Trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, whose alumni include Hugh Bonneville, Matthew Goode, Minnie Driver and Julian Fellowes.
His mother is Caroline Friend who works at Turpin and Millar Solicitors, Oxford, UK.
Best International Newcomer (for the Libertine) at the Ischia Global Film Festival July 2006.
Nominated for Most Promising Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards 2005 for Libertine.
Won 'Outstanding New Talent' Golden Satellite at the International Press Academy Awards 2005 for Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont.
Rupert Friend Detailed Biography -
Rupert Friend is an English actor. Friend trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. His most famous role was probably as Mr. Wickham in Pride & Prejudice. He also appeared opposite Johnny Depp in The Libertine, as Billy Downes, a young friend and lover of John Wilmot, the character played by Depp. He is known to have read for the part of James Bond in Casino Royale (2006). More recently, he appeared opposite Dame Joan Plowright in Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. He was named "outstanding new talent" at the 2005 Satellite Awards.
Friend has also become known as the boyfriend of British actress Keira Knightley, with whom he appeared in Pride & Prejudice. The pair arrived together at Knightley's 21st birthday celebration earlier in 2006. There have been rumors that they (Friend and Knightley) are engaged to be married, although they have denied these claims. It is believed that Lindsay Lohan, after "snubbing" Knightley, had her agents create a new article about their "engagement" that would draw in people's attention instead of them being drawn to the article about her bad behavior.[citation needed]
