Who is Russell Brand? All about Katy Perry's ex-husband found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting women over a 10-year period

Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault in his London trial. Brand had been accused of assaulting six women between 1999 and 2009. On Thursday, the jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found the comedian guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, according to the BBC. He was acquitted on two other counts of rape and one of attempted indecent assault.

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Prosecutors had described the 51-year-old, who starred in the films "Get Him to the Greek" and "Arthur", as a ruthless sexual predator. Russell Brand, once one of Britain's most high-profile broadcasters and the former husband ‌of US singer Katy Perry, had denied the accusations, saying the incidents had either been consensual, reinvented or re-imagined.

Who is Russell Brand?

Russell Brand is an English actor, comedian and television presenter who was born in Essex, England. He studied at several drama schools in and around London before beginning his career in stand-up comedy, performing at venues such as the Hackney Empire and the Edinburgh Festival. Around the same time, he started working as a journalist and presenter for MTV, although the association eventually ended amid concerns over his controversial style.

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Brand has appeared in several films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Despicable Me, Bedtime Stories and Get Him to the Greek. He has also contributed columns to the British newspaper The Guardian and authored several books, beginning with his 2007 autobiography, My Booky Wook.

Beyond entertainment, Brand has been vocal about mental health awareness and drug rehabilitation, supporting causes related to recovery and addiction.

Russell Brand net worth

According to estimates from Celebrity Net Worth, Russell Brand's current net worth stands at approximately $20 million. While that figure reflects years of success across entertainment, publishing, and digital media, it also comes after significant financial setbacks tied to recent controversies.

Brand first rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a stand-up comic and television presenter in the U.K., before breaking into Hollywood. He became a recognizable film star with roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Arthur, and Rock of Ages. At the height of his acting career, Brand commanded sizable paychecks and became a global celebrity, further boosted by hosting major events like the MTV Video Music Awards.

Russell Brand wife

Russell Brand was joined by wife Laura Gallacher at Southwark Crown Court as the media personality was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Laura Gallacher is an author and illustrator who has been married to Russell Brand since 2017.

Laura Gallacher grew up in Surrey on the Wentworth estate, she began a career in restaurant and nightclub management after studying art at University. Her father is the Scottish retired professional golfer Bernard Gallacher, who captained the European Ryder Cup team three times, in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Her sister is Kirsty Gallacher, who was a long-term presenter on Sky Sports.

The pair had briefly dated before Russell Brand's first marriage to singer Katy Perry, when he was still building his career as a comedian. They were introduced in 2007 by Kirsty, who shared a talent agent with Brand. However, reports suggested that Kirsty initially "begged her to end it".

The two reconnected in 2015, eight years later, after both had experienced relationship heartbreak. Laura had recently split from her boyfriend, while Brand had just divorced pop star Katy Perry.

"My ex had literally moved out of our flat that day and I was heartbroken, with mascara running down my face," Laura told Grazia.

"A friend dragged me out on a walk to the canal in east London, where I'd never been in my life, and as we came on to the footpath Russell was standing there, like he'd organised it."

She told the Made by Mammas podcast in 2020 that Brand seemed "so different," and that they immediately knew that this time it would be serious. "You have to rebuild your foundations and trust again, we did it the right way. It was very slow, it was getting to know each other and going out on day trips together."

"I remember him saying: 'I think I want a quiet life and a family,'" and it was exactly what I wanted. So, then it was about seeing if we could build a foundation to make that happen," she told You.

The couple tied the knot in August 2017, marrying in a church ceremony near their home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The couple have three children. Their first was Mabel in 2016, followed by another girl, Peggy, in 2018 and a son in 2023.