Hugh Grant’s hostility towards media is well-known within the industry, yet the actor has found himself in the spotlight on multiple occasions. Grant began dating actress Elizabeth Hurley when they met during the production of the Spanish film Remando al Viento in 1987. Their relationship lasted till 2000, during which time she became globally recognized for wearing the Black Versace dress to the London premiere of Grant’s film Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Hurley also served as the producer for Grant’s mob comedy film, Mickey Blue Eyes. The film explores the story of Michael, who marries into a Mafia family and gets involved in the family business, endangering his life. In preparing for his role, Hugh Grant enlisted the help of real Mafia members.
Hugh Grant Got In Touch With Mafia Members For Researching His Role In The Movie
Hugh Grant rose to prominence with the 1994 romcom, Four Weddings and A Funeral, directed by Mike Newell. Newell was also the director of the Al Pacino and Johnny Depp starring crime drama, Donnie Brasco, which explores the story of the Bonanno crime family. Newell, who had come in contact with real-life mobsters for the movie, introduced Grant to the Mafia.
Newell introduced the Love Actually actor to Rocco the Butcher, who then introduced him to Vinnie Seven Heads. Grant recalled these colorful names in a 1999 interview with Entertainment Weekly. The Sense and Sensibility actor added that Vinnie and Rocco also brought along some friends, a few of whom even played extras in the movie.
One head of a crime family even approached the director of Mickey Blue Eyes, Kelly Makin, with a special request. He wanted the director to cast his daughter in a small wedding scene in the movie. Kelly Makin was quick to respond with a yes as he was too scared to be around the mobsters. Once the scene was filmed, the mob boss thanked Makin, even stating that he owed him one.
The Mafia Members Took Interest In Hugh Grant’s Ex-Girlfriend
Interestingly, Rocco the Butcher, Vinnie Seven Heads, and other mobsters were attracted to Elizabeth Hurley. Hurley was present on the sets as a producer and handled the Mafia much better than her partner, Grant. The Bridget Jones actor revealed that he had to sit in a corner and watch as Hurley flirted with the Mafia members and vice versa. Grant told EW:
“Elizabeth did a lot of heavy flirting with them, and they did a lot of heavy flirting with her. I sort of sat off in a corner — they weren’t particularly interested in me. But Elizabeth they adored, and she became their princess.”
Some of the Italian-descent actors who made their first appearances in Mickey Blue Eyes later went on to act in the acclaimed mob crime drama series, The Sopranos. The title of the film was even inspired by the real-life mobster Vincent Alo, whose nickname was Jimmy Blue Eyes. The film received mixed reviews and grossed $57 million against a budget of $30 million.
Hugh Grant’s Mickey Blue Eyes is now available for rent on AppleTV+.
Source: EW
