Hugh Grant Spills The Truth About Why He’s Done With Rom-Coms

Let’s face it—Hugh Grant is one of those actors who became synonymous with romantic comedies. But here’s the twist: the star of Cloud Atlas recently revealed that we probably won’t see him starring in another rom-com anytime soon. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on December 11, Hugh, now 63, gave a refreshingly honest reason for stepping away from the genre.

“I got too old, fat, and ugly to do romantic comedies anymore, obviously,” Hugh joked with host Drew Barrymore. “But hey, that’s okay! I’ve moved on to more interesting things, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Hugh and Drew, who starred together in the 2007 rom-com Music and Lyrics, clearly have a history. “We need to do another one,” Drew, 48, told the BAFTA-winning actor, hinting at the possibility of them collaborating again in the future. But Hugh had some thoughtful words to share about his feelings toward the genre.

Read also:

Why Fans Love Willie Geist And Jenna Bush Hager Together

Why Hugh Grant Isn’t Into Rom-Coms Anymore

“I love those films, and I love the fact that people still adore them,” Hugh admitted. “But to be honest, I’ve never felt entirely comfortable doing them. For me, acting is all about transformation—I want to disappear into a character. In rom-coms, you’re often just playing yourself, which isn’t exactly my cup of tea.”

The British actor went on to explain that he’s unlikely to take on other “sweet roles” moving forward. Instead, he’s thrilled with the exciting direction his career has taken recently, including standout performances in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and The Undoing. “These projects are so much more fulfilling,” he said. “They allow me to explore deeper, richer characters.”

A Longstanding Dislike for Rom-Coms

This isn’t the first time Hugh has voiced his distaste for the rom-com genre. Back in November 2022, during a special celebrating the 20th anniversary of Love Actually, Hugh opened up about his reluctance to perform the iconic dance scene in the film.

“When I saw that dance scene in the script, I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m going to hate this,’” he confessed to journalist Diane Sawyer. “And sure enough, I didn’t enjoy it one bit. Rehearsing it? Forget about it. I just wasn’t into it.”

Writer and director Richard Curtis recalled Hugh’s reluctance on set when he learned he’d have to perform the dance routine. “He kept saying no,” Richard said. “I think he was secretly hoping I’d get sick or something, so we’d have to cut the dance scene entirely.”

Despite Hugh’s initial resistance, the scene became one of the most memorable moments in rom-com history. Fans still fondly remember his moves to The Pointer Sisters’ “Jump.”

Read also:

Jenna And Barbara Bush Celebrating Motherhood And Family Bonds

Hugh’s Latest Role and His Honest Take on It

Hugh recently admitted that he “hated” his role in the new Wonka film, where he plays an Oompa Loompa. During a press conference for the movie, he joked, “I made a big fuss about it. I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more.”

But Hugh, a father of five, added a touch of humor to his explanation. “I might not love making films,” he quipped, “but I have a lot of kids, and they need to eat. So, here I am.”