/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=Warrington Guardian|agency=Press Association|date=26 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103444/http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/leisure/national/11882945.Russell_Brand_outlines_vision_for__new_economic_enterprise_/|url-status=live}} and in September the following year Brand donated it to the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust.{{Cite news |date=25 September 2016 |title=Russell Brand donates Trew Era cafe to charity |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-37466434 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315132902/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-37466434 |url-status=live }} In March, readers of Prospect magazine voted Brand the fourth-most influential thinker in the world, behind Thomas Piketty, Yanis Varoufakis, and Naomi Klein.{{cite news|title=Russell Brand Voted 4th Most Influential Thinker In The World|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1958316/russell-brand-voted-4th-most-influential-thinker-in-the-world/|access-date=28 March 2015|work=Inquisitr News|date=27 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135400/http://www.inquisitr.com/1958316/russell-brand-voted-4th-most-influential-thinker-in-the-world/|url-status=live}}

The film documentary Brand: A Second Coming, which reflects on Brand's journey into political activism, premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2015.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Nigel M. |date=13 March 2015 |title=SXSW: Ondi Timoner on Why Russell Brand Will Never Be at Peace with the Film She Made About Him |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/03/sxsw-ondi-timoner-on-why-russell-brand-will-never-be-at-peace-with-the-film-she-made-about-him-64159/ |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318111541/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/03/sxsw-ondi-timoner-on-why-russell-brand-will-never-be-at-peace-with-the-film-she-made-about-him-64159/ |url-status=live }} Brand and director Michael Winterbottom worked together to produce a documentary, The Emperor's New Clothes, that had its international premiere on 24 April 2015 at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film features archival footage with appearances by Brand in London and New York City, examining the 2008 financial crisis and global economic inequality. The documentary is produced by Brand's Revolution Films company and distributed by StudioCanal UK.{{cite news|last1=Richford|first1=Rhonda|title=StudioCanal Adds Michael Winterbottom Documentary Ahead of AFM|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/studiocanal-adds-michael-winterbottom-documentary-744116|access-date=28 March 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 October 2014|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402223022/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/studiocanal-adds-michael-winterbottom-documentary-744116|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Hipes|first1=Patrick|title=Tribeca Film Festival Sets Spotlight, Midnight & Special Screening Sidebars|url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/tribeca-film-festival-2015-spotlight-midnight-special-screenings-list-1201386723/|access-date=28 March 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=5 March 2015|archive-date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328085622/http://deadline.com/2015/03/tribeca-film-festival-2015-spotlight-midnight-special-screenings-list-1201386723/|url-status=live}}

On 29 April 2015, eight days ahead of 2015 UK general election, Brand published an interview with Labour leader Ed Miliband on an episode of The Trews.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-21 |title=Ed Miliband regrets Russell Brand interview in 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66878459 |access-date=2025-04-07 |language=en-GB}} Miliband stated that he took part to win over people like Brand who do not vote, although his opponent David Cameron deemed the entire interview a "joke".{{cite news|title=Election 2015: Ed Miliband tells Russell Brand he's 'wrong' on politics|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32515075|access-date=29 April 2015|work=BBC News |date=29 April 2015|archive-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501213625/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32515075|url-status=live}} The following day Brand released an interview with Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Green MP Caroline Lucas, giving his support to Lucas in Brighton advising people there to vote Green.{{cite news|last=Stone |first=Jon|title=Russell Brand drops his anti-voting stance and says people should vote for Caroline Lucas of the Green Party|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-drops-hisantivoting-stance-and-says-people-should-vote-to-reelect-caroline-lucas-of-the-green-party-10216475|access-date=13 June 2015|work=Independent|date=30 April 2015}}

He released additional material from his discussion with Ed Miliband and stating "I think we've got no choice but to take decisive action to end the danger of the Conservative party".{{cite news|author1=De Peyer, Robin|title=Russell Brand reveals unseen Ed Miliband interview footage and urges voters to back Labour|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/russell-brand-reveals-unseen-ed-miliband-interview-footage-and-urges-voters-to-back-labour-10223697|access-date=13 June 2015|work=Evening Standard|date=4 May 2015|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116021058/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/russell-brand-reveals-unseen-ed-miliband-interview-footage-and-urges-voters-to-back-labour-10223697.html|url-status=live}} He dropped his anti-voting position and "declared the importance of voting", backing Labour and telling his fans that "You gotta vote Labour", although he admitted "that he couldn't be sure of the reality of what a Labour government would mean".{{cite news|last=Nianas|first=Helen|title=Russell Brand backs Ed Miliband: 'You gotta vote Labour'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-backs-ed-miliband-you-gotta-vote-labour-10223729|access-date=13 June 2015|work=Independent|date=4 May 2015|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116021036/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-backs-ed-miliband-you-gotta-vote-labour-10223729.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Brand Backtracks On Voting To Back Labour|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1477457/brand-backtracks-on-voting-to-back-labour|access-date=13 June 2015|publisher=Sky News|date=5 May 2015|archive-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614151002/http://news.sky.com/story/1477457/brand-backtracks-on-voting-to-back-labour|url-status=live}} Brand was not registered to vote in the 2015 election. Brand later endorsed Jeremy Corbyn in the 2015 Labour Party leadership election.{{cite news|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/19/russell-brand-backs-jeremy-corbyn-in-labour-leadership-race|title=Russell Brand backs Jeremy Corbyn in Labour leadership race|work=The Guardian |date=19 August 2015|access-date=7 June 2017|archive-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613034357/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/19/russell-brand-backs-jeremy-corbyn-in-labour-leadership-race|url-status=live}}

File:RussBrandRegPark140920EARLY-13 (50345409677).jpg

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brand's YouTube channel underwent an increase in political activity and a rightward change in political direction, and was accused of promoting COVID denial and other conspiracy theories.{{multiref|={{cite magazine|first= Peter|last= Guest|url= https://www.wired.com/story/dark-economics-russell-brand/|title= The Dark Economics of Russell Brand|magazine= Wired|date= September 18, 2023|accessdate= November 4, 2023|archive-date= November 4, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231104093529/https://www.wired.com/story/dark-economics-russell-brand/|url-status= live}}|{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/19/russell-brands-wonderland-the-online-soapbox-where-the-star-pushes-his-free-speech|title= Russell Brand's wonderland: the online soapbox where the star pushes his 'free speech'|newspaper= The Guardian|date= September 19, 2023|accessdate= November 4, 2023|last1= Boffey|first1= Daniel|archive-date= November 4, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231104093529/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/19/russell-brands-wonderland-the-online-soapbox-where-the-star-pushes-his-free-speech|url-status= live}}|{{cite magazine |last=Manavis |first=Sarah |title=Tarnished Brand |magazine=Prospect |publisher=Prospect Publishing Ltd |pages=20–25 |date=July 2023}}|{{Cite news |last=Schraer |first=Rachel |date=September 21, 2023 |title=Russell Brand: How the comedian built his YouTube audience on half-truths |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66842630 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB }}|{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Helen |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Russell Brand's big rebrand: conspiracy guru with 6 million followers |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/russell-brands-big-rebrand-conspiracy-guru-with-6-million-followers-j7r2xrgkh |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=The Times |language=en |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922055919/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brands-big-rebrand-conspiracy-guru-with-6-million-followers-j7r2xrgkh |url-status=live }}|{{Cite web |last=Chilton |first=Louis |date=March 25, 2022 |title=How did Russell Brand go from stand-up stardom to YouTube conspiracy theories? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-b2043777.html |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709001050/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-b2043777.html |url-status=live }}|{{Cite news |last=Deacon |first=Michael |date=September 23, 2023 |title=Liberals are all making the same mistake about Russell Brand |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/23/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-liberals-mistake/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313132044/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/23/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-liberals-mistake/ |url-status=live }}}} According to culture reporter Louis Chilton, his videos are usually "framed with some sort of contrarian take or calling out hypocrisy in the mainstream media", and often hint "at a vague, world-altering conspiracy".{{cite news |last1=Chilton |first1=Louis |title=How did Russell Brand go from stand-up stardom to peddling YouTube conspiracy theories? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-b2043777.html |work=The Independent |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709001050/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-brand-youtube-conspiracy-theories-b2043777.html |url-status=live }} Chilton questioned Brand's motives, suggesting that sceptics might "question why he advertises his stand-up tour just seconds into the start of each clip". In March 2023, Finn McRedmond of The New Statesman, which Brand had guest-edited in 2013, described Brand as having now melded his "trad-socialist values" with "all the suspicions and anxieties of the new American right".{{cite web |last1=McRedmond |first1=Finn |title=We have lost Russell Brand |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2023/03/have-lost-russell-brand |website=The New Statesman |date=7 March 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917213153/https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2023/03/have-lost-russell-brand |url-status=live }}

In September 2021, Brand told people attending his tour how they could bypass COVID-19 safety measures.{{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}} The following month, YouTube began reviewing some of Brand's videos to see if they violated the site's COVID-19 vaccine policies.{{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}} In 2022, Brand reacted to the World Health Organization's meetings on the pandemic treaty, saying "Your democracy is fucking finished" and that the world had "lapsed into a terrible technocratic, globalist agenda".{{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 }} Early that year, Brand released a video decrying the media for allegedly ignoring the Canada convoy protest.{{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 }}{{Cite news |author= |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 }}

Brand promoted unfounded claims of US bioweapon labs in Ukraine.{{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 |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 }} 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."{{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 }} When YouTube took down one of his videos in September 2022, citing its policy on medical misinformation,{{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 }} he moved his channel to Rumble, where he launched a new daily live show, Stay Free with Russell Brand.{{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 }}{{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 }}

On 15 May 2024, Brand performed a comedy set at a campaign event for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for which he was paid around $70,000.{{Cite web |last=Art |first=Pop Culture & |date=2024-06-23 |title=Russell Brand received nearly $70,000 for appearance at RFK Jr. campaign event |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2473329/russell-brand-received-nearly-70000-for-appearance-at-rfk-jr-campaign-event |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623162050/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2473329/russell-brand-received-nearly-70000-for-appearance-at-rfk-jr-campaign-event |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=A Night of Country & Comedy with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nicole Shanahan and Friends - Nashville! |url=https://nashvillelifestyles.com/api/content/6cbcce56-0746-11ef-a990-12242f763253/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Nashville Lifestyles |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Browse Disbursements |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=FEC.gov |language=en |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514123047/https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/ |url-status=live }} In July 2024, he attended the Republican National Convention.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand, Hulk Hogan, Jason Aldean: Celebrities at the RNC in Milwaukee|date=19 July 2024|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/2024-rnc-republican-national-convention-milwaukee/russell-brand-hulk-hogan-jason-aldean-celebrities-at-the-rnc-in-milwaukee/3494769/?amp=1|access-date=20 July 2024|archive-date=20 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720061842/https://www.nbcchicago.com/2024-rnc-republican-national-convention-milwaukee/russell-brand-hulk-hogan-jason-aldean-celebrities-at-the-rnc-in-milwaukee/3494769/?amp=1|url-status=live}} In early August of that year, he officially endorsed Kennedy for president.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/09/rfk-jr-podcaster-endorsements-rogan-brand-pool-00173429|title=RFK Jr. notches endorsements from top podcasters|website=Politico|date=2024-08-09}}

In a 2006 interview, Dannii Minogue said Brand had sexually harassed her after she appeared on his TV show. She described him as "a bit of a vile predator", adding: "I certainly don't think he has cured his sex addiction." She said that Brand "wouldn't take no for an answer" and "throughout the whole interview he kept making shocking remarks that I can't even repeat".{{cite news |last=Minelle |first=Bethany |title=Russell Brand: Dannii Minogue and Katy Perry's past warnings about comedian resurface |url=https://news.sky.com/story/russell-brand-dannii-minogue-and-katy-perrys-past-warnings-about-comedian-resurface-12964271 |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=Sky News |date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919070259/https://news.sky.com/story/russell-brand-dannii-minogue-and-katy-perrys-past-warnings-about-comedian-resurface-12964271 |url-status=live }}

In 2007, on Brand's BBC Radio 2 comedy show, he called former Jim'll Fix It host Jimmy Savile and asked to meet him. Savile answered that that would only happen if Brand brought along his sister if he had one. In response, Brand joked, "I've got a personal assistant [...] and part of her job description is that anyone I demand she greet, meet, massages, she has to do it. She's very attractive, Jimmy."{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Barney |date=18 September 2023 |title=Russell Brand 'offers to take naked assistant to see Jimmy Savile' in resurfaced clip |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/russell-brand-jimmy-savile-interview-b2413397.html |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The Independent |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920122001/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/russell-brand-jimmy-savile-interview-b2413397.html |url-status=live }} When he asked Savile what she should wear, Savile replied he would "prefer her to wear nothing".{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/17/russell-brand-in-plain-sight-review-so-many-red-flags-ignored-for-so-long|title= Russell Brand: In Plain Sight review – so many red flags ignored for so long|website=The Guardian|date= 17 September 2023|accessdate= 17 September 2023|archive-date= 17 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230917110408/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/17/russell-brand-in-plain-sight-review-so-many-red-flags-ignored-for-so-long|url-status= live|last1= Seale|first1= Jack}} The exchange between Brand and Savile was featured in the 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary Russell Brand: In Plain Sight.{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/russell-brand-dispatches-jimmy-savile-b2412999.html|title= Listen: Russell Brand offers 'naked assistant' to meet Jimmy Savile in resurfaced audio|website=The Independent|date= 17 September 2023|accessdate= 29 November 2023|archive-date= 17 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230917213149/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/russell-brand-dispatches-jimmy-savile-b2412999.html|url-status= live}}

From 2006 to 2008 Brand received five complaints while he was a BBC radio host and presenter of both sexual misconduct and unprofessional workplace behaviour.{{cite news |last=McIntosh |first=Steven |last2=Saunders |first2=Emma |date=14 November 2023 |title=Russell Brand: BBC says it received five complaints about presenter |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67345197 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114130357/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67345197 |archive-date=14 November 2023 |accessdate=November 14, 2023 |website=BBC}}

In 2014, former girlfriend Jordan Martin said Brand had committed sexual assault and physical and emotional abuse during their six-month relationship in 2007.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Tom |title=Russell Brand accused of rape sexual assault by four women |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/russell-brand-accused-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-by-four-women/ |website=Far Out Magazine |access-date=20 September 2023 |date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001131635/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/russell-brand-accused-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-by-four-women/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/17/a-timeline-of-sexual-assault-allegations-against-russell-brand |access-date=19 September 2023 |title=A timeline of sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand |first=Jessica |last=Murray |date=17 September 2023 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918230653/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/17/a-timeline-of-sexual-assault-allegations-against-russell-brand |url-status=live }} She accused Brand of assaulting her at the Lowry Hotel in Salford when he became angry after discovering she had spoken to an ex-boyfriend.

While filming a programme with Brand in 2018, Katherine Ryan reportedly made remarks to Brand indicating he was a "sexual predator" that were not broadcast.{{cite web |last1=Chilton |first1=Louis |last2=Lewis |first2=Isobel |date=19 September 2023 |title=Furious' Russell Brand 'left Roast Battle' after Katherine Ryan 'predator' remarks |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/katherine-ryan-about-russell-brand-comedy-roast-b2415598.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203002155/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/katherine-ryan-about-russell-brand-comedy-roast-b2415598.html |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=The Independent}}

She covered these comments on Louis Theroux Interviews (Series 1, Episode 5) which were published in November 2022,{{Citation |last=Barrow |first=Tom |title=Katherine Ryan |date=2022-11-22 |work=Louis Theroux Interviews... |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23571238/?ref_=tt_cst_epp_sm_1 |access-date=2025-04-11 |others=Louis Theroux, Katherine Ryan, Bobby Kootstra}} stating; "...I informed him to his face, that he was a predator", and; "...this person I believe very strongly, so do a lot of people believe very strongly, it is an open secret, is a perpetrator of sexual assault", however still not naming him, remarking; "It is a litigious minefield".{{Cite web |last=Parkel |first=Inga |date=2022-11-22 |title=Katherine Ryan tells Louis Theroux about 'open secret' of alleged sexual abuser |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/katherine-ryan-louis-theroux-alleged-sexual-abuser-b2230923.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Early in 2019, The Sunday Times began inquiries after becoming aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against Brand.{{cite news |title=How The Times and The Sunday Times investigated Russell Brand |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/russell-brand-investigation-sunday-times-video-watch-latest-news-x33ss0kmk |work=The Sunday Times |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919082928/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-investigation-sunday-times-video-watch-latest-news-x33ss0kmk |url-status=live }} In 2022, Channel 4's Dispatches began working with The Sunday Times and The Times to investigate the allegations.{{Cite episode |title=Russell Brand: In Plain Sight |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/russell-brand-in-plain-sight-dispatches |series=Dispatches |series-link=Dispatches (TV programme) |station=Channel 4 |date=16 September 2023 |accessdate=17 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916160741/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/russell-brand-in-plain-sight-dispatches |url-status=live }} On 16 September 2023, following the joint investigation, allegations were published from four women anonymously, accusing Brand of sexual assaults and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.{{Cite web |last1=Alsharif |first1=Mirna |last2=Dobson |first2=Mahalia |last3=Dasrath |first3=and Diana |date=2023-09-16 |title=Russell Brand denies sexual assault allegations |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/russell-brand-denies-sexual-assault-allegations-rcna105412 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212041004/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/russell-brand-denies-sexual-assault-allegations-rcna105412 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Sunday Times |last1=Urwin |first1=Rosamund |last2=Wace |first2=Charlotte |last3=Morgan-Bentley |first3=Paul |title=Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-abuse-allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230916164729/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-abuse-allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |date=16 September 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news |last1=Rawlinson |first1=Kevin |last2=Badshah |first2=Nadeem |date=16 September 2023 |title=Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/16/russell-brand-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-emotional-abuse |access-date=17 September 2023 |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916222918/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/16/russell-brand-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-emotional-abuse |url-status=live }} While Brand was age 31 at the time, the youngest of the women was 16 (the age of consent throughout the UK); she accused him of sexual assault and of grooming her. Most of the women, who The Times said do not know each other, have chosen to remain anonymous in fear of public harassment.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66831593|title= Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assault|work=BBC News |date= 16 September 2023|access-date= 17 September 2023|archive-date= 17 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230917093128/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66831593|url-status= live}} A fifth woman accused him of flashing his genitals at her. The Sunday Times noted that several of the accusers "felt compelled" to speak out "given Brand's newfound prominence as an online wellness influencer".{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-1235548754/|title=BBC Stays Silent On Russell Brand Complaints; Banijay Asked To Probe Claims He Pursued Audience Members For Sex While Hosting 'Big Brother'|date=17 September 2023 |publisher=Deadline|access-date=17 September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917160003/https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-1235548754/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66836556|title=Russell Brand allegations mean entertainment industry has questions to answer - Cleverly|date=17 September 2023 |work=BBC News |access-date=17 September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917110516/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66836556|url-status=live}}

The reports noted that complaints about Brand's behaviour had been made to Lesley Douglas, then controller of BBC Radio 2, in 2007, after Brand allegedly urinated into a bottle "in full view of everyone" in the BBC Radio 2 studio and hurled objects "in fits of rage". Brand allegedly pursued female audience members for sex and exposed himself to a crew member on the shows EFourum and Big Brother's Big Mouth.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-1235548754/|title= BBC Stays Silent On Russell Brand Complaints; Banijay Asked To Probe Claims He Pursued Audience Members For Sex While Hosting 'Big Brother'|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= 17 September 2023|accessdate= 17 September 2023|archive-date= 17 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230917160003/https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-1235548754/|url-status= live}} Production company Endemol and Channel 4 released statements of regret, saying in part: "We are sorry these women did not feel supported and protected while working on these productions and in light of these serious allegations encourage them to contact us in confidence."

Brand responded by denying any criminal wrongdoing, saying his relationships "were absolutely always consensual" while stemming from a period of time when he was "very, very promiscuous". He said that he had been contacted by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 prior to the story's publication and that their reporting contained "a litany" of "astonishing, rather baroque attacks" and "some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute".

On 16 September 2023, Brand performed at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London. Brand told the audience, "I really appreciate your support. I love you. There are obviously some things I absolutely cannot talk about – and I appreciate that you will understand."{{cite web |title=Channel 4 Doc Airs Russell Brand Rape, Sexual Abuse Allegations; Comedian Appears On London Stage |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/dispatches-channel-4-russell-brand-rape-sexual-abuse-allegations-comedian-appears-on-london-stage-1235548661/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916215905/https://deadline.com/2023/09/dispatches-channel-4-russell-brand-rape-sexual-abuse-allegations-comedian-appears-on-london-stage-1235548661/ |archive-date=16 September 2023 |accessdate=17 September 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=16 September 2023 }} On 18 September 2023, all remaining dates on the tour were postponed.{{cite news |title=Russell Brand latest news: Shows postponed as police look into 2003 claim |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-66835997 |access-date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918061249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-66835997 |url-status=live}} Brand was also dropped by his agent Tavistock Wood amid the accusations.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Isobel |title=Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-agent-dropped-tavistock-wood-b2413048.html |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=The Independent |date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917184105/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-agent-dropped-tavistock-wood-b2413048.html |url-status=live}} Wood released a statement, writing in part: "Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him."{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-agent-tavistock-wood-1235548635/|title= Russell Brand's Agent Was Told Three Years Ago Of Allegations He Assaulted A Teenager, But Only Fired Him This Week After Being 'Horribly Misled'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=16 September 2023|accessdate=17 September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917024954/https://deadline.com/2023/09/russell-brand-agent-tavistock-wood-1235548635/|url-status=live}}

YouTube said on 19 September that it had suspended Brand's ability to make money from his account; a spokesperson said, "This decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by Russell Brand."{{Cite web |date=19 September 2023 |title=YouTube suspends Russell Brand from making money off the streaming site after sex assault claims |url=https://apnews.com/article/russell-brand-youtube-sex-assault-ecf7aeecb3b66a02a4f3eb74282dc1c8 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919083642/https://apnews.com/article/russell-brand-youtube-sex-assault-ecf7aeecb3b66a02a4f3eb74282dc1c8 |url-status=live}} The director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, announced an internal review of complaints against Brand during his time working for the organisation.{{Cite news |title=Russell Brand: BBC pledges full transparency in internal review |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66856089 |last1=Youngs |first1=Ian |date=19 September 2023 |agency=BBC News |last2=Glynn |first2=Paul |access-date=19 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920011423/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66856089 |url-status=live}} The BBC had already removed some material featuring Brand from its archive. The CEO of the media platform Rumble, Chris Pavlovski, on 21 September, instead said the company would not "join a cancel culture mob". Pavlovski rejected a House of Commons Media Committee request to join YouTube in removing the monetisation from Brand's channels "based solely on these media accusations"; he also stated that the parliament's request was "extremely disturbing".{{cite news |last1=Youngs |first1=Ian |title=Rumble rejects MP's 'disturbing' letter over Russell Brand income |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66875128 |agency=BBC News |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231218195020/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66875128 |archive-date=18 December 2023 |language=en-GB |date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Somerville |first1=Ewan |title=Rumble rejects MPs' demand to cave in to Russell Brand 'cancel culture mob' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/21/rumble-rejects-dame-caroline-dinenage-demand-russell-brand |website=The Telegraph |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230923214313/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/21/rumble-rejects-dame-caroline-dinenage-demand-russell-brand/ |archive-date=23 September 2023 |language=en-GB |date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Milmo |first1=Dan |last2=Farah |first2=Hibaq |title=Video platform Rumble rejects MPs' call to demonetise Russell Brand |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/21/video-platform-rumble-rejects-mps-call-to-demonetise-russell-brand |website=The Guardian |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230921141415/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/21/video-platform-rumble-rejects-mps-call-to-demonetise-russell-brand |archive-date=21 September 2023 |language=en-GB |date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}}

Television presenter Vanessa Feltz released a clip of her appearance on Brand's TV show in 2006, where he asked if he could "have it off" with her or her daughters, which left her "deeply offended".{{cite web|first=Lucy|last=Leeson|title=Vanessa Feltz shares 'deeply offensive' clip of Russell Brand asking to sleep with her and her daughters|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/russell-brand-sexual-allegations-vanessa-feltz-clip-b2414059.html|date=19 September 2023|access-date=19 September 2023|website=The Independent|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920083822/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/russell-brand-sexual-allegations-vanessa-feltz-clip-b2414059.html|url-status=live}} Lorraine Kelly said she felt uncomfortable during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show after Brand touched her thigh and called her a "slut" in 2007.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Adam |title=Lorraine Kelly left 'uncomfortable' at old clip with Russell Brand |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23802189.lorraine-kelly-left-uncomfortable-old-clip-russell-brand/ |access-date=21 September 2023 |work=The National |date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921180537/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23802189.lorraine-kelly-left-uncomfortable-old-clip-russell-brand/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Dan |title=Lorraine Kelly recalls 'uncomfortable' moment Russell Brand touched her thigh on TV |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/lorraine-kelly-recalls-uncomfortable-moment-30988764 |website=ok.co.uk |date=20 September 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921185122/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/lorraine-kelly-recalls-uncomfortable-moment-30988764 |url-status=live}}

After having encouraged anyone "who believes themself to have been a victim of sexual assault" to come forward, the Metropolitan Police received on 17 September 2023 an allegation of sexual assault against Brand said to have taken place in Soho, London, in 2003.{{cite web |title=Russell Brand news – latest: Police urge 'victims' to come forward after allegations as agent drops comedian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-allegations-dispatches-channel-4-latest-news-b2412805.html?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917213204/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-allegations-dispatches-channel-4-latest-news-b2412805.html?page=3 |archive-date=17 September 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=17 September 2023}}{{cite web|url= https://news.sky.com/story/met-police-investigates-russell-brand-sex-assault-claim-12964410|title= Met Police receives Russell Brand sex assault claim dating back to 2003|website= Sky News|accessdate= 18 September 2023|archive-date= 18 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230918154104/https://news.sky.com/story/met-police-investigates-russell-brand-sex-assault-claim-12964410|url-status= live}} The alleged incident predates the period of alleged incidents covered in The Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigations.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-66835997|title= Met Police refers to 2003 allegation, a different year from those so far reported|website=BBC News |date= 17 September 2023|accessdate= 18 September 2023|archive-date= 18 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230918061249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-66835997|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=https://time.com/6315326/u-k-police-urged-to-investigate-sex-assault-allegations-against-russell-brand/|title=U.K. Police Urged to Investigate Russell Brand Allegations|date=18 September 2023 |magazine=Time|access-date=18 September 2023|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918155341/https://time.com/6315326/u-k-police-urged-to-investigate-sex-assault-allegations-against-russell-brand/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Kat|last=Tenbarge|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|date=19 September 2023|website=NBC News|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919051405/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/russell-brand-sexual-assault-allegations-conspiracy-theory-media-rcna105678|url-status=live}} On 19 November 2023, Brand was questioned by police in connection with alleged sexual assaults.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/nov/19/russell-brand-metropolitan-police-interview-allegations-london|title=Russell Brand interviewed by police over sexual offence allegations|work=The Guardian |date=19 November 2023|last1=Booth|first1=Robert|access-date=20 November 2023|archive-date=20 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120082442/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/nov/19/russell-brand-metropolitan-police-interview-allegations-london|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67469301|title=Russell Brand quizzed by Met Police over sex offence allegations|date=19 November 2023|publisher=BBC News |access-date=20 November 2023|archive-date=20 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120082443/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67469301|url-status=live}}

On 21 September 2023, a woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her at the BBC's Los Angeles office in 2008, and then laughing about it minutes later on his BBC Radio 2 show.{{multiref|1={{cite news |title=Russell Brand: Woman says star exposed himself to her then laughed about it on Radio 2 show |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66882644 |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921170329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66882644 |url-status=live }}|2={{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|access-date=23 September 2023|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}}|3={{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-say-investigating-sex-assault-claims-following-russell-brand-reports-2023-09-25/|title=UK police investigate sex assault allegations following Russell Brand reports|work=Reuters|date=25 September 2023|access-date=26 September 2023|archive-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926041331/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-say-investigating-sex-assault-claims-following-russell-brand-reports-2023-09-25/|url-status=live}}|4={{cite web|first=Scott|last=Roxborough|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/russell-brand-allegations-uk-independent-body-bullying-creative-industries-1235603657/|title=In Wake of Russell Brand Allegations, U.K. to Introduce Independent Body to Address Bullying and Harassment in Creative Industries|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=29 September 2023|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=29 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929081857/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/russell-brand-allegations-uk-independent-body-bullying-creative-industries-1235603657/|url-status=live}}|5={{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/russell-brand-thames-valley-police-investigation-opened-1235561441/|title=Second UK Police Force Investigating Russell Brand|date=2 October 2023|publisher=Deadline|access-date=2 October 2023|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002121217/https://deadline.com/2023/10/russell-brand-thames-valley-police-investigation-opened-1235561441/|url-status=live}}}}

In November 2023, a woman accused Brand of exposing himself and later trapping and assaulting her in a bathroom during the production in 2010 of the comedy film Arthur (2011). She was an extra on the film and brought forth a lawsuit against him and Warner Bros.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67318813|title= Russell Brand: Woman accuses comedian of sexual assault on film set|website=BBC News |date= 4 November 2023|accessdate= November 4, 2023|archive-date= 4 November 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231104091522/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67318813|url-status= live}} On 3 November 2023, the lawsuit was filed against Brand under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which allowed victims of sexual offences for which the statute of limitations had lapsed a period of one year to file a suit. Warner Bros. and others involved in Arthur{{'}}s production were also named as defendants for neglecting, aiding and abetting misconduct by Brand on the film set.{{Cite news |last=Gorman |first=Steve |date=2023-11-04 |title=British performer Russell Brand accused of sexual assault in New York lawsuit |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/british-performer-russell-brand-accused-sexual-assault-new-york-lawsuit-2023-11-03/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106111947/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/british-performer-russell-brand-accused-sexual-assault-new-york-lawsuit-2023-11-03/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-sexual-assault-allegations-1235790215/|title=Russell Brand Allegations: BBC Received Five Complaints About Comedian's Behavior During Time at Broadcaster|date=14 November 2023|publisher=Variety|access-date=14 November 2023|archive-date=14 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114145413/https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/russell-brand-bbc-complaints-sexual-assault-allegations-1235790215/|url-status=live}}

In November 2024 detectives investigating allegations of offences between 2006 and 2013 sent the Crown Prosecution Service a file of evidence so the prosecutors could consider bringing charges against him.{{Cite news |title=Police ask prosecutors to consider charging Russell Brand over sex assault claims |last=Cooney |first=Christy |date=2024-11-02 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/nov/02/police-ask-prosecutors-to-consider-charging-russell-brand-over-sex-assault-claims |access-date=2024-11-03 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite news |title=Police send Brand file to CPS to consider charges |last=Smith |first=Alex |date=2024-11-02 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwrzd5259yo |access-date=2024-11-03 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=2 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102213257/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwrzd5259yo |url-status=live }}

On 6 February 2025, Brand was sued for sexual abuse at the High Court of Justice in London.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-02-14 |title=Actor-comedian Russell Brand sued in UK over alleged sexual abuse |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/actor-comedian-russell-brand-sued-uk-over-alleged-sexual-abuse-2025-02-11/ |access-date= }}

On 4 April 2025, Brand was charged by Metropolitan Police with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-04 |title=Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0457d02e9go |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/russell-brand-charged-rape-sexual-assault-1236181687/|title=Russell Brand Charged With Rape and Sexual Assault, Met Police Confirms|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=April 4, 2025|author=Lily Ford|access-date=April 4, 2025}} The charges related to alleged offences against four women, with the incidents alleged to have occurred in Westminster and Bournemouth between 1999 and 2005.{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2025 |title=Actor-comedian Russell Brand charged with rape in the U.K. |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/russell-brand-sexual-assault-1.7501935 |work=The Associated Press}} Brand posted a video denying the charges, saying "I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that."

Also on 4 April, following the charges, an additional three women reported to the Metropolitan Police that Brand had sexually assaulted and abused them.{{cite news |title=Three more women report Russell Brand allegations to police |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/three-more-women-report-russell-brand-allegations-to-police-m6g3ksq20 |work=The Times |date=14 April 2025 }}

On 7 April 2025, news outlets reported Brand to be the subject (among others) of the previously mentioned civil action case filed in New York state, accusing him of sexual assault whilst intoxicated, whilst filming Arthur. The Independent states the plaintiff alleged Brand "exposed his genitalia to her and followed her to a bathroom while intoxicated on set and assaulted her". As the two legal actions have been filed separately, concerns have been raised they may prejudice each other. Whilst a delay request by Brand's legal team was rejected, the deadline to submit his deposition for the US lawsuit has been extended to 30 October 2025. Brand denied the allegation, claiming he had been sober for "approximately eight years" at the time of the incident. Warner Bros. was also named on the lawsuit, accused of negligence.{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Poppy |date=2025-04-06 |title=Russell Brand fears he could be prosecuted in US |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/06/russell-brand-fears-prosecuted-us-sexual-assault/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

On 2 May 2025, Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for his first hearing, during which he was granted bail. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address, and to confirm he understood his bail conditions. Outside of court he continues to refute the charges.{{Cite web |title=Russell Brand Says 'He's Lit Up by the Holy Spirit' After Being Granted Bail in Upcoming Rape and Sexual Assault Trial |url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/russell-brand-says-hes-lit-up-by-the-holy-spirit-after-being-granted-bail-in-upcoming-rape-and-sexual-assault-trial/ar-AA1EHUV0 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=OK Magazine, via MSN}} The case was referred to the Old Bailey, with the next hearing set for 30 May 2025.{{Cite web |title=Comedian and actor Russell Brand bailed after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault |url=https://news.sky.com/story/comedian-and-actor-russell-brand-arrives-at-westminster-magistrates-court-after-being-charged-with-rape-and-sexual-assault-13359696 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Sky News |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault Charges in London |url=https://people.com/russell-brand-pleads-not-guilty-to-rape-sexual-assault-charges-11745117 |website=People.com |access-date=30 May 2025 |language=en}} On that date, he entered a plea of not guilty with a trial scheduled to begin on 3 June 2026.{{cite web | last=Youngs | first=Ian | last2=Wilkinson | first2=Helena | title=Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and assault | website=BBC News | date=30 May 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgvknwxjdqo | access-date=31 May 2025}}

In the days following his charges, Brand was 'indefinitely' suspended from his role as an ambassador for the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital charity{{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=Russell Brand suspended from charity after rape and sex crime charges |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/07/russell-brand-suspended-charity-charged-rape-sex-crimes-22863866/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Metro |language=en}} and dropped as a celebrity spokesperson for the American Catholic meditation and prayer app Hallow.{{cite news|url=https://thecatholicherald.com/hallow-prayer-app-cuts-ties-with-russell-brand-after-police-charges/|title=Hallow prayer app cuts ties with Russell Brand after police charges|date=9 April 2025|work=Catholic Herald|accessdate=24 April 2024}}

Brand has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder.{{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 }}{{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}} He also says he has had bulimia{{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 }} and pornography addiction,{{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 }} and experienced a period of self-harming.{{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 }}

Brand used to be a Buddhist; speaking to The Guardian in 2017 he said he believed in a Higher Power as described by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Brand showed interest in the Hare Krishna movement and wrote in a 2007 Guardian column: "I say Hare Krishna as often as possible, sometimes even when I'm not being filmed".{{cite news|title=Has Russell Brand turned to Hare Krishna?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/30/russell-brand-celebrity|access-date=8 April 2014|work=The Guardian|date=30 October 2008|first=Patrick|last=Barkham|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408221655/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/30/russell-brand-celebrity|url-status=live}} He later gravitated towards Christian spirituality and practice by daily reciting the Lord's Prayer and attempting to have Christ consciousness.{{cite web |url=https://relevantmagazine.com/feature/the-second-coming-of-russell-brand/ |title=The Second Coming of Russell Brand |work=Relevant |date=8 October 2017 |last=Carey |first=Jesse |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106231059/https://relevantmagazine.com/feature/the-second-coming-of-russell-brand/ |url-status=live }} Brand became a Christian and was water baptised by Bear Grylls on April 28, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-15 |title=Bear Grylls 'to stand down as chief scout' after he baptised Russell Brand in Thames |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/bear-grylls-stand-down-chief-145314979.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-AU |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618061422/https://au.news.yahoo.com/bear-grylls-stand-down-chief-145314979.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Spencer-Elliott |first=Lydia |date=2024-05-08 |title=Bear Grylls helped to baptise Russell Brand in the River Thames |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-bear-grylls-baptism-b2540954.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616012105/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/russell-brand-bear-grylls-baptism-b2540954.html |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Brand served as best man at Noel Gallagher's wedding to Sara MacDonald.{{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}} Since 2016, Brand has been training in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has earned a purple belt in the discipline.{{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}} He credits the art with improving his life in several ways.{{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}} At the time of his 2017 wedding, Brand lived near Henley-on-Thames.{{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}} Brand is the owner of The Crown Inn pub in Pishill, a village near his Henley-on-Thames home.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=David|url=https://www.thetimes.com/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|access-date=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}}

Brand first met American singer Katy Perry in mid-2009 when she filmed a cameo for his film Get Him to the Greek, although the cameo was cut from the film.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640830/katy-perry-explains-why-was-cut-from-get-him-greek.jhtml|title=Katy Perry Explains Why She Was Cut From 'Get Him To The Greek'|website=MTV|date=5 June 2010|access-date=18 February 2012|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218111627/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640830/katy-perry-explains-why-was-cut-from-get-him-greek.jhtml|url-status=dead}} They began dating after meeting again at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September.{{cite web |last=Ziegbe |first=Mawuse |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647232/20100904/perry_katy.jhtml |title=Katy Perry, Russell Brand's Love Story Began At The VMAs – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |website=MTV |date=4 September 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-date=26 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426124310/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647232/katy-perry-russell-brands-love-story-began-at-vmas.jhtml |url-status=dead }} The two became engaged on New Year's Eve 2009 during a holiday in India{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629147/20100106/id_1962774.jhtml|title=Katy Perry And Russell Brand: A Timeline Of Their Love|date=6 January 2010|publisher=MTV|access-date=1 September 2010|archive-date=20 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920034313/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629147/20100106/id_1962774.jhtml|url-status=dead}} and married there on 23 October 2010 in a Hindu ceremony near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan.{{cite news |first=Prithwish |last=Ganguly |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Katy-affirms-Brand-loyalty/articleshow/6808817.cms |title=Katy affirms Brand loyalty |work=The Times of India |date=26 October 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-date=28 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028185902/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Katy-affirms-Brand-loyalty/articleshow/6808817.cms |url-status=live }}

On 30 December 2011, Brand filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences,{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Sarah Anne|title=Russell Brand and Katy Perry are getting a divorce|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/russell-brand-and-katy-perry-are-getting-a-divorce/2011/12/30/gIQAfnJvQP_blog.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=30 December 2011|date=31 December 2011|archive-date=31 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231014349/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/russell-brand-and-katy-perry-are-getting-a-divorce/2011/12/30/gIQAfnJvQP_blog.html|url-status=live}} and their divorce was finalised in July 2012.{{cite news | url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/katy-perry-and-russell-brand-divorce-finalized-im-happy-again-says-perry-78329/ | title=Katy Perry and Russell Brand Divorce Finalized: I'm 'Happy Again,' Says Perry | work=The Christian Post | date=16 July 2012 | access-date=16 January 2014 | author=Koonse, Emma | archive-date=3 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103120158/http://www.christianpost.com/news/katy-perry-and-russell-brand-divorce-finalized-im-happy-again-says-perry-78329/ | url-status=live }} Perry's July 2012 autobiographical documentary, Katy Perry: Part of Me, showed the couple having conflicting career schedules and Perry not feeling ready to have children.{{cite AV media|people=Cutforth, Dan; Lipsitz, Jane (directors);Perry, Katy (autobiographer)|date=5 July 2012|title=Katy Perry: Part of Me|medium=Motion picture|location=United States; filmed in studios:Insurge Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Perry Productions et la.|work=Paramount Pictures}} Perry later said in an interview that Brand did not like the idea of her "being the boss" of things, and that the last time she had heard from him was on 31 December 2011, when he text-messaged that he was divorcing her.{{cite magazine|last=Woods|first=Vicki|title=Katy Perry's First Vogue Cover|url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/beauty-and-the-beat-katy-perrys-first-vogue-cover/#1|magazine=Vogue|date=June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726121649/http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/beauty-and-the-beat-katy-perrys-first-vogue-cover/#1|archive-date=26 July 2013}}

Days after his divorce was finalised, Brand said in an interview with Howard Stern that he was extremely in love with Perry, but after marrying her realised "this isn't really working out ... I was really, really in love with her, but it was difficult to see each other ... it mostly didn't work for practical reasons".{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1689887/russell-brand-katy-perry-divorce-howard-stern |title=Russell Brand Opens Up About Katy Perry Divorce |publisher=MTV |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=26 January 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208103257/http://www.mtv.com/news/1689887/russell-brand-katy-perry-divorce-howard-stern/ |url-status=dead }} While Stern pressed for details, Brand declined, saying: "I don't want anything to hurt her. She's younger than me, she's a young woman and she's beautiful and she's sensitive and I care about her deeply." Brand, who married Perry without a prenuptial agreement, was eligible to claim half of the estimated $44 million she earned during their marriage but declined.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/russell-brand-says-no-to-katy-perrys-fortune-in-amicable-divorce/story-fn907478-1226266542490|title=Russell Brand says no to Katy Perry's $44 million fortune in 'amicable' divorce|website=News.com.au|date=9 February 2012|access-date=26 January 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208015014/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/russell-brand-says-no-to-katy-perrys-fortune-in-amicable-divorce/story-fn907478-1226266542490|url-status=live}}

In 2012, he briefly dated singer Geri Halliwell.{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/br/news/343368/russell-brand-termina-com-geri-halliwell|title=Russell Brand termina com Geri Halliwell|date=5 September 2012|publisher=E!|access-date=3 March 2023|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424014243/https://www.eonline.com/br/news/343368/russell-brand-termina-com-geri-halliwell|url-status=live}} From 2013 to 2014, Brand was in a relationship with Jemima Goldsmith (formerly known as Jemima Khan), a daughter of financier James Goldsmith.{{cite news|title=Russell Brand IS dating Jemima Khan|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10313310/Russell-Brand-IS-dating-Jemima-Khan.html|access-date=8 April 2014|work=The Telegraph|date=16 September 2013|first=Rhiannon|last=Williams|location=London|archive-date=15 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515000952/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10313310/Russell-Brand-IS-dating-Jemima-Khan.html|url-status=live}} After The Sun printed a story in November 2013 alleging that he had been unfaithful to Khan, Brand received unspecified libel damages from the paper in May 2014 which he said he would donate to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27325587 |title=Russell Brand accepts damages from Sun on Sunday |publisher=BBC News |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=8 May 2014 |archive-date=8 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508220033/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27325587 |url-status=live }} Brand and Khan ended their relationship in September 2014.[https://archive.today/20141029091943/http://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/its-over-russell-brand-and-jemima-khan-split-30603157.html "It's over: Russell Brand and Jemima Khan split"], The Independent (Eire), 21 September 2014Eizabeth Beynon [https://web.archive.org/web/20141029114408/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/People/article1462150.ece "No Khan do: Jemima and Russell Brand 'split after a year'"], The Sunday Times, 21 September 2014

In the October 2014 issue of Vanity Fair, Brand said of the allegations of misogyny made against him: {{blockquote|I have lived a life and had a frame of cultural references that make that charge quite legitimate... But as a person who's trying to live a decent, spiritual life, misogyny is not part of my current palette of behaviors... In a way, redemption is a great part of my narrative. I'm talking about disavowing previous lives, previous beliefs, previous behaviours.{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/10/russell-brand-interview-revolution |title=Russell Brand, Seriously |first=David |last=Kamp |work=Vanity Fair |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121033036/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/10/russell-brand-interview-revolution |url-status=live }}}}

Since 2015, Brand has been in a relationship with Scottish blogger and former restaurateur Laura Gallacher, the sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Bernard Gallacher. Brand and Gallacher first dated in 2007, when Gallacher was 19 and Brand was 30.{{cite news|title=Who is Russell Brand's wife Laura Gallacher? Inside marriage with kids and baby on way|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/who-russell-brands-wife-laura-30955222|access-date=18 September 2023|work=Mirror|date=September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917213151/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/who-russell-brands-wife-laura-30955222|url-status=live}} Their first daughter was born in November 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/807573/russell-brand-is-a-dad-actor-s-fiancee-laura-gallacher-gives-birth|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195741/http://www.eonline.com/news/807573/russell-brand-is-a-dad-actor-s-fiancee-laura-gallacher-gives-birth|url-status=live|title=Russell Brand Is a Dad: Actor's Fiancée Laura Gallacher Gives Birth|date=7 November 2016|archivedate=8 November 2016|website=E! Online}} Brand married Gallacher in Henley-on-Thames on 26 August 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41067475|title=Russell Brand marries partner Laura Gallacher|date=27 August 2017|access-date=27 August 2017|website=Bbc.co.uk|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827132907/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41067475|url-status=live}} In July 2018, Brand and Gallacher had a second daughter.{{cite web| url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/russell-brand-becomes-dad-second-12960859| title=Russell Brand 'becomes a dad for the second time'| website=Daily Mirror| date=21 July 2018| access-date=5 September 2018| archive-date=6 September 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052451/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/russell-brand-becomes-dad-second-12960859| url-status=live}} Brand confirmed in January 2024 that their son was born in 2023.{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Barton|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/31/russell-brand-tucker-carlson-allegations-hurtful/|title=Russell Brand describes rape claims as 'painful, hurtful attack' in Tucker Carlson interview|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 January 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216170832/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/31/russell-brand-tucker-carlson-allegations-hurtful/|url-status=live}}

File:RussBrandRegPark140920EARLY-10 (50345251591).jpg, London, September 2020]]

On 16 September 2010, Brand was arrested on suspected battery charges after he allegedly attacked a paparazzo who blocked his and then-fiancée Katy Perry's way to catch a flight at Los Angeles International Airport.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100153641&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=hollywood&nid=53018 |title=Russell Brand arrested after scuffle with paparazzi |agency=Press Trust of India |website=NDTV Movies |date=18 September 2010 |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917004843/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100153641&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=hollywood&nid=53018 |archive-date=17 September 2012 }} The paparazzo placed Brand under citizen's arrest until the police arrived and he was released from custody the next day after posting US$20,000 bail.{{cite news|title=Russell Brand arrested after airport altercation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/russell-brand-arrested-after-airport-altercation-2082892.html|access-date=8 April 2014|work=The Independent|date=18 September 2010|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213720/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/russell-brand-arrested-after-airport-altercation-2082892.html|url-status=live}}

On 15 March 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for Brand in New Orleans because of allegations that he had thrown a photographer's mobile phone through a window. The paparazzo was taking pictures of Brand with an iPhone when Brand wrestled the device from his hands and tossed it at a law firm's window. The warrant cited "simple criminal damage to property", leading Brand, who offered to pay for the replacement of the window, to voluntarily appear at a police station. Brand was filming a movie in New Orleans at the time of the incident.{{cite news|title=Russell Brand arrested for damage done in iPhone snatch-and-hurl|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2012/03/russell-brand-arrested-paparazzi-iphone-new-orleans.html|access-date=13 December 2013|work=Los Angeles Times|date=15 March 2012|first=Christie|last=D'Zurilla|archive-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123113038/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2012/03/russell-brand-arrested-paparazzi-iphone-new-orleans.html|url-status=live}}

The media published articles on Brand during his drug-using period, typically in relation to incidents, and his public profile has since been associated with this era. Drug-related issues led to Brand's arrest on 12 occasions. Brand was ejected from The Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh and following a subsequent show in the city in 2004, a reviewer stated that "you'd rather hug him than hit him", as he had embraced recovery by this point. Following the cessation of his use, Brand revealed through his stand-up performances that he introduced his drug dealer to Kylie Minogue during his time at MTV{{cite web|last=Brand|first=Russell|title=Russell Brand on Heroin|url=http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/books/features/4329/russell-brand-on-heroin|work=Time Out Sydney|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181622/http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/books/features/4329/russell-brand-on-heroin|archive-date=14 July 2014}} and said he had performed manual sex on a male stranger in a public toilet for a television programme, adding: "I must say, it wasn't for me. I didn't really enjoy it. My tendencies and inclinations towards women are very, very powerful. I like them very much. It's just a biological urge."{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/russell-brand-did-what-in-a-public-bathroom-when-he-was-a-crack-and-heroin-addict/|title=Russell Brand Did What In A Public Bathroom When He Was A Crack And Heroin Addict?|work=Mediaite|last=Wilstein|first=Matt|date=11 June 2013|access-date=13 December 2014|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215222654/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/russell-brand-did-what-in-a-public-bathroom-when-he-was-a-crack-and-heroin-addict/|url-status=live}}

He was a patron of the Focus 12 drug treatment programme and rehabilitation charity after his own use of the service; the charity closed in 2018.{{Cite news|date=19 July 2018|title=Focus12 - charity that 'saved' Russell Brand - closes |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-44888434|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225172344/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-44888434|url-status=live}} Brand's sobriety was instigated by his agent, John Noel, after Brand was apprehended using heroin in a bathroom during a Christmas party. Brand cites his practice of transcendental meditation as a significant factor in his recovery from drug dependence.{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Look Who's Meditating Now|date=20 March 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/fashion/20TM.html|first=Irina|last=Aleksander|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=15 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315214536/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/fashion/20TM.html|url-status=live}} Brand organised three fundraisers for Focus 12 in London, Dublin and Belfast in 2009, and has also acted as a "sponsor" for numerous people during the rehabilitation stage of their treatment process.{{cite web|title=Russell Brand|url=http://www.focus12.co.uk/russell-brand/|publisher=Focus 12|access-date=8 April 2014|year=2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307115259/http://www.focus12.co.uk/russell-brand|archive-date=7 March 2014}}

• Live ({{Nowrap|20 November}} 2006)
• Doing Life – Live ({{Nowrap|26 November}} 2007)
• Scandalous – Live at the O2 ({{Nowrap|9 November}} 2009)
• Live in New York City ({{Nowrap|21 November}} 2011)
• Messiah Complex ({{Nowrap|25 November}} 2013)
• Brandemic ({{Nowrap|15 March}} 2023)

• {{Cite book |title= My Booky Wook|last= |first= |year= 2007|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location= London|isbn= 978-0-340-93615-3|title-link= My Booky Wook}}
• {{Cite book |title= Irons in the Fire|year= 2007|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location= London|isbn= 978-0-340-96136-0}}
• {{Cite book |title= Articles Of Faith|year= 2008|publisher=HarperCollins |location= London|isbn= 978-0-00-729881-5}}
• {{Cite book |title= Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal|year= 2010|publisher=HarperCollins |location= London|isbn= 978-0-00-729882-2 |title-link= Booky Wook 2}}
• {{Cite book |title= Revolution|year= 2014|publisher=Ballantine |location= New York|isbn= 978-1-10-188291-7|title-link= Revolution (Russell Brand book)}}
• {{cite book|title=The Pied Piper of Hamelin: Russell Brand's Trickster Tales|publisher=Simon & Schuster/Atria|year=2014|isbn=978-1476791890}}
• {{Cite book|title= Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions|year= 2018|publisher= Picador|location= London|isbn= 978-1250182456}}
• {{Cite book|title= Mentors: How To Help and Be Helped|year= 2019|publisher= Pan Macmillan|location= London|isbn= 978-1509850884}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book |title= Russell Brand: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know|last= Stone|first= Dave|year= 2007|publisher=John Blake Publishing|location= London|isbn= 978-1-84454-396-0}}
• {{Cite book|title= Russell Brand|last= Carey|first= Tanith|year= 2007|publisher= Michael O'Mara Books|location= London|isbn= 978-1-84317-240-6|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/russellbrand0000care}}

• Caroline Frost, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/a-very-superior-brand/story-e6frf7jo-1225692825740 "Russell Brand Talks, Love, Sex, Ambition and Revolution"], Herald Sun, {{Nowrap|27 March}} 2009 (audio)
• [http://www.democracynow.org/2014/11/14/russell_brand_on_revolution_fighting_inequality Russell Brand on Revolution, Fighting Inequality, Addiction, Militarized Policing & Noam Chomsky]. Democracy Now! {{Nowrap|14 November}} 2014 (video)

{{sister project links|d=Q296609|c=category:Russell Brand|wikt=no|s=no|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb name}}

{{S-start}}

{{S-media}}

{{Succession box|before=no host| title=MTV Video Music Awards host| years=2008
2009| after=Chelsea Handler}}

{{Succession box|before=Jason Sudeikis| title=MTV Movie Awards host| years=2012| after=Rebel Wilson}}

{{S-end}}

{{Russell Brand|state=expanded}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brand, Russell}}

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