Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

30 Years Ago, Hugh Grant Went on ‘The Tonight Show’ Days After His Arrest and Changed Late Night TV

Jay Leno opened the interview by asking Grant, “What the hell were you thinking?” and the episode helped shift the late-night ratings war.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

On June 27, 1995, Hugh Grant was arrested in Los Angeles after receiving oral sex from a prostitute. The actor was in town to promote his new movie, Nine Months, co-starring Julianne Moore and Tom Arnold, and was scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno shortly thereafter. Despite the media circus, Grant kept his appointment with Leno in the hopes of clearing his name with the public. The episode would end up being one of the show’s most memorable.

The first thing Leno asked Grant when he sat down for his interview on the July 10 edition of The Tonight........

© Vice