Richard E Grant, 65, is an actor and television host. The Oscar-nominated actor recently shared that the coronavirus lockdown had given him the “extraordinary gift” of time with his wife Joan Washington, who died in September 2021 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

On BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, he said music had been an emotional support for him through his grief and was vital to “the fantasy of finding that person you loved”.

In the comedy Withnail and I (1987), he played the debut character of Withnail. Grant won several awards for his performance as Jack Hock in Marielle Heller’s drama film Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018), such as the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Award and Academy Award and won several prestigious accolades including BAFTAs and the Golden Globe.

Who is Richard E Grant?

Richard E Grant, also known as Richard Grant Esterhuysen, was born on May 5 in 1957 in Mbabane, Swaziland to Henrik Esterhuysen and Leonne Esterhuysen. His father was the head of education for the British government administration in the British Protectorate of Swaziland. His father had English and Dutch/Afrikaner ancestry and his mother was of English and German descent.

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In 1986, Richard E Grant married his voice coach, Joan Washington. The couple had one daughter, Olivia, and Richard has a stepson, Tom, from Joan’s previous marriage, who was seven years old when the couple met. Joan was eight years older than Richard and they met when the latter asked for her assistance in perfecting a Belfast accent for a role.

Richard E. Grant’s Career

Richard E Grant is perhaps best known for his breakthrough role as the titular Withnail in the 1987 film Withnail and I, in which he co-starred with Paul McGann.

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He was also recognised for his performance as John Seward in Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992. In the sixth season of

, he played Dr. Zander Rice Logan and Izembaro. Henry & June, The Age of Innocence, Jack and Sarah, Spice World, Gosford Park, The Iron Lady, and Jackie are among the other notable films.

He has appeared on television in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Frasier, Marple, Girls, Downton Abbey, and Jekyll and Hyde, as well as hosting a few documentaries, including Hotel Secrets. In 2021, he appeared as a mature version of the title character in the Marvel TV series Loki.

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