Russell Brand Gets Baptized in the River Thames

British comedian Russell Brand speaks to protesters following a march against the British government's spending cuts and austerity measures in London on June 20, 2015. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Comedian Russell Brand shared a photo on social media on April 28 following his baptism. The photo, an image of Mr. Brand embracing his dog, offered a glimpse into his personal life after a period of public exploration of Christian beliefs.

This exploration had unfolded over several months, with Mr. Brand openly engaging with Christian texts and teachings.

In a follow-up video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Brand discussed the immediate effects of the baptism, saying,“ I felt change, transition.”

The post resonated with his audience, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and tens of thousands of comments. Many supporters expressed well wishes and offered messages of encouragement for Mr. Brand’s spiritual journey. News outlets also picked up the story, with The Christian Post framing the baptism as a significant step toward spiritual rebirth.

Mr. Brand had announced his plans for baptism on social media the prior week. He described the baptism as an opportunity for personal renewal, drawing inspiration from the teachings of the apostle Paul in Galatians. This referenced the concept of being reborn in Christ, which seemed to hold particular significance for Mr. Brand. In his own words, he felt a growing affinity for Christianity’s message in a world where he perceived a decline in values.

However, Mr. Brand’s exploration of faith wasn’t confined to Christianity. He also drew inspiration from other spiritual traditions, including Stoicism and Buddhism. This perspective offered a window into how the actor was weaving together different spiritual influences.

Mr. Brand even incorporated some humor into his baptism announcement. He jokingly mentioned being baptized in the River Thames, acknowledging its pollution as a symbolic washing away of past transgressions. “I may be leaving behind the sins, but I might be picking up some pretty serious viruses.”

Mr. Brand’s decision to be baptized wasn’t a sudden one. For several months, he had publicly explored Christian literature, including works by C.S. Lewis and Rick Warren. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Mr. Brand openly discussed his personal struggles and how spirituality offered him a potential coping mechanism.

“Like many desperate people, I need spirituality. I need God, or I cannot cope in this world. I need to believe in the best in people,” he disclosed.

Despite professional setbacks, such as the suspension of his YouTube channel last year, Mr. Brand maintains an active online presence. The suspension from the video platform follows incidents in 2023 when the podcast host was accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment by four women on separate occasions between 2006 and 2013. Police interviewed Mr. Brand regarding the allegations.

Mr. Brand maintains his innocence, asserting that his relationships have always been consensual. He addressed the situation in a video on social media, where he called the accusations “serious criminal allegations.” Furthermore, Mr. Brand highlighted several corporate media pieces that portrayed him as a “conspiracy theorist” due to his vocal concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with certain COVID-19 vaccines.

Mr. Brand has not been charged with any crimes.

Meantime, his show “Stay Free,” which includes interviews with politicians and notable figures, streams on Rumble.

The Epoch Times reached out to Mr. Brand for a comment, but the request was not returned at the time of publication.