ACTOR Richard E Grant has been unveiled as the host of the 2023 Baftas.
The actor rose to prominence by playing a drunk actor in Withnail And I in 1987.
Who is Richard E Grant?
The actor was born as Richard Grant Esterhuysen on May 5, 1957, in Mbabane, Swaziland.
He attended secondary school at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa.
In May 1976, he studied English and drama at the University of Cape Town before moving to London to pursue a career in acting.
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He adopted his stage name when he moved to Britain in 1982.
As of 2023, the actor has an estimated net worth of $4million (£3.5million).
What has Richard E Grant starred in?
Richard rose to fame for playing the eponymous lead character in 1987's comedy Withnail And I.
He received further recognition for his role as John Seward in 1992's American gothic horror Bram Stoker's Dracula alongside Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, and Anthony Hopkins.
He's played Dr Zander Rice in the 2017 superhero film Logan and Izembaro in the sixth season of the HBO series Game Of Thrones.
In July 2018, Lucasfilm confirmed the former Downton Abbey and Doctor Who star Richard would appear in the as-of-yet-untitled Star Wars: Episode IX.
In 2018, Richard also starred in Channel 4's Hang Ups.
In 2019, he received his first Oscar nomination for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
He played Jack Hock alongside Melissa McCarthy (Lee Israel), a writer who makes money by forging and selling letters from deceased authors and playwrights.
He lost out to Mahershala Ali.
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Grant portrayed Sir Walter Elliot in Carrie Cracknell's 2022 adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Is Richard E Grant related to Hugh Grant?
You may think that these two have the same surname, but actually, they don't.
The star was actually born Richard Grant Esterhuysen and adopted his stage name upon registering with Equity.
This means that he has no relation to Bafta-winning actor Hugh.
Is Richard E. Grant married?
Joan Washington was the loving wife of actor Richard.
The couple met when she taught an accent session at an acting school in December 1982 and married in 1986.
She worked as a voice coach and worked with hundreds of other stars as they prepared for movies and television shows.
In 2021, Grant confirmed the "love of his life" Joan had passed away in a heartbreaking tweet.
The Withnail And I star said: "ONLY YOU! Joan – Love of my Life & Giver of Life to our daughter Olivia.
"Our hearts are broken with the loss of your Life last night. 35 years married & 38 together.
"To be truly known and seen by you, is your immeasurable gift.
“Do not forget us, sweet Monkee-mine."
Does Richard E. Grant have any children?
Grant and Joan have a daughter Olivia together.
He is also stepdad to Joan's son Tom from a previous relationship.
Tragically the couple suffered three miscarriages before Olivia was born.
Their first child, Tiffany, died shortly after birth after being born prematurely.
