Hugh Grant has spent much of his career playing charming leading men who can win over almost anyone. But during the making of one film, he found himself in a very different social circle.
While researching the mafia world for ‘Mickey Blue Eyes‘, Grant tried to connect with real-life mob associates. However, as he later admitted, the feeling was not exactly mutual.
When Hugh Grant Tried To Befriend Real Mobsters
The introduction to the mafia group came through director Mike Newell, who had previously worked on ‘Donnie Brasco‘. Newell encouraged Grant to meet one of his own contacts, a man known only by a memorable nickname.
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“Mike called me up, slightly nervously, and said, ‘Hugh, I think you really, really should talk to a very good friend of mine named Rocco. I can’t give you his last name because I don’t actually know it. He’s called Rocco the Butcher, but don’t let that put you off’,” he shared with Entertainment Weekly.
The meeting opened the door to even more introductions. Grant recalled, “So we talked to Rocco, and he introduced us to a good friend of his, who was called Vinnie Seven Heads.”
Although the meetings gave Grant a rare glimpse into the mafia world, the actor soon realized that he was not the person drawing the most attention. While cast and crew members spent time with the group, conversations often drifted toward someone else entirely.
Why The Mafia Had Little Interest In Grant
Elizabeth Hurley, who served as a co-producer on the film and was Grant’s partner at the time, quickly became the center of attention. According to Grant, the mob-connected men seemed far more interested in getting to know her than they were in speaking with him.
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“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,” Grant admitted.
Rather than becoming one of the group’s closest companions, Grant found himself watching much of the action unfold from the sidelines as Hurley effortlessly won everyone over.
Grant later revealed just how popular Hurley became during those interactions. The actress and model made such a strong impression that the mafia associates gave her a special place in their social circle. “But Elizabeth, they adored, and she became their princess,” he said.
Director Kelly Makin confirmed Grant’s version of events. According to Makin, Hurley was “always right beside” some older mafia figure whenever the group gathered for meals.
Despite its promising cast, the movie never reached the same level of success as Grant’s biggest hits. Over time, one of the most interesting things about ‘Mickey Blue Eyes‘ became the stories surrounding its production.
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