'I blew it all': Inside 'Star Wars' actor Paul Grant's troubled life amid his death at 56
PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND: 'Star Wars' and 'Harry Potter' fame Paul Grant died at the age of 56 on Thursday, March 16. Police found him collapsed outside Kings Cross station. He was later declared brain dead at a hospital. The 56-year-old's death comes after a long battle with drugs and alcohol, although an apparent cause of death has not been established.
Previously Paul, who famously played an Ewok in 'Return of the Jedi' opened up about his dark times of how he turned to drink, drugs, and prostitutes after splitting from his wife Janet Crawson split. The father of three also revealed how he was rescued from the streets by a couple.
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Who is Paul Grant's wife?
Paul and Janet Crawson were married for years and had three children together. Their marriage collapsed and the pair split over a decade ago after Paul admitted cheating on her. In 2014, Paul said, "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." "I don't know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, I spent it on drugs and prostitutes," he told Mirror, reported Daily Mail. "I need help. I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get," he admitted.
Inside troubled past
Paul, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, claimed he hit rock bottom when the 22-year-old mother-of-two, Chloe McCarthy, and her boyfriend took pity on him and rescued him from living on the streets. The actor took prostitutes back to the bedsit where he was staying and also sold his car to buy alcohol and drugs. McCarthy revealed he would take "any drugs he could get his hands on," and drink out of cheap out-of-date lager.
McCarthy claimed she would show him photos of him being intoxicated but it did not much of a difference to the famed 'Labyrinth' actor. In the wake of his chaotic lifestyle, his professional career also dried up after he stopped receiving work. The 56-year-old is survived by his girlfriend, Maria Dwyer, his two daughters and a son as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren.
Maria described Paul as the "love of my life." She said, "The funniest man I know. He made my life complete. Life is never going to be the same without him," revealed The Sun. Paul's daughter Sophie recalled the actor as someone who "always brought a smile and laughter to everyone's face." She said, "My dad, I love you so much sleep tight."
