Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.

Brand’s childhood and early adulthood were marked with personal misfortune and addiction. After successfully exiting rehab, Brand achieved fame in the UK in 2003 for his Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother’s Big Mouth. Although he had previously acted in movies and television, his first major role was in the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall which led to a starring role in 2010’s Get Him to the Greek. He has also been a voice actor for animated films such as 2010’s Despicable Me and the 2011 film Hop. He starred in the 2011 remake of the 1981 Dudley Moore film Arthur.

Brand is noted for his eccentricity and his controversies in the British media, including his dismissal from MTV for dressing up as Osama Bin Laden and controversies while presenting at various award ceremonies. The 2008 prank telephone calls he made to Andrew Sachs while co-hosting The Russell Brand Show with Jonathan Ross led to his resignation from the BBC and major policy changes in that organization. His prior drug use and promiscuity influenced his comedic material and public image. He married American pop singer Katy Perry in October 2010.

Is Anyone Immune?

From world leaders to the man who lives around the corner, sex has claimed the lives of countless men who failed to control their urges and lived to regret it. When the wife of a man discovers he has been sleeping around, it can be the end of the road for that man’s marriage and by extension, his family life. Then there is the political candidate running for office and with every chance of claiming a powerful and lucrative position only to find it all goes up in smoke when a tabloid newspaper reveals his indiscretions to the world.

Reputations Ruined

How many times have we seen newspaper and television reports revealing the secret lives of people in the public eye, effectively ruining their careers. Especially so, and deservedly, when it is revealed their sexual deviancy falls into the area of child pornography. There have been some high profile cases in recent years including that of former pop star Gary Glitter who was convicted of child abuse. As well as destroying his reputation, he has also come to be viewed as a hate figure. Don’t expect to hear any of his records played on radio!

Talking of radio, the big story in the UK in recent weeks has been that of the indiscretions of the two idiots Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand who somehow thought it was funny to make obscene calls to Andrew Sachs, using very sexually explicit language. Just another example of how sex can be at the root of self-inflicted problems. Yes sex can bring pleasure, but can also bring heartache if sexual urges are not kept in check.