Who was Richard Griffiths? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In July

Also Known As: Richard Thomas Griffiths

Died At Age: 65

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Heather Gibson (m. 1980)

father: Thomas Griffiths

mother: Jane Denmark

Actors British Men

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Died on: March 28, 2013

place of death: Coventry, United Kingdom

Cause of Death: Complications Following Heart Surgery

Notable Alumni: Manchester Polytechnic School Of Drama

More Facts

education: Manchester Polytechnic School Of Drama

Recommended For You

1

What movies did Richard Griffiths star in?

Richard Griffiths starred in popular movies such as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," "The History Boys," "Withnail & I," and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."
2

What was Richard Griffiths' most memorable role?

Richard Griffiths is best known for his role as Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter film series.
3

Did Richard Griffiths have a background in theater?

Yes, Richard Griffiths had a successful career in theater before transitioning to film and television. He won a Tony Award for his performance in the play "The History Boys."
4

What was Richard Griffiths' acting style known for?

Richard Griffiths was known for his versatile acting style, often portraying characters with a blend of humor, authority, and depth.
5

How did Richard Griffiths contribute to the entertainment industry?

Richard Griffiths made significant contributions to the entertainment industry through his memorable performances in film, television, and theater, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

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Childhood & Early Life

Richard Griffiths was born on 31 July 1947 in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, England. His mother Jane was a bagger, while his father Thomas was a steelworker. He had a brother named John.

Both of his parents were deaf and Griffiths communicated with them via sign language. He attended Our Lady & St Bede School. However, he dropped out at the age of 15 to start working as a porter. He was later persuaded by his boss to return to school.

He took drama classes at the Stockton & Billingham College and later at Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama.

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Career

Following his graduation, Richard Griffiths signed a deal with BBC Radio’s Radio Drama Company. During the initial phase of his career, he also worked in theatres, most notably in the plays ‘Measure for Measure’, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, ‘Henry VIII’ and ‘Love's Labour's Lost’.

In 1975, the actor had a role in the film ‘It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet’. This was followed by his roles in the movies ‘Chariots of Fire’ and ‘The French Lieutenant's Woman’.

Griffiths next starred as the English journalist Collins in the Academy Award-winning flick ‘Gandhi’. The movie, released in 1982, was based on the life of the Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. That year, he was also cast as Henry Jay in the miniseries ‘Bird of Prey’.

Following a role in the black comedy film ‘Withnail and I’ in 1987, Griffiths joined the cast of the series ‘A Kind of Living’ as Trevor Beasley.

In 1991, he played Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer in the comedy film ‘The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear’. Three years later, he began playing a voice role in the series ‘The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends’.

The actor had a voice role in the animated series ‘Archibald the Koala’ in 1998-2000. In 2001, he was cast as Vernon Dursley in the first instalment of the Harry Potter film series titled ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone’.

Griffiths later reprised his role of Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter film sequels ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ which were released in 2002, 2004 and 2007, respectively.

In 2008, he featured in the TV movie ‘A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa’. That year, he also starred as Barry Nottingham in the fantasy comedy flick ‘Bedtime Stories’.

Major Work

In 2004, Richard Griffiths played Hector in Alan Bennett’s play ‘The History Boys’ which premiered at London’s National Royal National Theatre. The play won several awards, including a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award. Griffiths’ performance earned him numerous accolades, such as an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk trophy, a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony award.

Family & Personal Life

In 1973, Richard Griffiths met Heather Gibson. The couple married in 1980 and had no children.

The actor earned an honorary degree from the Teesside University in 2006. Two years later, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

On 28 March 2013, Griffiths died at a hospital due to complications following heart surgery.

Facts About Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths was known to have a great sense of humor and loved playing practical jokes on his co-stars and friends on set.

Despite his commanding presence on screen, Griffiths was actually a very kind and gentle person in real life, known for his generosity and warmth towards others.

Griffiths was a talented stage actor as well as a film actor, having performed in numerous acclaimed productions in London's West End.

He had a passion for literature and was a voracious reader, often quoting Shakespeare and other classic authors in interviews and conversations.

Griffiths was a dedicated mentor to young actors, offering guidance and support to those starting out in the industry.

Richard Griffiths Biography

You wanted to know

What movies did Richard Griffiths star in?

What was Richard Griffiths' most memorable role?

Did Richard Griffiths have a background in theater?

What was Richard Griffiths' acting style known for?

How did Richard Griffiths contribute to the entertainment industry?