Rupert Alexander Grint (born 24 August 1988) is an English actor and producer. He rose to prominence for his portrayal of Ron Weasley, one of the three main characters in the Harry Potter film series.
Grint was cast as Ron at the age of 11, having previously acted only in school plays and at his local theatre group. From 2001 to 2011, he starred in all eight Harry Potter films alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
Rupert Grint went on to star in several films post-Potter including Cherrybomb (2009), Wild Target (2010), and Into the White (2012). He has expanded into producing, founding his own production company, Clayton Industries, and executive producing and starring in the comedy series Sick Note (2017–2018) and the crime drama Snatch (2017–2018). Grint co-starred with Megan Mullally and Nick Frost in the comedy series Sick Note which premiered on Sky One in the UK in November 2017.
Early Life and Family
Rupert Alexander Grint was born on 24 August 1988 in Harlow, Essex, England to Nigel Grint, a dealer in racing memorabilia, and Jo Grint. He has one brother named James, who is three years younger than him. Grint comes from a family of entrepreneurs and business people. His great-grandfather on his mother’s side, James Howard Grint, was the co-founder of the chemist chain J. Grint & Sons.
Grint grew up in Hertfordshire, the county directly north of London. As a child, he was once asked to play a fish in a play at his school, Top Hat Stage School. He also attended Ranelagh Church of England Primary School before enrolling at Richard Hale School. Grint took performing arts classes as an extra-curricular activity.
Early Acting Career
Grint became interested in acting after being cast as a fish in a play at his school when he was 6 years old. He began performing in local theatre productions and joined the Top Hat Stage and Screen School, a local theatre group that cast him as a peanut in a play when he was 11.
In 1999, at the age of 11, Rupert Grint was cast to play Ron Weasley, one of the main characters in the film adaptation of the popular book series Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. The casting agent was impressed by Grint’s self-confessed “bright red hair and freckles” that made him a perfect fit for the role of Ron.
Grint auditioned for the role by sending in a video he made of himself, rapping about why he should be cast in the film. After several callbacks, Grint was confirmed for the role of Ron Weasley alongside Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger.
Achieving Success with the Harry Potter Series
Rupert Grint made his acting debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), the first film in the Harry Potter series. Over the next ten years from 2001 to 2011, he would reprise the role of Ron Weasley in all eight Harry Potter films alongside his co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
The worldwide success of the Harry Potter film series turned Grint into a global star and household name along with Radcliffe and Watson. As the character Ron Weasley, Grint displayed excellent comedic timing and emotional depth that endeared him to fans.
Here is a list of all the Harry Potter films Grint starred in with his role:
| Film Title | Year Released | Role Played |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | 2001 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | 2002 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | 2004 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | 2005 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | 2007 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | 2009 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 | 2010 | Ron Weasley |
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 | 2011 | Ron Weasley |
Grint’s portrayal of Ron Weasley earned him critical acclaim and popularity among fans. He was praised for his comedic skills and for capturing Ron’s emotions, insecurities, and loyalty as a character. Along with his fellow cast members, Grint won the Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent for his first performance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2002.
For his performance in the last films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Part 2, Grint won the BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Actor in 2011. Grint was also honoured with a Hand & Footprint Ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in July 2011 along with the Harry Potter cast.
Life and Career after Harry Potter
After completing the decade-long Harry Potter franchise, Rupert Grint moved on to explore more diverse acting roles in films of various genres.
Some of his notable works include:
- Cherrybomb (2009) – Drama starring Grint as Malachy, a teenager dealing with drugs and crime. This marked his move away from child and family friendly films.
- Wild Target (2010) – Comedy starring Grint as Tony, an apprentice hitman. This was his first lead role in a comedy.
- Into the White (2012) – Drama depicting a World War II story of German and British soldiers banding together for survival. Grint plays a British pilot named Robert.
- The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman (2013) – Romance and crime film starring Grint in a supporting role.
- Moonwalkers (2015) – Comedy starring Grint as a CIA agent in a fictional story about the 1969 moon landing.
In 2017, Grint expanded his career into television by executive producing and starring in the crime-comedy Snatch on Sony Crackle based on the 2001 film by Guy Ritchie. From 2017 to 2018, Grint also starred alongside Nick Frost and Don Johnson in the television series Sick Note on Sky One where he played the main character Daniel Glass.
In 2021, Grint starred in the psychological horror film Knock at the Cabin directed by M. Night Shyamalan. He has also been cast as Ronald McDonald in the upcoming biopic about the fast-food chain McDonald’s.
In addition to acting, Grint has ventured into real estate investing and has a portfolio of over £24 million in UK properties. He co-founded a production company called Clayton Industries in 2019 which has produced films like Knock at the Cabin.
Personal Life
Despite becoming a globally popular star at a young age, Rupert Grint has managed to keep his personal life fairly private. He has been in a relationship with fellow English actress Georgia Groome since 2011. The couple has a daughter named Wednesday Grint born in 2020.
Grint currently lives outside London in Hertfordshire, not far from where he grew up. Though immensely successful from the Harry Potter films, he maintains a low-key lifestyle. Grint has stated in interviews that he prefers to live as normally as possible.
Known to be kind, down-to-earth and family-oriented, Grint maintains a close bond with his Harry Potter co-stars calling them family. He is involved with several charitable causes including Little Star Award, a charity that provides grants to severely ill children.
Despite all his success achieved at such an early age, Grint has remained remarkably grounded and untouched by fame. He is regarded in the industry by co-workers and fans as a polite, humble and gentle soul devoted to his craft.
Conclusion: The Magic of Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint soared to worldwide fame in one of the most commercially successful film franchises of all time as Ron Weasley, everyone’s favourite Harry Potter sidekick. Yet despite achieving immense success, critical acclaim and popularity in his teenage years, Grint has grown up to be remarkably down-to-earth and grounded.
Grint brought the character of Ron Weasley to life with his instinctive acting talent, comedic timing and ability to portray emotion. His natural charisma and boyish charm captivated audiences across the globe during the decade long run of the Harry Potter films.
After Harry Potter, Grint seamlessly transitioned into more mature roles across different genres proving his versatility as an actor. He continues to excel in both comedic and dramatic roles in films and TV series, bringing his signature warmth and likeability to every character.
Away from the screen, Grint maintains his privacy and a quiet lifestyle, valuing family and personal relationships above all else. His humility, kindness and devotion to his work makes him one of the most beloved actors among both critics and fans who have literally seen him grow up on screen. Still only in his 30s, Grint’s story is one of great talent combined with even greater humility.
FAQs about Rupert Grint’s Life and Career
When and where was Rupert Grint born?
Rupert Grint was born on 24 August 1988 in Harlow, Essex, England. He grew up in Hertfordshire with his parents and younger brother.
How old was Rupert when he was cast in Harry Potter?
Rupert Grint was 11 years old when he was cast in the role of Ron Weasley in the first Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001).
What were some of Rupert’s notable roles after the Harry Potter series?
Some of Rupert Grint’s notable roles after Harry Potter include films like Cherrybomb (2009), Wild Target (2010), Into the White (2012), and Moonwalkers (2015). On television, he starred in Snatch (2017-2018) and Sick Note (2017-2018).
Does Rupert Grint have a production company?
Yes, Rupert Grint co-founded a production company in 2019 called Clayton Industries which has produced films like Knock at the Cabin that Grint starred in.
Is Rupert Grint active on social media?
No, Rupert Grint does not have public social media accounts and likes to maintain a private personal life away from fame and media attention.
What is Rupert Grint’s net worth?
While exact figures vary, Rupert Grint’s net worth is estimated to be around £24 million or higher from his acting career and real estate investments.
Is Rupert Grint married and does he have children?
Rupert Grint has been in a long-term relationship with actress Georgia Groome since 2011. They have a daughter named Wednesday Grint born in 2020.
Where does Rupert Grint currently live?
Rupert Grint lives outside of London in Hertfordshire, England, not far from where he grew up and his family lives.
How did Rupert get the role of Ron Weasley?
Rupert Grint was cast as Ron Weasley after sending in a video of himself rapping about why he should get the role. His natural red hair and resemblence to the character sealed the deal.
What awards has Rupert Grint won for Harry Potter?
For Harry Potter, Rupert Grint won the 2002 Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent and the 2011 BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Actor.