The Distance Between You and Yourself

Throughout his over 30 years in the biz, Hugh Grant has evolved through different phases, defining an era of romantic comedies before subverting expectations with the character-driven parts he’s always preferred. “I’d much rather have a silly voice, a funny haircut, and a funny walk,” he says, revealing the intricacies of his character-building process and how it’s changed since his 1990s Hollywood breakthrough. In particular, Hugh advises listeners on how to make each take fresh and believable: “On film, you have to mean it.” A London native and Oxford student, Hugh dabbled in writing and performing sketch comedy before giving acting a go on stages all over England. After film and TV work, including an award-winning turn in “Maurice,” he auditioned for and booked “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” which became the highest-grossing British movie in history and earned Hugh a Golden Globe Award. His streak as a romantic lead continued with “Sense and Sensibility,” “Notting Hill,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “About a Boy,” “Two Weeks Notice,” “Love Actually,” “Music & Lyrics,” and more. Returning to the industry after a politically active hiatus, Hugh earned acclaim for work in “Florence Foster Jenkins,” “Paddington 2,” and the Emmy-nominated “A Very English Scandal.” This year he pivots again, in Guy Ritchie’s film “The Gentlemen” and David E. Kelley’s HBO limited series opposite Nicole Kidman, “The Undoing.” Listen to our interview above, and click to read his 2018 Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/3qFGsT7 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis