Rupert Graves
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
A handsome, charismatic, dark-haired player equally at home in period or contemporary dramas, Rupert Graves first gained international attention as the younger brother of Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) in the Merchant-Ivory production "A Room With a View" (1986).
Graves got his start in show business as a plate-spinning clown with a traveling circus. He made his acting debut as a regular on the British series "Vice Versa" (1980-81) and went to appear as an English officer in support of Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson in the BBC series "Fortunes of War" (1988; shown in the USA on PBS' "Masterpiece Theatre").
On stage, Graves made his debut in "The Killing of Mr. Toad" (1983) and appeared in the London premiere of "Torch Song Trilogy" (1984), opposite Harvey Fierstein, and Martin Sherman's "A Madhouse in Goa" (1989), opposite Vanessa Redgrave. He was twice directed by "A Room With a View" co-star Simon Callow, in the title role of "Amadeus" and in the 1995 stage version of "Les Enfants du Paradis" (1995).
But Graves has made the biggest impact on film. Following his debut, he was featured in the Merchant-Ivory production of "Maurice" (1987), as the working-class game keeper who seduces the title character (James Wilby). In Charles Sturridge's "A Handful of Dust" (1988), based on the Evelyn Waugh novel, Graves was John Beaver, the penniless socialite who begins an affair with his host's wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) with dire consequences. He reteamed with Sturridge for "Where Angels Fear to Tread" (1991), another costume drama in which he romanced Helena Bonham Carter. His first modern role in films was as Jeremy Irons' journalist son in Louis Malle's "Damage" (1992). Graves returned to period fare as the monarch's equerry in "The Madness of King George" (1994). In 1995, he delivered an excellent portrayal of an irresponsible young man who rekindles a relationship with a former classmate in the offbeat "Different for Girls." The same year, he won praise as a homeless alcoholic who witnesses a murder in the thriller "The Innocent Sleep." Graves also gained kudos for his turn as a drifter who begins an affair with a much older married woman (Julie Walters) with tragic consequences in the based-on-fact black comedy "Intimate Relations" (1996). Graves reteamed with Bonham Carter and Scott Thomas for "The Revengers Comedies" (1997) and was in support of Vanessa Redgrave in Marleen Gorris' "Mrs. Dalloway" (also 1997).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1980
First TV role in the British series "Vice Versa"
1983
Stage debut as Mr. Toad in "The Killing of Mr. Toad"
1984
Co-starred opposite Harvey Fierstein in London production of "Torch Song Trilogy"
1986
Feature debut as Freddy Honeychurch in "A Room With a View"
1988
Appeared in TV series debut on the BBC produced, "Fortunes of War" (aired in the US on PBS)
1989
Starred opposite Vanessa Redgrave in London production of "A Madhouse in Goa"
1990
Network premiere in the CBS TV-movie, "The Plot to Kill Hitler"
1995
First leading performance in features "Different for Girls"
1997
Had major role in London production of David Rabe's play "Hurlyburly"
1998
Appeared with Kevin Spacey in stage revival of "The Iceman Cometh"
1999
Starred opposite Samantha Morton in the romantic drama "Dreaming of Joseph Lees"
1999
Broadway acting debut in the ensemble of "Closer"
1999
Played a contemporary Scottish lawyer who daydreams about being a 17th Century soldier in "Soldier's Leap"
2000
Co-starred in the London production of "The Caretaker" with Michael Gambon
2001
Had featured role in "Room to Rent"
2002
Returned to Broadway playing Dr. Frederick Treves in the revival of "The Elephant Man"
2002
Co-starred in the action feature "Extreme Ops"
2006
Starred in the Wachowski brothers' "V for Vendetta" based on the acclaimed graphic novel by author Alan Moore
2007
Co-starred in the Frank Oz directed, "Death at a Funeral"
Family
Companions
