Russell Brand has been selected as  “CinemaCon’s Comedy Star of the Year.” The honor was presented by Mitch Neuhauser, the company’s managing director at the inaugural, “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Brand will next star in the title role of the romantic comedy “Arthur,” from Warner Bros. Pictures opening Friday April 8th.

“Since his hilarious turn as rocker Aldous Snow in 2008’s ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall,’ Brand has been making audiences laugh around the world with his unique character portrayals and unforgettable comedic timing,” noted Neuhauser. “Brand is one of the most entertaining comedians on the big screen today and we could not be more honored to present him with the CinemaCon Comedy Star of the Year Award.” The Coca-Cola Company, Official Presenting Sponsor of CinemaCon, hosted the final night gala awards program.  

In his fresh new role as ‘Arthur,’ Brand re-invents the role of loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, an irresponsible charmer who has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge of choosing between an arranged marriage to ambitious corporate exec. Susan (Jennifer Garner), that will insure his lavish lifestyle, or an uncertain future with Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the woman he really loves. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and learn what it means to be a man.  Brand also serves as an executive producer on the film.

Russell Brand first shot to fame in the U.S. starring as rocker Aldous Snow in the Judd Apatow-produced hit comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He later reprised the role in the hit comedy “Get Him to the Greek,” starring opposite Jonah Hill. Most recently, Brand lent his voice to the Easter Bunny in “Hop,” and Dr. Nefario in the hit animated feature film “Despicable Me.” He has also starred, alongside Helen Mirren, in Julie Taymor’s adaption of “The Tempest,” and in “Bedtime Stories,” with Adam Sandler and Keri Russell. His writing debut, My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up, became a huge success in the United Kingdom, before being released in the U.S. where it stayed on the New York Times’ bestseller list for five consecutive weeks. The follow up, My Booky Wook 2: This Time it’s Personal, was published in 2010.