Actor-comedian Russell Brand denied entry into South Africa twice

Actor and comedian Russell Brand twice was denied entry into South Africa on Friday, causing him to cancel four stand-up shows in Johannesburg for his Messiah Complex World Tour.

At first, Mr. Brand was banned from boarding the flight to South Africa. His publicist, Debra de Souza, said he was denied access to the plane because “he did not have two free pages in his passport,” the Daily Mail reported.

Mr. Brand tweeted at the time: “Tonight’s J-burg show cancelled. SA authorities REFUSE TO LET ME INTO YOUR COUNTRY. Trying to resolve it.”

He was forced to cancel his show in Johannesburg on Friday night, but he soon caught word that he would be able to get into the country, as he tweeted: “South Africa! I’m allowed in! AUTHORITY YIELDED TO YOUR PEOPLE POWER! I’ll be on stage tomorrow night in J-Burg #MessiahComplex,” the Daily Mail reported.

Less than two hours later, Mr. Brand again was stopped at the boarding gate.

“Banned from South Africa. Here ready to go. Refused entry. Hope I can come soon #MessiahComplex,” he tweeted.

Organizers are scrambling to reschedule the event for next week to give Mr. Brand time to sort out his documentation, the Daily Mail said.

Entertainment Weekly reported that the star has a history of immigration problems. In 2008, he was held at Kennedy International Airport in New York. In 2011, he was denied entry into Canada, and he also once was deported from Japan while visiting then-wife Katy Perry.