JOAN Washington was the wife of actor Richard E Grant for 35 years.
The actor announced the death of his wife in 2021, in a heart-breaking message to his social media followers.
Who was Richard E Grant's wife Joan Washington?
Joan Washington was the loving wife of actor Richard E Grant.
Born on December 21, 1946, in Aberdeen, she worked as a voice coach and actress.
Joan met Richard when she taught an accent session at an acting school in December 1982.
They married in 1986.
She worked with hundreds of other stars as they prepared for movies and television shows.
She is most famously known for her work on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Crimson Peak, and Red Sparrow.
Richard revealed he hadn't ever considered getting married until he met Joan.
But after spending six weeks apart when he visited family in South Africa, he realised he wanted to make the commitment.
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He explained: "Before I got married, I didn't hold any store by it.
"My parents were divorced when I was 11 and it made such a profound impression on my life that I suppose I thought that by not getting married, you could avoid your life being carved in two. But that changed."
The couple remained married until her death aged 71, on September 2, 2021.
The actor posted a heartfelt message to his Twitter on her birthday December 21, 2022, in which he said what an inspiration she was and still is to him saying: “I miss her more than is measurable.”
He has found life a tough transition without his wife and has shared to social media platforms how strange he is finding living without her but is focussed on keeping his promise to her to "find a pocketful of happiness in every single day".
What was Joan Washington's cause of death?
Joan lost an eight-month battle after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
She was diagnosed in 2020, two days before Christmas.
He paid tribute to his wife of 35 years after she tragically died.
The actor confirmed the "love of his life" 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."
Richard accompanied the heartbreaking tribute with a video of him dancing with Joan.
Do Richard E Grant and Joan Washington have children?
The couple have a daughter Olivia together and Richard 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 being born prematurely.
In February 2023, Richard attended a pre-Bafta filmmakers dinner at Bourdon House in London, with his daughter Olivia.
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The actor will be hosting the Bafta awards ceremony with This Morning presenter Alison Hammond.
He has spoken how in awe he is of his fellow thespians and is relishing the opportunity to host the ceremony.
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