Ross Kemp facts for kids
Ross James Kemp, born on July 21, 1964, is a famous English actor, writer, and TV host. He became very well known for playing Grant Mitchell in the BBC show EastEnders. He also acted in Emmerdale as Graham Lodsworth and in Birds of a Feather as Detective Inspector Monk. Ross also hosted the award-winning TV series Ross Kemp on Gangs.
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Early Life and Education
Ross Kemp was born in Barking, Essex, England. His mother, Jean, was a hairdresser. His father, John, was a police superintendent. Ross has a brother named Darren, who makes films for the BBC. Ross went to Shenfield High School. He later studied acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting Out in Acting
After finishing drama school, Ross Kemp got his first acting job. He appeared alongside famous actors like John Thaw and Richard Wilson. He also acted in training films for the UK's Ministry of Defence.
Ross then appeared in the TV show Emmerdale as Graham Lodsworth. He had guest roles in London's Burning and Birds of a Feather. In 1987, he had a small part in the movie Playing Away. He also appeared in a Kellogg's cereal advert.
Playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders
Ross Kemp is most famous for his role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders. He first appeared in February 1990. His character quickly became a big part of the show. Grant was known for his tough personality and his marriages.
Ross left EastEnders in October 1999 after almost 10 years. His character moved to Brazil. He returned to the show in 2005 for a short time. His co-star, Barbara Windsor, helped convince him to come back. He also returned in 2006 for a few months.
In 2016, Ross came back to EastEnders for a few episodes. This was for the storyline about Grant's mother, Peggy Mitchell, played by Barbara Windsor. He also had more short appearances later that year. It has been confirmed that Ross will return as Grant again in 2025. This will be for the show's 40th anniversary.
Other Acting Roles
After leaving EastEnders the first time, Ross Kemp moved to ITV. He starred in the film Hero of the Hour. In 2000, he was in A Christmas Carol. He also played lead roles in the TV series Without Motive and In Defence.
From 2002 to 2006, he played Staff Sergeant Henry Garvie in Ultimate Force. This show was about the British Special Air Service. In 2004, he played "Cinna" in the TV film Spartacus.
Ross also appeared in an episode of the BBC comedy Extras in 2005. He was a guest host on The Paul O'Grady Show. In 2009, he appeared on Top Gear. He was the "Man in Boot" during a car test.
In 2022, Ross Kemp started hosting the game show Bridge of Lies on BBC One. He also hosts special celebrity versions of the show. Ross has said that TV roles are changing. Actors now do many different types of shows.
Documentary Presenter
In 2004, Ross Kemp began making documentaries. His first was Ross Kemp on Gangs. This series won a BAFTA Award. He then made Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, Ross Kemp in Search of Pirates, and Ross Kemp: Battle for the Amazon. He also presented Ross Kemp: Extreme World.
In 2022, Ross had planned to film a documentary about the Titanic shipwreck. He wanted to dive to the wreck in a special submarine. However, the company making the documentary decided the submarine was not safe. So, the project was stopped. In September 2024, Ross launched a new documentary series called "Mafia and Britain".
Author and Writer
Ross Kemp has written several books. Many of his early books were connected to his TV documentaries. In 2011, he published his first fiction book, Devil to Pay. His novel Moving Target came out in 2012. In September 2023, he released Take Nothing For Granted: Tales from an Unexpected Life. This book looks back at his career.
Political Views (Simplified)
In 1999, Ross Kemp was chosen as the Rector of the University of Glasgow. He later resigned from this role. In 2014, Ross was one of many public figures who wrote a letter. They were against Scottish independence before a big vote.
In 2017, Ross supported the Labour Party in the UK general election. He helped campaign for their candidates. In 2022, he supported a "National Thank You Day" for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. In 2023, he publicly supported Keir Mather of the Labour Party. Mather won the election. In the 2024 general election, Ross supported Mark Francois of the Conservative Party.
Personal Life
Ross Kemp married Rebekah Wade in 2002. She was the editor of The Sun newspaper. They divorced in 2009. In 2010, Ross had a son with his partner, Nicola Coleman. Ross married Renee O'Brien from Australia in 2012. They have three children together.
Filmography
Year | Show | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1986–1987 | Emmerdale | Graham Lodsworth | 32 episodes |
1987 | The Moneymen | Dealer | Television film |
Playing Away | Sonny | ||
1988 | London's Burning | Liver Salts | Episode: "Series 1, Episode 3" |
1989 | Birds of a Feather | Detective Inspector Monk | Episode: "Shift" |
Screen Two | Police Officer | Episode: "The Picnic" | |
1990 | The Chief | PC Dennis Scovell | Episodes: "Daydreamer" & "Call Sign Bravo" |
The Manageress | Defender | Episode: "A Match for Anyone" | |
1990–1999, 2005–2006, 2016, 2025 | EastEnders | Grant Mitchell | 1,090 episodes |
1993 | Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time | Part Two | |
1998 | EastEnders: The Mitchells – Naked Truths | VHS special | |
City Central | Dilly Dally | Episode: "Nothing Like a Dame" | |
1999 | Ross Kemp: Alive in Alaska | Presenter | |
2000 | Hero of the Hour | Richie Liddle | Television film |
In Defence | Sam Lucas | 4 episodes | |
A Christmas Carol | Eddie Scrooge | Television film | |
2000–2001 | Without Motive | DC Jack Mowbray | 12 episodes |
2002–2006 | Ultimate Force | Staff Sgt. Henry 'Henno' Garvie | 21 episodes |
2003 | The Crooked Man | Harry Fielding | Television film |
2004 | Spartacus | Cinna | |
A Line in the Sand | Gavin Hughes / Frank Parry | 2 episodes | |
2004–2009 | Ross Kemp on Gangs | Presenter | 20 episodes |
2005 | Extras | Himself | Episode: "Ross Kemp & Vinnie Jones" |
2007 | Robbie the Reindeer | Trooper No. 2 | Episode: "Close Encounters of the Herd Kind" |
2008–2012 | Ross Kemp in Afghanistan | Presenter | 18 episodes |
2009 | 10 Minute Tales | Liam | Episode: "The Running of the Deer" |
Top Gear | Man in Boot | Episode: "Series 14, Episode 4" | |
Ross Kemp in Search of Pirates | Presenter | 3 episodes | |
Ross Kemp: Behind the Story | |||
2010 | Ross Kemp: Battle for the Amazon | 2 episodes | |
2011 | Quick Slip Me a Bride | Trevor | |
That Sunday Night Show | Himself | ||
2011–2017 | Ross Kemp: Extreme World | Presenter | 37 episodes |
2016 | Ross Kemp's Britain | Presenter | 3 episodes |
Ross Kemp: The Fight Against ISIS | |||
2017 | All Round to Mrs Brown's | Himself | |
Ross Kemp Behind Bars: Inside Barlinnie | Presenter | ||
2018 | Ross Kemp & the Armed Police | ||
2019 | Welcome to HMP Belmarsh with Ross Kemp | 2 episodes | |
2020 | Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline | 2 episodes | |
The Millennium Dome Heist with Ross Kemp | |||
2021 | Britain's Tiger Kings - On The Trail With Ross Kemp | 2 episodes | |
2022 | Searching for Michael Jackson's Zoo with Ross Kemp | Documentary | |
2022–2023 | Ross Kemp: Shipwreck Treasure Hunter | 2 series | |
2022–present | Bridge of Lies | Host | BBC quiz show |
2023 | Blindspot | Tony | Four-part series |
2024 | Ross Kemp: Mafia and Britain | Presenter | Five-part series |
2025 | EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square | Presenter | EastEnders’ 40th anniversary documentary |
Stage Credits
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Ross Kemp Extreme Tales Live | Himself | Dates: 6, 10 and 14 February |
Awards and Recognition
Year | Group | Award | Won | Film/television series |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | National Television Awards | Most Popular Actor | Nominated | EastEnders |
1997 | National Television Awards | Most Popular Actor | Nominated | EastEnders |
1999 | British Soap Awards | Best Actor | Won | EastEnders |
British Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | Nominated | ||
British Soap Awards | Best Storyline | Won | ||
Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Won | ||
Inside Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | Nominated | ||
TV Quick and Choice Awards | Best Soap Actor | Won | ||
National Television Awards | Most Popular Actor | Nominated | ||
2006 | British Soap Awards | Best Actor | Won | EastEnders |
British Soap Awards | Best Storyline (for The Mitchells' Return) | Nominated | ||
British Soap Awards | Spectacular Scene of the year (for Phil's Close Shave) | Nominated | ||
Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Inside Soap Awards | Best Storyline (for The Mitchells' Return) | Nominated | ||
TV Quick and Choice Awards | Best Soap Actor | Nominated | ||
TV Quick and Choice Awards | Best Soap Storyline (for The Mitchells' Return) | Nominated | ||
National Television Awards | Most Popular Actor | Nominated | ||
2006 | BAFTA Awards | Best Factual Series | Won | Ross Kemp on Gangs |
2008 | AIB Media Excellence Awards | International TV Personality | Won | Ross Kemp in Afghanistan |
2009 | BAFTA Awards | Best Factual Series | Nominated | Ross Kemp in Afghanistan |
2009 | BAFTA Awards | Current Affairs | Nominated | Ross Kemp: A Kenya Special |
2014 | Asian Media Awards | Best Investigation | Won | Extreme World: India |