Richard E. Grant Reveals His Disturbing Views on Watching His Own Films

On November 6, 2024, Richard E. Grant discussed his unique working preferences and personal anecdotes during the Dish from Waitrose podcast. The 67-year-old actor explained that he prefers self-taping auditions from home instead of in-person auditions, as it allows for retakes without the stress of a live audience. He described in-person auditions as ‘soul-destroying,’ particularly when facing competitors who are friends with the casting panel. Additionally, Grant shared that he has never watched any of the films he has starred in, describing his first screening experience as horrifying. He recalled being so appalled by his performance that he offered a refund to the film's director, Bruce Robinson. Grant's discomfort with viewing his own performances stems from a fear of confronting his physical appearance on screen, saying he finds it unsettling. A fascinating aspect of his conversation was his long-time obsession with Barbra Streisand, which led him to commission a two-foot-tall sculpture of her head for his garden. He revealed that he shared this passion during a two-hour, one-on-one conversation with her five years ago, where she humorously referred to his enthusiasm as 'crazy.' Overall, Grant gave insight into his psychology as an actor, his admiration for icons, and personal anecdotes reflecting on his experiences in the film industry.