Richard E. Grant: A Career Of Eccentric Brilliance

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, discover the extraordinary life and multifaceted career of Richard E. Grant, from his cult classic beginnings in Withnail and I to his recent strategic chaos on The Celebrity Traitors.

Richard Grant Esterhuysen entered the world on May 5, 1957, in Mbabane, Swaziland, which is now known as Eswatini. Growing up during a period of immense political and social transition in southern Africa shaped his early perspective. He attended the University of Cape Town, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and drama in 1979.

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Seeking greater professional opportunities, he packed his bags and relocated to Britain in 1982. Arriving in a new country required immense perseverance as he navigated auditions and regional theater. He officially adopted the professional stage name Richard E. Grant to distinguish himself in casting directories.

His big break arrived when writer and director Bruce Robinson cast him as the unforgettable, wine-drinking title character in Withnail and I. That breakout role paved the way for decades of diverse stage and screen work across Hollywood and British cinema. He spent years mastering eccentric characters, villains, and comedic roles before earning major industry awards recognition late in his career. His 2018 turn in Can You Ever Forgive Me? cemented his legacy as a powerhouse dramatic performer and brought him his first Academy Award nomination.

Withnail and I

Grant made his memorable feature film debut as the titular Withnail in the 1987 British comedy Withnail and I. Written and directed by Bruce Robinson, the movie follows two down-on-their-luck actors living in squalor in late-1960s London.

The film slowly grew into a massive cult classic over the decades. It established Grant as a master of intense, eccentric character work and launched his long cinematic journey.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Grant delivered a career-best dramatic performance as Jack Hock in the 2018 biographical film Can You Ever Forgive Me? Starring alongside Melissa McCarthy, he portrayed the charming yet troubled friend of literary counterfeiter Lee Israel.

His poignant performance earned him widespread critical adoration and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. He also secured nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Gosford Park

Robert Altman directed the lavish 2001 mystery comedy-drama Gosford Park, featuring Grant as the footman George. The star-studded ensemble cast navigated a weekend shooting party at an English country estate that turns into a murder mystery.

The film’s cast won numerous accolades for their collective performance. These honors included a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture and a Critics Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Grant joined the legendary sci-fi franchise as Allegiant General Pryde in the 2019 blockbuster Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. His character served as a loyal military leader within the First Order alongside Emperor Palpatine.

Appearing in a major studio tentpole introduced Grant to a massive global demographic of blockbuster fans. It showcased his ability to bring stately menace to high-budget space operas.

Television Work

Television has played a massive part in Grant’s career, highlighted by his recurring role across multiple eras of Doctor Who. He also starred as Sir Percy Blakeney in the swashbuckling historical adventure series The Scarlet Pimpernel between 1999 and 2000.

Other notable television credits include guest appearances on Frasier in 2004, a role in Game of Thrones in 2016, and a part in the anthology drama Suspect in 2022. He also lent his distinctive voice to projects like Captain Star and The Legends of Treasure Island.

Expanding his television footprint further, Grant joined the reality deception challenge as a Traitor on the second series of The Celebrity Traitors on the BBC. Selected by host Claudia Winkleman, his wildly eccentric gameplay and unfiltered approach immediately shook up the castle. By leaning heavily into his trademark theatricality, he quickly became the focal point of the show’s tension and strategic chaos.

Directing and Writing

Grant stepped behind the camera to write and direct the 2005 semi-autobiographical film Wah-Wah, which explored his tumultuous childhood in Swaziland. He documented the arduous process of making the movie in his book The Wah-Wah Diaries: The Making of a Film.

As an author, Grant has published several other titles, including his debut film diaries With Nails in 1996, the novel By Design in 1998, and his Sunday Times bestselling 2022 memoir A Pocketful of Happiness. He also launched his own unisex fragrance line named JACK in 2014.