Hugh Grant acting career revelation has stirred conversation after the veteran actor admitted to his
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”
co-star Justice Smith that he entered the field solely for fame and wealth. Grant’s candid confession emerged while Smith was speaking on the “What Are We Even Doing?” podcast with host Kyle MacLachlan, sharing a story that highlighted both their camaraderie and Grant’s unexpected honesty about his motives.
Justice Smith Recounts Grant’s Unexpected Honesty
Justice Smith revealed during the podcast that while working with Grant, he questioned him about his passion for his craft. Smith recalled:
“I did. Oh, I love Hugh. When I worked with him, I was like, ‘Hugh, you know, do you still love what you do? Do you still love this?’ And he was just like, ‘No.’ He said, ‘I’ve never loved it.’ He’s like, ‘I just wanted to be famous and make a lot of money.’ And I said, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Yeah’.”
— Justice Smith, Actor
Smith admitted the response left him shocked, unsure if Grant was being genuine or simply employing his characteristic dry humor. Grant’s forthrightness about never having loved acting, but desiring the rewards it brought, was both jarring and revealing.
The Reaction Among Co-Stars and Friends
Smith described seeking insight from fellow actor Rosamund Pike while working on another project,
“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.”
When he questioned Pike on Grant’s comments, she suggested the remarks were simply part of British humor:
“She’s like, ‘No, I’m pretty sure he’s just British.’ I’m like, ‘Are you sure?’ I think ’cause it stuck with me. I was like, ‘Oh, I guess you can be a really good actor and just want to like just do it for the fame and money'”
— Justice Smith, Actor (recounting conversation with Rosamund Pike)
Despite the surprising nature of Grant’s confession, Smith was struck by how genuine he seemed at the time, emphasizing the sincerity with which Grant spoke about his feelings toward acting.
Grant’s Work Ethic and Reputation on Set
Despite claiming not to love the profession, both Smith and MacLachlan agreed on Grant’s dedication to his craft. MacLachlan described the complexity behind Grant’s approach to acting, suggesting there may be enjoyment hidden beneath his reluctance:
“I feel like it’s the torture of that experience as opposed to kind of letting it all go and just, you know, doing what he does. But I got to believe that he finds joy in it,”
— Kyle MacLachlan, Actor
Smith echoed these sentiments, noting Grant’s perfectionist tendencies and the impressive effort he consistently puts into his roles:
“I would hope that he was joking, but also that British humour is so dry and like sometimes hard to permeate that I don’t know ’cause he was so sincere. Then I watch him…he does the work, he puts a lot of effort into what he does. We were working on a silly comedy together, and you could tell he really cares about it. He’s such a good actor, he’ll make you believe that he doesn’t,”
— Justice Smith, Actor
The Larger Impact of Grant’s Statement
Hugh Grant’s revelation challenges common myths about why actors pursue their careers, showing that outward appearances don’t always match internal motivations. While his words initially seemed shocking, others who know him, including Smith, MacLachlan, and Pike, point to the skill and effort he brings to all his projects, regardless of stated passion. Grant’s remarks have opened new discussions about the motivations behind creative careers and the different forms success can take within the film industry.
