What is Russell Brand's Net Worth?
Russell Brand is an English comedian, actor, author, and radio host who has a net worth of $20 million. Russell Brand first gained attention in 2004 as the host of "Big Brother" spinoff "Big Brother's Big Mouth." He landed his first major film role in 2007's "St Trinian's." In 2008, he starred as rocker Aldous Snow in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and reprised his role in 2010's "Get Him to the Greek." Russell has appeared in dozens of movies and television shows and has received several awards, including three British Comedy Awards. In recent years, Russell has become better known as the host of several podcasts/YouTube channels: "The Russell Brand Podcast" and " Under the Skin with Russell Brand."
In September 2023, a report accused Russell of raping and sexually assaulting a handful of women between 2006 and 2013. In the wake of the allegations, Russell's YouTube channel was demonetized. Prior to the demonetization, the channel had reportedly been earning north of $1 million per year. Brand categorically denied the allegations, insisting the relationships were all consensual.
Subscription Earnings
After losing his ability to monetize his YouTube channel, Russell launched a paid subscription club on a social platform called Locals. By early 2024, he reportedly had attracted 120,000, paying $50 per year. That works out to around $5 million per year in net earnings after the platform's cut.
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Early Life
Russell Brand was born Russell Edward Brand on June 4, 1975, in Grays, Essex, England. His father, Ronald, was a photographer and left when Russell was six months old. Brand's mother, Barbara, underwent treatment for both uterine cancer and breast cancer during his childhood, so Russell lived with relatives for a time. At the age of 14, Brand developed an eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and he moved out of his mother's home at 16. He soon began using drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, and amphetamines.
Russell made his stage debut in a Grays School production of "Bugsy Malone" at age 15 and soon started working as an extra in movies. Brand then attended the Italia Conti Academy, but he was expelled after a year for poor attendance and drug use; he was also expelled from the Drama Centre of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Stand-Up Comedy Career
In 2000, Brand came in fourth place in the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition, and he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2000, 2004, and 2005. Russell embarked on a nationwide tour in 2006, and the following year, he co-hosted an event for the Teenage Cancer Trust, performed his comedy for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and went on a nationwide tour called "Russell Brand: Only Joking." In 2009, Comedy Central aired "Russell Brand in New York City, and he began touring internationally. He has released several DVDs of his stand-up comedy, including "Russell Brand: Live" (2006), "Russell Brand: Doin' Life" (2008), and "Russell Brand: Messiah Complex" (2013).
Movie and TV Career
Brand has hosted numerous television shows, including "RE: Brand" (2002), "Russell Brand's Got Issues" (2006), and "Brand X with Russell Brand" (2012-2013); he also hosted the "MTV Video Music Awards" in 2008 and 2009 as well as the "MTV Movie Awards" in 2012. Russell has starred in several movies, including 2008's "Bedtime Stories," 2011's "Arthur," 2012's "Rock of Ages," and 2013's "Paradise" and has performed on the soundtracks for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Get Him to the Greek," and "Rock of Ages." Brand also lent his voice to the "Despicable Me" franchise, "Hop" (2011), and "Trolls" (2016).
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Writing Career
Russell released an autobiography, "My Booky Wook," in 2007. The following year, he signed a 2-book publishing deal (worth £1.8 million) with HarperCollins, releasing "Articles of Faith" in 2008 and "My Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal" in 2010. Brand also released "Irons in the Fire" in 2007, "Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin" (a children's book), "Revolution" in 2014, "Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions" in 2017, and "Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped" in 2019. Russell has also contributed to "The Guardian," writing both columns and articles.
Controversies
Brand was arrested in 2010 for allegedly attacking a paparazzo photographer in Los Angeles; he was released after posting $20,000 bail the next day. An arrest warrant was filed in 2012 after Russell threw a paparazzo's phone through a window in New Orleans; Brand voluntarily went to the police station and offered to pay to replace the window.
The day after the September 11th attacks, Brand showed up for work dressed as Osama Bin Laden, leading to his dismissal from MTV. In 2013, Russell was kicked out of the "GQ" Men of the Year Awards ceremony when, in his acceptance speech, he brought up the fact that sponsor Hugo Boss used to make uniforms for the Nazis. Brand's drug use, alcoholism, and promiscuity have all been highly publicized, and he has incorporated them into his comedic material.
Activism
Brand has spoken out about many issues, including addiction, climate change, and wealth inequality. In 2012, the Dalai Lama chose Russell to host his youth event in Manchester, and he participated in the People's Assembly Against Austerity in 2014. Brand's passion for political causes led him to make the films "Russell Brand: End the Drugs War" (2014) and "The Emperor's New Clothes" (2015) as well as the 2014 YouTube web series "The Trews: True News with Russell Brand."
Personal Life
Russell married singer Katy Perry on October 23, 2010; the couple met when she filmed a cameo for "Get Him to the Greek" in mid-2009 and began dating after reconnecting at the MTV Music Video Awards in September. Brand and Perry divorced in July 2012, and Russell went on to marry blogger Laura Gallacher on August 26, 2017. Brand and Gallacher have two daughters, Mabel (born in November 2016) and Peggy (born in July 2018).
Russell has struggled with drug abuse and began using heroin at the age of 19. He has been clean and sober since December 2002; he credits the Focus 12 drug rehabilitation program and transcendental meditation with helping him in his recovery. Brand has also suffered from sex addiction and has been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder. Russell began following a vegetarian diet at 14 and was named Sexiest Vegetarian by PETA in 2011; he has been a vegan since 2019.
Katy Perry Divorce Settlement
Katie and Russell did not have a prenuptial agreement during their marriage. Divorce court filings would later reveal that during their 14-month marriage, Katy earned $44 million while Russell earned around $6 million. Russell could have been entitled to tens of millions when including real estate assets. At the time of their divorce, Katy was worth $30-40 million, while Russell was worth significantly less. Russell ultimately agreed to much less than he was entitled to. The amount was undisclosed but is believed to be in the low millions.
Real Estate
In 2009, while he was dating Katy Perry, the couple paid $3.25 million for a home in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood. They sold this home in 2011 for $3.3 million. In 2013 he paid $2.224 million for a home in Hollywood Hills. In 2016 he paid £3.3million for an Oxfordshire, England cottage. In 2019, Russell paid $3 million for a home in LA's Outpost Estates neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills. He listed this home for sale in August 2024 for $3.5 million.
