Let’s be honest: in the messy, high-stakes world of Hollywood breakups, we usually expect a side of drama, a dash of legal battles, and a total social media scrub. But then there’s Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant. They are the anomaly. The glitch in the celebrity matrix.
You’ve probably seen the headlines over the decades. They were the "it" couple of the 90s, the pair that survived a scandal that would have buried most careers, and the duo that decided—rather than becoming bitter enemies—they’d just become each other's best friends for the next quarter-century. It’s kinda fascinating when you think about it.
The Night Everything Changed (But Not Really)
Most people remember 1995 for one thing. Hugh Grant, the stuttering, charming lead of Four Weddings and a Funeral, was arrested on Sunset Boulevard with a sex worker named Divine Brown. It was the ultimate "what were you thinking?" moment. The mugshot was everywhere.
At the time, Liz Hurley was the face of Estée Lauder. She was the woman in "that dress"—the Versace safety pin gown that basically invented the concept of red-carpet viral moments. When the news broke, she famously said she felt like she’d "been shot."
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But here’s the thing that surprises people: she didn't leave.
They stayed together for five more years after that scandal. Most people assume the arrest was the end, but they actually stayed a couple until 2000. When they did finally split, it wasn't because of a tabloid explosion. They just... grew into a different phase. Hugh has since joked that the "sex part probably fizzled out," but the friendship was too deep to throw away.
Best Friends or "Brother and Sister"?
It’s now 2026, and the bond between Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant is arguably stronger than most marriages in Tinseltown. They talk nearly every day. Liz has called him her "go-to person" for everything from script advice to life crises.
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What makes it work? Basically, they went from "zero to somewhere" together. When they met on the set of the Spanish film Remando Al Viento in 1987, they were both struggling actors living in a tiny flat. That kind of shared history creates a foundation that a single bad night in Los Angeles couldn't shake.
The Godfather Factor
If you need proof of how tight they are, look at Liz's son, Damian Hurley. Hugh isn't just a family friend; he’s Damian’s godfather. He’s "Uncle Hugh."
- He takes Damian to the cinema.
- He gives him career advice.
- He even supported Damian’s directorial debut, Strictly Confidential, attending the premiere in 2024 alongside Liz’s ex-husband, Arun Nayar.
It’s a bizarrely healthy modern family. Hugh is now a father of five with his wife, Anna Eberstein, and Liz is a vocal fan of his "daddy" era. She told Andy Cohen recently that she’s actually surprised by what a doting father he became, considering they used to bicker for hours about who their hypothetical kids would look like (mostly arguing over who had the better eyes).
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Why We’re Still Obsessed
Maybe we’re obsessed because they represent a "what if." What if you didn't have to lose your best friend just because you stopped being romantic?
They navigated the 90s paparazzi frenzy, a massive cheating scandal, and the pressures of global fame, and they came out the other side as a support system. In an era where "ghosting" is the norm, seeing two people show up for each other for nearly 40 years is, honestly, kind of refreshing.
Actionable Takeaways from the Hurley-Grant Playbook
If you're looking to maintain a friendship with an ex—or just want to understand how they did it—here is the breakdown:
- Prioritize the "Us" over the "Me": They shared a production company (Simian Films) long after the romance ended. Keeping a shared goal or business interest can sometimes bridge the gap during the awkward post-split phase.
- Respect the New Partners: Liz is always careful to mention she’s respectful of Hugh’s wife and children. You can't live in a "rosy mist of the past" if you want a friendship to survive the present.
- Find the Humor: Both are famously self-deprecating. Hugh’s ability to joke about his past mistakes and Liz’s ability to tease him about looking "like a monkey" keeps the dynamic light rather than heavy with baggage.
- Shared History is Currency: Don't throw away decades of shared experiences just because the romantic spark dimmed. If someone knows your "struggle years," they are often the best person to celebrate your success years with.
Next time you see a photo of them together at a premiere, remember it’s not a PR stunt. It’s just two people who realized a long time ago that they were better together as friends than they ever were as a "power couple."