The self-styled 'King of the Dwarfs' who battled drink and drugs
The self-styled ‘King of the Dwarfs’ who battled drink and drugs after acting career: Troubled Star Wars Ewok Paul Grant, 56, was pictured snorting coke in 2014 after blowing his fortune on booze and prostitutes – as tributes flood in following his death
- Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Paul Grant collapsed outside King’s Cross
- He was interviewed at the station weeks prior, detailing his struggle with alcohol
Using his diminutive physical stature, actor Paul Grant had roles in huge Hollywood blockbusters and would call himself the ‘King of the Dwarfs’.
But as his death was announced yesterday – sparking an avalanche of tributes – the dark side to fame was brought into sharp focus.
It could be made no clearer than in a harrowing picture taken in 2014 drinking alcohol and taking cocaine.
That year he told how he blew all his cash on drink, drugs and prostitutes after his life spiralled out of control after he split from his wife.
Paul Grant, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, spoke out after pictures emerged of him snorting lines of cocaine and drinking cans of cheap out-of-date lager.
Off the rails: Star Wars actor Paul Grant pictured with lines of cocaine and a can of strong Polish lager
Mr Grant, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi (pictured) where he starred alongside Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, said three weeks ago: ‘I’ve been thinking about this, it’s my last day of drinking. I’ve been drinking too much’
His daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, 28, spoke out after his passing.
She said was ‘devastated’ and described the actor, who starred in 1980s hit Labyrinth, as a ‘legend in so many ways’.
Speaking to The Sun, Sophie, from Peterborough, said: ‘He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face.’
She added: ‘My dad I love you so much sleep tight.’
Paul was a father, grandfather and actor who would do anything for anyone, his devastated daughter said.
She spoke of how much he loved his daughters, son and girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64.
Maria described Paul as the love of her life who made her life complete in a heartbreaking tribute.
Paul Grant, in an interview conducted at London’s King’s Cross station last month (pictured), revealed that he had been ‘drinking too much’ and admitted to ‘blowing’ his Star Wars fortune
The father-of-three was collapsed outside that same station on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead. Pictured: Mr Grant in Labyrinth alongside David Bowie where he appeared as part of the goblin corps
A family friend also told the newspaper: ‘He was a lovely bloke. He’s always battled with drugs and alcohol addiction but he was a talented actor.
Paul Grant revealed just weeks before he died that he had been ‘drinking too much’ and admitted to ‘blowing’ his Star Wars fortune.
The actor, in an interview conducted at London’s King’s Cross station last month, explained how he had spent his money on sex workers and drugs.
Mr Grant declared that it was ‘my last day of drinking’, adding: ‘I need to stop doing this.’
Paul Grant has died at the age of 56, his family confirmed after he was found collapsed
Paul Grant also played a stunt double for Hoggle in Labyrinth (pictured)
Star Wars actor turned to drink, drugs and prostitutes after splitting from his wife
Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Paul Grant has tragically died at the age of 56 after a long battle with drugs and alcohol.
His family confirmed that the father-of-three was found collapsed outside King’s Cross station by police on Thursday afternoon.
He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead.
It has not yet been established what caused Mr Grant’s death, but the 4ft 4in-tall dwarf had previously opened up about how he turned to drink, drugs and prostitutes after splitting from his wife, while he was also rescued off the streets.
The actor spoke out about his troubles almost a decade a go when photos of him snorting cocaine surfaced online.
Aged 47 at the time, the dwarf who played a goblin in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, said his life spiralled out of control after breaking up with his wife Janet Crowson.
At the time, Paul told The Sunday Mirror that he had cheated on her several times and went ‘AWOL’ as he blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage.
He admitted: ‘I need help. I’ve been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I’m drinking and smoking what I can get.’
The father-of-three was found collapsed outside that same station on Thursday afternoon.
He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead, but his life support machine was switched off on Sunday, his family said. His cause of death has not yet been announced.
Mr Grant, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi where he starred alongside Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, suggested three weeks before his death that it was time to quit drinking.
‘I’ve been thinking about this, it’s my last day of drinking,’ the Harry Potter actor told the YouTube channel Revelation 22:13. ‘I’ve been drinking too much.’
Mr Grant admitted that he ‘had money’ from his work in the industry, but had spent all his funds on activities he seemingly found to be fun.
He said that he ‘enjoyed my life’ and joked: ‘You only live once, don’t ya?’
When asked if he was battling alcohol or drug addiction, he reiterated that he was ‘not addicted to anything’ and was ‘only enjoying myself.’
The actor said: ‘I can drink a whole f***ing day or a month, but I’m not addicted to it.’
Mr Grant, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, previously spoke out in 2014 about how he blew all his cash on drink, drugs and prostitutes as his life spiraled out of control after breaking up with his wife.
He told The Sunday Mirror he cheated on her a number of times, went ‘AWOL’ and blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage.
Speaking at the time, he admitted: ‘I need help. I’ve been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I’m drinking and smoking what I can get.’
‘I had a family, I was married, now I’m divorced. I’ve lost everything. I’ve not got anything, my things, pictures, clothes are all over the place,’ he added.
Family said he was found collapsed on Thursday and by Sunday his life support machine was turned off
Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Paul Grant pictured here with his partner Maria
Paul also appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps
‘I don’t know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, I spent it on drugs and prostitutes.’
Mr Grant is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters and one son as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren.
‘He called himself the ‘King of the Dwarfs’. It’s so sad.’
The 4ft 4in dwarf appeared as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and previously told the Mirror he stood in for actor Kenny Baker as R2D2 in the final scenes.
He played a goblin in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Mr Grant also appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps, as well as Hoggle’s stunt double.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Those struggling with alcohol addiction can also find support at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.
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