He admits to being moody, erratic and utterly self-conscious. And, he's still hailed as England's national treasure. Charming actor Hugh Grant, who's turns 56 today, defies aging with his natural good looks. Ever the handsome star of many a memorable movies, he's been the stylish ladies' man. So, what makes Hugh the quintessential ladies' man?
British tabloids can't ever get enough of him. They've always painted Grant as the 'Mickey, who every girl wants to possess'. He's a charmer and can carry himself with panache, both on screen and off screen.
Hugh Grant lends signature undertone to a man with glorious self-doubt. He's so cuddly and ever a romantic. He showcased with wit and eloquence, much to women's liking- in 1994's Four Weddings and a Funeral- a refreshing reinforcement of his charm.
Hugh Grant isn't just a perfect face on the middle of a scorching tabloid. He's a doyen of dozens of subject driven narratives. Picture Bitter Moon, Mickey Blue Eyes, An Englishman who went up a hill, but came down a mountain. The bloke is too cool to ever admit on national television and it's his easy going nature that has struck a chord with female fans.
Grant, ever the ladies man made headlines when in mid-90s he moved in with Elizabeth Hurley, who was then at the top of her game. He's then, been linked to Rachel Weisz and even shared a brief romantic entanglement with Jemima Khan, who many admitted, he 'stole' from Imran Khan. How's that for a record!
Just when it is dubbed that Grant is over, he keeps coming back with striking performances. He was part of the melodramatic hit Bridget Jones' Diary-2 when none expected him to claw his way back. He surprised audiences, starring with Sarah Jessica Parker in 2009s 'Did You Hear About the Morgans' and much to the audiences' surprise set a fiery chemistry as subtly beautiful as only he could.
Every girl goes through a phase of life where she's attracted to shades of grey in men. Hugh, starring as the clever, charmingly wicked 'Daniel Cleaver' in Bridget Jones' Diary got hearts racing, not just of Renee Zellwegger but of an entire generation of women who saw in Cleaver a coyly notorious but romantic lover.
If there's ever been a movie where Hugh has sailed over his critics in mighty easy fashion then it was About a Boy. As Will Freeman, a single, good for nothing, self-deprecating Briton, Hugh shone as an unlikely friend and guide to 13 year old Marcus (Nicholas Holt) despite fancying nothing better than dating single women.
Among the world's most loved romantic comedies is 1998s Notting Hill. It marked the spectacular rise of Hugh Grant as the unlikely romantic lead, ever the polarized opposite of Page 3, media-hugging film diva, played by grace and equanimity by Julia Roberts. Grant was charming as always and personified the trials, highs and anxieties of a commoner dating a superstar with dignified grace.
We love Hugh Grant for his marvelous comic timing and non-gaudy charm in flicks like Two Weeks Notice, Music and lyrics and Did You Hear About the Morgans. In each of these romantic comedies, he essayed with typical nonchalance and style- some really fine chemistry with Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore and Sarah Jessica Parker respectively. This only added to his appeal.
While Hugh admits that he can get panicky at times, a mark of any fine actor who's up to any challenge, Grant's co-stars admit that he never looks out of place and possesses an incredibly suave unflappable attitude. This must have surely increased his fan-following.
Hugh Grant, it seems will continue to impress, fans and critics alike essaying the quintessential self-deprecating humorist and his latest pairing with Meryl Streap promises a lot more than what the audiences can expect.
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