Rupert Friend
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1981-10-01
    • Born Place: Oxfordshire, England, UK

Rupert Friend

Rupert William Anthony Friend (born October 1, 1981, in Cambridge, England) is a British actor, director, screenwriter, and lyricist known for his chameleonic performances and compelling range. Raised in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, he initially aspired to be an archaeologist but found his calling in acting after being inspired by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He honed his craft at the esteemed Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before launching into the industry. Friend earned early acclaim with award‑winning newcomer performances in The Libertine (2004) and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2005), followed by notable roles such as George Wickham in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Lieutenant Kotler in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), and Prince Albert in The Young Victoria (2009) . He continued to challenge himself with diverse roles in Starred Up (2013) and earned international recognition as CIA operative Peter Quinn on Homeland (2012–2017), receiving an Emmy nomination and multiple ensemble award nods. Throughout the 2010s, Friend broadened his portfolio with roles like Vasily Stalin in The Death of Stalin (2017), Theo van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate (2018), and Ernest Donovan in Strange Angel (2018–2019). In the 2020s, he forged a creative partnership with director Wes Anderson, appearing in The French Dispatch (2021), Asteroid City (2023), and the Netflix shorts The Swan and The Rat Catcher. He later took on dramatic roles such as James Whitehouse in Anatomy of a Scandal (2022) and the Grand Inquisitor in Disney+’s Obi‑Wan Kenobi (2022). Friend also works behind the camera, writing, directing, and producing award‑winning shorts like The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers (2008) and Steve (2010), even contributing lyrics for jazz ensemble Kairos4Tet .. In his personal life, he is married to former athlete and actress Aimee Mullins (since 2016) and previously dated Pride & Prejudice co-star Keira Knightley . Standing 6′1″, he remains private yet cultured—an avid reader and musically inclined creative. A notable upcoming project: Friend is set to appear in Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025), joining the blockbuster franchise and adding another high-profile film to his impressive résumé.

Person History