Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1957-05-05
- Born Place: Mbabane, Swaziland
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant (born Richard Grant Esterhuysen on May 5, 1957, in Mbabane, Swaziland, now Eswatini) is a highly prolific Swazi-born English actor, writer, and director, known for his distinctive voice, theatrical flair, and ability to portray both chaotic, flamboyant, and subtle, dramatic characters. After studying English and Drama at the University of Cape Town and co-founding the Troupe Theatre Company, he moved to London in 1982. He achieved instant cult recognition with his film debut as the perpetually drunk, unemployed actor Withnail in the 1987 black comedy "Withnail & I." This role launched a career spanning over 80 films, including major appearances in blockbusters like "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992), "Gosford Park" (2001), "Logan" (2017), "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (2019), and the MCU series Loki (2021) as Classic Loki. His critical acclaim peaked in 2018 with his Oscar-nominated performance as the charming, cynical drug dealer Jack Hock in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Beyond acting, Grant is an accomplished author, having published his film diaries and a memoir about his directorial debut, the autobiographical film "Wah-Wah" (2005). He was married to the esteemed dialect coach Joan Washington from 1986 until her death in 2021.
