Richard E. Grant says he was 'chastised' by other actors for his role in 'Spice World,' but it led to free Adele tickets, and Lena Dunham casting him in 'Girls'
- Richard E. Grant starred as the Spice Girls' manager, Clifford, in 1997's "Spice World."
- In his memoir, the star said that Adele gave him free tickets because of the film.
Richard E. Grant has an eclectic mix of roles on his acting résumé, from playing the infamous titular alcoholic in "Withnail and I," the sneering Dr. Zander Rice in "Logan," and Jack Hock in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" which earned him a best supporting actor nomination at the 2019 Oscars.
But one of his most unique roles has to be as Clifford, the Spice Girls' manager in "Spice World." Yes, Grant was the one in charge of the pop stars in their big-screen adventure in 1997.
In his new memoir, "A Pocketful of Happiness," which was released in the US on August 1, Grant recalled working with the Spice Girls at the height of their popularity — and the reaction he received from fellow actors.
"I was chastised by the more serious members of the acting fraternity for taking the role," he wrote. "But had the last laugh two decades later when Lena Dunham wrote me into four episodes of 'Girls,' as a result of knowing me from 'Spice World.'"
"Likewise, Adele, with whom I share a birthday, sent me tickets to her sold-out O2 Arena concert as she is an obsessive Spice Girls fan. So win-win!" he added.
Grant also shared fond memories of working with the Spice Girls — Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, and Geri Horner — themselves, explaining that the film's script was there "more as a guide," and that the cast was "encouraged to improvise and just be themselves."
Because he shared several scenes with the band, Grant ended up being quite friendly with them, and Bunton even helped look after his daughter when she visited the set.
Grant praised Baby Spice, saying that she "was so maternal and inclusive," adding: "My 8-year-old daughter's fantasy, come true!"
If that wasn't enough, Mel B gave Grant his own nickname during production.
"Mel 'Scary Spice' Brown thwacked me on the bum and declared, 'You're in pretty good shape, for an old guy!' I was instantly nicknamed Old Spice. Verbal Viagra!" Grant wrote.