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Last updated on the 11 June 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: May 5 1957, Mbabane, Swaziland (now Eswatini).
Richard E. Grant’s father, Henrik Esterhuysen, was a Dutch/Afrikaner who served as the head of education for the British government administration in Swaziland. His mother, Leonne, was of English and German descent.
Richard E. Grant grew up in a privileged household, attending the prestigious Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa in Swaziland and later moving to Johannesburg to study English and drama at the University of Cape Town. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a career in acting, adopting the stage name Richard E. Grant to avoid confusion with another actor named Richard Grant.
Grant’s career took off in the late 1980s with his breakout role as Withnail in the cult classic comedy “Withnail & I” (1987). The film’s success catapulted Grant into the spotlight, and he went on to appear in a string of films, including “How to Get Ahead in Advertising” (1989) and “Jack and Sarah” (1995).
In recent years, Grant has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jack Hock in Marielle Heller’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018). The film earned Grant an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, among numerous other accolades.
Richard E. Grant was married to American film producer Joan Washington from 1986 to her death in 2021. The couple have one daughter, Olivia. Grant is known for his outspoken nature and his love of social media, where he regularly engages with fans and shares his thoughts on current events.
Richard E. Grant is a versatile and accomplished actor with a long and distinguished career. His work has been praised for its intelligence, wit and emotional depth. He is a true force in the world of cinema and continues to entertain audiences worldwide.
Suggested viewing
Withnail & I (1987)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5
Two unemployed actors, the flamboyant and alcoholic Withnail, and his more reserved companion Marwood, seek respite from their squalid Camden Town flat by retreating to the countryside cottage of Withnail’s eccentric uncle Monty. Their idyllic escape turns into a chaotic ordeal as they face the harsh realities of the English countryside, drunken escapades, and the unwelcome presence of Monty’s predatory advances.
Starring Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown, Michael Elphick, Daragh O’Malley, Michael Wardle, Una Brandon-Jones.
Posh Nosh (2003)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.9
Posh Nosh is a British comedy series that satirises the world of haute cuisine. The show follows the eccentric hosts, Simon and Minty Marchmont, as they showcase their absurdly pretentious recipes and offer exaggerated insights into the culinary world. It’s a hilarious exploration of food snobbery and extravagant dining experiences.
Top cast: Richard E. Grant, Arabella Weir, David Tennant, Sophie Winkleman, Simon Greenall, Lucy Robinson, Harriet Thorpe, Steven O’Donnell.
Jack and Sarah (1995)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6
Jack and Sarah is a heartwarming romantic comedy-drama. After his wife’s sudden death, Jack struggles to care for their infant daughter, Sarah. With the help of quirky friends and a nanny named Amy, Jack faces the challenges of single parenthood while discovering new love and finding happiness in unexpected places.
Top cast: Richard E. Grant, Samantha Mathis, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Cherie Lunghi, Imogen Stubbs, David Morrissey, Eileen Atkins.
Saltburn (2023)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1
A scholarship student from a troubled background finds himself drawn into the world of an affluent classmate and his eccentric family at their sprawling estate. As the summer progresses, the student’s fascination with his host escalates into an obsessive desire to belong, leading to a series of unsettling events that reveal the dark underbelly of the privileged class.
Top cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Carey Mulligan, Paul Rhys, Ewan Mitchell.
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.8
“How to Get Ahead in Advertising” is a satirical film directed by Bruce Robinson. It revolves around an advertising executive named Denis Dimbleby Bagley, who develops a talking pimple that becomes his alter ego. As the pimple takes control, it exposes the manipulative nature of the advertising industry and explores themes of identity and consumerism.
Starring Richard E. Grant, Rachel Ward, Richard Wilson, Jacqueline Tong, John Shrapnel, Susan Wooldridge, Hugh Armstrong, Mick Ford.
