The only child of Barbara Elizabeth and photographer Ronald Henry Brand, Russell Brand was was born in Orsett Hospital in Grays, Essex, England in 1975. A comedian and actor, Brand first achieved the limelight as host of Big Brother’s Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off. But while the Big Brother franchise is known primarily for stars and starlets who are obsessed with themselves and their image, off-screen Brand is anything but.
Brand has a history of dependency on drug and alcohol he entered the Focus 12 addiction program in 2005. After a successful treatment he went on to become a patron. His history only fueled his passion, and with his help Focus 12 was able to organize a number of successful events which allowed Focus 12 to continue to offer a wide range of services, from individual therapy to an intensive 12 week treatment program.
He has personally sponsored dozens of residential programs and has put on major fundraising shows for the non-profit in London, Belfast and Dublin. In addition, Russell Brand makes a point to try to attend the annual reunion and continues to bring energy to the fund raising process.
Russell Brand has also been active as a supporter of the Hoping Foundation, and has spoken at the G-20 London summit protests. Along with Sarah Silverman, he organized the Love X-Change in 2011. As part of the exchange, volunteers who gave 2 hours to Habitat for Humanity, Rootstrikers, Friendly House, The Art of Elysium, Los Angeles Food Bank, or Los Angeles Animal Alliance were given chances to win tickets to see the two of them.