Biographies: Hugh Grant - Actor

Biographies

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Hugh John Mungo Grant was born on September 9, 1960, in Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom. His parents, James and Finvola, are of Scottish ancestry. His grandfather was in the British Army during World War II. Young Grant was fond of literature and acting. He won a scholarship to Oxford and joined the New College in 1979. There he was involved in student drama, and considered a career as an art historian. After Oxford, he turned down a scholarship to do postgraduate studies in Art History at the Courtauld Institute in London, and focused on his acting career. In 1982, while still a student, Grant made his big screen debut in Privileged (1982) by director Michael Hoffman. Grant's breakthrough came with the leading role as Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), opposite Andy MacDowell, a role that won him a Golden Globe Award, as well as a BAFTA Film Award for Best Actor. During the 1990s, Grant established himself as a very original and resourceful actor. He played a string of characters projecting a positive mindset. His strong point is playing characters projecting warmth and sincere happiness; with his hallmark hesitate, although some accused him of reprising the same character he has been playing for the past two decades. Grant's ability to show his character development within a limited screen time shines in Love Actually (2003), with his witty portrayal of a Prime Minister whose personal insecurities become related to his country's international affairs, a performance that earned him a nomination for European Audience Award. Outside of his acting profession, Grant has been a good athlete; he played cricket and football in his younger years. He currently enjoys playing golf. He has been a devoted art lover since his younger years, and has been collecting fine art, a passion he inherited from his father. Worth mention, Hugh Grant also starred many American films.

• 6 May 2011
• Achraf Wassim