Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths
Griffiths at the 61st British Academy Film Awards in 2007
Born	Richard Thomas Griffiths (1947-07-31)31 July 1947 Thornaby-on-Tees, North Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	28 March 2013(2013-03-28) (aged 65) Coventry, West Midlands, England
Education	Stockton & Billingham College
Alma mater	Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–2013
Spouse	Heather Gibson ​ (m. 1980)​

Biography

Richard Griffiths was a beloved British actor known for his commanding presence, warm wit, and extraordinary versatility across stage, film, and television. Born on July 31, 1947, in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, Griffiths was raised by deaf parents and learned sign language as a child—an early display of his gift for expressive communication. He left school at 15 but soon returned to education, eventually studying drama at Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama.

Griffiths began his career on stage, particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his natural gravitas and comic timing made him a standout. His work in theatre spanned everything from Shakespeare to contemporary drama, earning consistent praise. However, it was his role as the eccentric and deeply flawed teacher Hector in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys (2004) that became his most iconic stage performance, earning him an Olivier Award and a Tony when the production transferred to Broadway.

On screen, Griffiths became widely recognized for his role as the irascible Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter film series. He also delivered memorable performances in Withnail and I (1987), Chariots of Fire (1981), and The Naked Gun 2½. His blend of pomposity, vulnerability, and charm made him a scene-stealer in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Griffiths was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008 for his services to drama. He was known not just for his talent but for his generosity and support of younger actors.

He passed away on March 28, 2013, due to complications following heart surgery. Richard Griffiths left behind a legacy of rich, heartfelt performances and remains one of Britain’s most respected character actors, celebrated for bringing intelligence and humanity to every role he played.

Music (likes)

BBC's Desert Island Discs (2006)

• Please Please Me - The Beatles
• Friends - Lenny Preston
• Vltava (The Moldau) (from Má vlast) - Bedřich Smetana
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major - 3rd movement - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Come unto these yellow sands - Guy Woolfenden
• Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
• Hang Out the Stars in Indiana - Al Bowlly
• Träumerei - Vladimir Horowitz

Literature (likes)

Miscellaneous

• Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

Art & Architecture (likes)

Miscellaneous

• Las Meninas - Diego Velázquez