Richard E Grant, the renowned actor known for his roles in films like Withnail and I and Gosford Park, opened up about how some of his friends cut contact with him after the death of his wife. Joan Washington, a dialect coach, passed away in 2021 after battling lung cancer. Grant revealed that these friends felt uncomfortable talking about the tragic loss and chose to distance themselves instead.
During an interview at the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, the 66-year-old actor shared his disappointment regarding the behavior of those friends. He expressed his intention to never speak to them again. Grant also narrated an incident involving his Swedish neighbors, who seemingly ignored him after he sold the family’s holiday home in Provence. He felt that their disregard for him was akin to canceling out Joan’s existence.
The actor emphasized the importance of talking and acknowledging the deceased person rather than avoiding the topic altogether. He stated that refusing to discuss the person who has passed away denies their existence and can be hurtful or even mean. Grant mentioned that he finds this tendency to be particularly prevalent in English culture but believes it should be addressed differently.
Grant acknowledged that he is still in denial about Joan’s loss and shared an emotional Instagram video on her posthumous birthday. He expressed the heartbreak of looking through photographs of their 38 years together and the struggle to come to terms with her absence.
In summary, Richard E Grant candidly discussed the isolation he experienced from certain friends after his wife’s death and highlighted the importance of talking about the deceased. His reflections shed light on the need for empathy and support during times of grief.
