Richard E Grant’s career has been a breathtaking tapestry woven over four decades, encompassing Shakespearean stages, the vibrant chaos of Spice World, and the vast galaxies of Star Wars. He’s shared screen space with cinematic giants like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Emerald Fennell, a testament to his remarkable versatility.
Beyond the blockbuster roles, Grant has fearlessly embraced the unconventional – a dazzling drag queen in *Everybody’s Talking About Jamie*, a formidable villain in the world of *Loki*, and a poignant Bob Cratchit alongside Sir Patrick Stewart’s Scrooge. His range is simply astonishing, a constant reinvention that keeps audiences captivated.
Now, he steps into the somber world of *Nuremberg*, a film confronting one of history’s darkest chapters. He portrays Sir David Maxwell Fyfe, the British prosecutor who ultimately secured the conviction of Hermann Göring, Hitler’s right-hand man, played by Russell Crowe. Grant describes his character as “the cavalry at the eleventh hour,” a crucial figure in bringing justice to the architects of unimaginable horror.
Preparation for the role was profoundly impacted by access to historical records. Grant immersed himself in footage of the actual Nuremberg trials, studying Sir David Maxwell Fyfe’s mannerisms, his voice, his very presence. “Seeing the real man is a real gift as an actor,” he shares, acknowledging the weight of responsibility to accurately portray a figure with living relatives.
The production of *Nuremberg* itself presented an unprecedented challenge. Crowe and Michael Shannon, portraying Justice Robert H. Jackson, requested that their courtroom scenes be filmed in a single, uninterrupted 22-minute take. Grant, initially scheduled for a later day, found himself thrust into the intensity of the moment. “A slight tightening of muscles in various parts of your body that you hadn’t experienced quite that way before!” he recalls with a laugh.
The film doesn’t shy away from the brutal reality of the Holocaust. Vanderbilt, the director, deliberately shielded the cast from the harrowing concentration camp footage until filming, wanting to capture their authentic, raw reactions. Grant remembers the courtroom falling into “pin-drop silence” as the images were revealed.
“It’s hard to describe how shocking that really is – and was and continues to be,” Grant reflects, describing the images of bulldozers pushing piles of bodies into pits. “It’s awful to watch, but you can’t look away at the same time, and you hope that it’s never going to happen again.” The weight of history settled heavily on the set.
Beyond his acclaimed acting, Grant has unexpectedly become a social media sensation, captivating nearly a million followers on Instagram. This digital persona emerged organically, sparked by his role in *Can You Ever Forgive Me?* and a playful habit of taking selfies with fellow stars during the awards season.
He embraced the opportunity with characteristic charm, recognizing it as a unique moment in his career. “I knew that I would never, before or since, have a moment in my career like that – it was like being at Madame Tussauds for real,” he explains. His online presence is a delightful mix of the mundane and the extraordinary, offering a glimpse into his life and a connection with his audience.
His Instagram also became a space for vulnerability and honesty following the loss of his wife, Joan Washington, in 2021. He shared his grief openly, resonating with countless others navigating their own losses. “I posted very honestly about what it is like to lose somebody that you’ve been with for 38 years – and that has resonated with people,” he says.
And then there’s *Withnail and I*, the 1987 cult classic that continues to define a generation of actors. Grant acknowledges the film’s enduring appeal, particularly among those who understand the precarious balance of “a large ego and also chronically low self-esteem and imposter syndrome.”
He’s been approached by countless actors over the years, including Robin Williams, Sean Penn, and even Bette Midler, all eager to express their admiration for the film. “The first time I went to LA…they both came up and said, ‘You’re that guy from that film with the unemployed actor’ – I was absolutely gobsmacked.”
Grant readily admits to feeling a kinship with Withnail, even today. “Oh, every day!” he insists. “There’s always somebody who’s got the part that you wanted or that you feel that you should have got.” He acknowledges the constant struggle to avoid bitterness, a challenge faced by many in the industry.
His 2019 Oscar nomination for *Can You Ever Forgive Me?* undeniably shifted the trajectory of his career. He savored the recognition from his peers, the feeling of finally “arriving,” even if only for a moment. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin already knowing his name “really takes you aback,” he admits.
The nomination opened doors to new opportunities, including roles in *Saltburn* and *Death of a Unicorn*. But Grant remains grounded, aware that the initial “honeymoon moment” eventually fades. He’s grateful for the recognition, however, noting that even on *Nuremberg* posters, he’s billed as “Academy Award nominee.”
Tom Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner, offered a comforting perspective: “You know, that never goes away.” Hanks also shared a humorous observation – people often mistakenly believe Grant actually *won* the Oscar. “When I came back to London…people came up to me in the street and said, ‘Oh, great that you won!’” Grant recalls with a smile. “It’s a sweet moment.”
