Performed with the OUDS (Oxford University Dramatic Society)

Made feature acting debut (credited as Hughie Grant) in Michael Hoffmann's "Privileged"; produced by the Oxford Film Foundation

Acted with the Nottingham Playhouse

Formed theatrical revue group, The Jockeys of Norfolk

Made US TV acting debut in the syndicated miniseries "Jenny's War"

First leading role as the aristocrat who engages in a homosexual affair while at university in the Merchant-Ivory production "Maurice"

Starred in "Bengali Nights" and "The Lair of the White Worm"

Was featured in "The Dawning", starring Anthony Hopkins

Portrayed Lord Byron in "Rowing With the Wind", to date his only film with longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley

Starred as Frederic Chopin opposite Judy Davis' George Sand in "Impromptu"

Played half of a straitlaced British couple who meet up with a sexually adventurous American writer and his young French wife in Roman Polanski's "Bitter Moon"

Featured in Merchant-Ivory's "The Remains of the Day", with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson

Starred as a repressed clergyman in 1920s Australia in "Sirens"

Had first major hit with "Four Weddings and Funeral"; played the bumbling Englishman who falls for American Andie MacDowell

Starred as a surveyor visiting a Welsh village who proclaims their beloved mountain a hill in "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain

Arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Los Angeles

Was featured in the comedy misfire "Nine Months"

Starred as the arrogant and foppish artistic director of a Liverpool repertory company in Mike Newell's "An Awfully Big Adventure"

Formed Simian Films with Elizabeth Hurley

Had a supporting role in "Sense and Sensibility", marking his third feature with Emma Thompson

Reteamed with Michael Hoffmann to play the cameo role of a portraitist in "Restoration"

Played a doctor in the midst of an ethical struggle with Gene Hackman's revered research physician in "Extreme Measures"; produced under the Simian Films banner

Starred opposite Julia Roberts in the hit romantic comedy "Notting Hill"

Portrayed an art dealer who learns his girlfriend's father is a gangster in the romantic comedy "Mickey Blue Eyes"

Had supporting role in Woody Allen's comedy "Small Time Crooks"

Offered change of pace turn as the title character's smarmy boss in "Bridget Jones's Diary"

Starred in "About a Boy"; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical

Starred opposite Sandra Bullock in romantic comedy "Two Weeks Notice"

Cast as the Prime Minister in Richard Curtis' romantic comedy "Love Actually"

Reprised role as Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"

Portrayed a Simon Cowell like host of a vocal talent show in Paul Weitz' "American Dreamz"

Played a washed-up 80's pop singer in "Music & Lyrics"