Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant (born Richard Grant Esterhuysen on May 5, 1957, in Mbabane, Swaziland—now Eswatini) is a Swaziland-born English screen actor and presenter celebrated for his sharp wit, elegance, and emotional precision. He first broke through with his film debut as the unforgettable Withnail in the cult comedy Withnail and I (1987), a performance that quickly established him as a distinctive presence in British and international cinema.

Across decades, Grant has moved effortlessly between satire, romance, and prestige drama, appearing in acclaimed films such as The Player (as Tom Oakley), L.A. Story (as Roland Mackey), The Age of Innocence (as Lawrence “Larry” Lefferts), and Prêt-à-Porter (as Cort Romney). He has also embraced voice work, including Corpse Bride as Barkis Bittern, and continues to pop up in documentaries and specials like Attack of the Hollywood Clichés! as himself.

Grant earned major late-career acclaim for his supporting turn in Marielle Heller’s Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018), winning an Independent Spirit Award and receiving Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. On television, he has remained a sought-after character actor, with notable appearances spanning Frasier, Game of Thrones, and beyond.