Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Richard E Grant ‘heartbroken’ by death of wife of 35 years Joan Washington: ‘Do not forget us’

Washington had worked as film dialect coach for nearly 40 years

Isobel Lewis
Friday 03 September 2021 13:57 BST
Comments
Washington and Grant in 2016
Washington and Grant in 2016 (Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Richard E Grant has paid an emotional tribute to his wife Joan Washington, who has died.

The Can You Ever Forgive Me? star married Washington, a voice and dialect coach, in 1986, with the pair sharing a daughter, Olivia, and a stepson, Tom, from his wife’s previous relationship.

On Friday (3 September), Grant shared the news on Twitter that his wife had died on Thursday (2 September) night. No cause of death was given.

Posting a video of him and Washington dancing at their home, he wrote: “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 [broken heart emojis].”

Grant received an outpouring of support online, with Nigella Lawson commenting: “Heartbroken for you and @OliviaGranted. Sending all the love in the world.”

“Very sorry to hear this, Richard. Thinking of you,” David Baddiel commented.

Chris Addison shared his own memories of Washington, writing: “Richard! I’m devastated to hear this. She was a truly, truly wonderful woman and I’m privileged to have got to work with her. Huge condolences and love to you and Olivia.”

Washington had worked in the film industry for nearly 40 years, coaching actors such as Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway and Emma Stone on vocal and accent work.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in