Hugh Grant established his career appearing in dozens of romantic comedy films, but the actor says he is now "relieved" that he no longer has to play the "charming leading man."
"It is odd for me because I almost do enjoy acting now," he said during an appearance on "The Late Show with James Corden," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"It’s been such a relief to not have to be a charming leading man. I gave that my best shot, and some of those films I did, I love them and I love them for being popular. I’m grateful for them ... but it has been a relief now that I’m allowed to be twisted, ugly, weird, misshapen."
Grant shot to fame after he was cast as Charles opposite Andie MacDowell in 1994's "Four Weddings and a Funeral." The role paved the way for his success. Over the next several years, Grant featured in various films including "Nottinghill" with Julia Roberts, "Two Weeks Notice" opposite Sandra Bullock, "Music and Lyrics" with Drew Barrymore, and Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones's Diary," Independent noted.
However, he later broadened his scope to play multi-layered characters in films including "A Very English Scandal," Guy Ritchie’s "The Gentlemen," as well as next to Nicole Kidman in the HBO drama "The Undoing."
Grant spoke about his darker roles last year in an interview with Terry Gross for NPR.
"It's alarming how many pretty unpleasant narcissists I've played or been offered in the last six or seven years," he said. "It's certainly been a blessed relief after having to be Mr. Nice Guy for so many years — which is a thankless task for any actor."
Grant added that he was "pretty good" at portraying narcissists in his films because "there's plenty in my business."
"I've also spent a good deal of the last decade surprisingly close to politicians, and they rival anyone I know in show business for narcissism," he said. "I'm a great believer in whoever said, "Politics is show business for the ugly." That is absolutely true, [there is] extraordinary egomania going on there. So I've seen a lot of that stuff up close."
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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