Hugh John Mungo Grant celebrates his 50th birthday today after a high profile half-century.
The British actor burst onto the film scene in 1994 with a starring role in Richard Curtis' Four Weddings and a Funeral. Since then he has become established as a comic character actor, specialising in the role of the foppish, awkward but charming English gent in films like Notting Hill and Mickey Blue Eyes.
Grant's professional career has often been overshadowed by his private life and a turbulent relationship with the media. While dating Liz Hurley in 1995, Hugh was arrested in Los Angeles for a misdemeanour involving lewd conduct with prostitute Divine Brown.
He is notoriously wary of the media, and has been involved in several lawsuits and libel cases.
Hugh turns fifty a day before his occasional co-star Colin Firth, who celebrates his half-century tomorrow.
