Helena Carroll obit

Helena Carroll, 84, Actress of Stage and Screen, Dies

 

She was not on the list.

Helena Carroll, an Irish stage, television and film actress died at her home in Los Angeles on March 31. She was 84.

Carroll was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. She moved to the United States in the 1950s, touring and performing on Broadway.

Carroll was the youngest of three daughters of Irish dramatist Paul Vincent Carroll and dress designer Helena Reilly. She had split her stage work between Dublin, London and New York and was co-founded the Irish Players acting group in Gotham.

She appeared on Broadway in “Oliver!,” “Pickwick,” “Little Moon of Alban,” “Something Different,” “Design for Living,” “Waiting in the Wings” starring Lauren Bacall and both the Broadway and Los Angeles revivals of “Private Lives” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Carroll also appeared in films such as John Huston’s “The Dead,” “The Friends of Eddie Coyle,” “The Jerk,” “The Mambo Kings,” “Rocky” and “Love Affair.” She also worked on numerous television shows and soaps including “General Hospital,” “Colombo” and “Murder She Wrote.”

Carroll’s last plays were “The Queen of Lenai” in Los Angeles in 2005 and “Philadelphia Here I Come” in Gotham in 2006.

 

Actress

I Found You

Short

2009

 

Lady in the Trunk

Video

2009

 

Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest (1997)

Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle

6.8

TV Movie

Kitty Murphy

2003

 

Bette Midler, James Dreyfus, Kevin Dunn, Joanna Gleason, and Lindsay Lohan in Bette (2000)

Bette

6.5

TV Series

Grammy

2001

1 episode

 

Roma Downey, John Dye, and Della Reese in Touched by an Angel (1994)

Touched by an Angel

6.0

TV Series

Kate Leary

1997

1 episode

 

Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor (1997)

Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor

6.3

TV Movie

Mother Superior

1997

 

Grace Under Fire (1993)

Grace Under Fire

6.4

TV Series

Mrs. Hutchinson

1995

1 episode

 

Katharine Hepburn, Warren Beatty, and Annette Bening in Love Affair (1994)

Love Affair

6.0

Dorothy

1994

 

The Man Upstairs (1992)

The Man Upstairs

6.3

TV Movie

Molly

1992

 

Christina Applegate, David Faustino, Katey Sagal, and Ed O'Neill in Married... with Children (1987)

Married... with Children

8.1

TV Series

Poxilda

1992

1 episode

 

Finola Hughes, Maurice Benard, Genie Francis, Nancy Lee Grahn, Rebecca Herbst, and Laura Wright in General Hospital (1963)

General Hospital

6.6

TV Series

Nancy McTavish

Thelma

1978–1992

4 episodes

 

Antonio Banderas, Armand Assante, and Maruschka Detmers in The Mambo Kings (1992)

The Mambo Kings

6.4

Mrs. Shannon

1992

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.2

TV Series

Martha Jane Stokes

1991

1 episode

 

Sylvester Stallone in Rocky V (1990)

Rocky V

5.4

Woman Drinker

1990

 

Barbara Eden, Jennie Garth, David Tom, Don Murray, Shawnee Smith, Alison Sweeney, and Byron Thames in A Brand New Life (1989)

A Brand New Life

7.8

TV Series

Mrs. Jenson

1990

1 episode

 

It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986)

It's Garry Shandling's Show.

7.7

TV Series

Ian's Mother

1990

1 episode

 

A Family for Joe (1990)

A Family for Joe

6.5

TV Series

Mrs. Spruce

1990

1 episode

 

Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989)

Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat

6.1

Madge

1989

 

Jerry Orbach and Barbara Babcock in The Law and Harry McGraw (1987)

The Law and Harry McGraw

7.5

TV Series

Mrs. Wilson

1987

1 episode

 

Anjelica Huston and Donal McCann in The Dead (1987)

The Dead

7.2

Aunt Kate

1987

 

Bad Guys (1986)

Bad Guys

4.3

Elsie

1986

 

Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks in Tucker's Witch (1982)

Tucker's Witch

7.4

TV Series

Mrs. March

1983

1 episode

 

Ryan's Four (1983)

Ryan's Four

6.8

TV Series

1983

1 episode

 

The Clairvoyant (1982)

The Clairvoyant

5.5

Bag Lady

1982

 

Ghost Story (1981)

Ghost Story

6.3

Mrs. Meredith

1981

 

Susan Sarandon, James Coburn, Shirley MacLaine, and Stephen Collins in Loving Couples (1980)

Loving Couples

5.1

Prudence

1980

 

Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams in Laverne & Shirley (1976)

Laverne & Shirley

7.0

TV Series

Irene

1980

1 episode

 

Greg Evigan in B.J. and the Bear (1978)

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

Doris the landlady

1980

1 episode

 

The Jerk (1979)

The Jerk

7.1

Hester

1979

 

Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Frank Bonner, Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Richard Sanders, and Gary Sandy in WKRP in Cincinnati (1978)

WKRP in Cincinnati

8.0

TV Series

Tiffany Hopkins

1979

1 episode

 

The Flame Is Love (1979)

The Flame Is Love

4.7

TV Movie

Charity

1979

 

Kate Mulgrew in Mrs. Columbo (1979)

Mrs. Columbo

5.6

TV Series

Nora Phelps

1979

1 episode

 

Backstairs at the White House (1979)

Backstairs at the White House

8.3

TV Mini Series

First Maid Annie Gilhooley

1979

2 episodes

 

Shaun Cassidy, Pamela Sue Martin, and Parker Stevenson in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)

The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries

7.3

TV Series

Laura Taylor

1978

2 episodes

 

Sharon Gabet and Larkin Malloy in The Edge of Night (1956)

The Edge of Night

7.8

TV Series

Molly O'Connor

1977

1 episode

 

Kiss Me, Kill Me (1976)

Kiss Me, Kill Me

5.5

TV Movie

Mrs. Harris

1976

 

Starsky and Hutch (1975)

Starsky and Hutch

7.0

TV Series

Jessie

1976

1 episode

 

Lee Majors in The Six Million Dollar Man (1973)

The Six Million Dollar Man

7.1

TV Series

Jessica Williams (uncredited)

1975

1 episode

 

Anthony Franciosa and Laraine Stephens in Matt Helm (1975)

Matt Helm

5.9

TV Series

Mrs. Stump

1975

1 episode

 

Mike Connors in Mannix (1967)

Mannix

7.4

TV Series

Ruth

Elizabeth

1973–1975

2 episodes

 

Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

Nun

1974

1 episode

 

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)

The Friends of Eddie Coyle

7.4

Sheila Coyle

1973

 

Raymond Burr and Barbara Sigel in Ironside (1967)

Ironside

6.9

TV Series

Mrs. Collins (uncredited)

1968

1 episode

 

James Drury, Doug McClure, and John McIntire in The Virginian (1962)

The Virginian

7.6

TV Series

Lucille (uncredited)

1965

1 episode

 

Shelley Fabares, Donna Reed, Carl Betz, and Paul Petersen in The Donna Reed Show (1958)

The Donna Reed Show

7.4

TV Series

Jeanette

1962

1 episode

 

William Shatner in The Robert Herridge Theater (1960)

The Robert Herridge Theater

6.8

TV Series

1960

1 episode

 

Walter Matthau in Play of the Week (1959)

Play of the Week

7.2

TV Series

Nora Fintry

1959

1 episode

 

Natalie Wood and Jacques Sernas in Camera Three (1955)

Camera Three

7.7

TV Series

1958

1 episode

 

Little Moon of Alban (1958)

Little Moon of Alban

7.4

TV Movie

Sister Teresa

1958

 

Kraft Theatre (1947)

Kraft Theatre

8.0

TV Series

3rd Class Passenger

Steerage Passenger

1956

2 episodes

 

Midnight Episode (1950)

Midnight Episode

6.6

Nurse

1950

Ed Crowley obit

Actor Ed Crowley Has Died

 He was not on the list.

Ed Crowley was born on September 5, 1926 in Lewiston, Maine, USA. He was an actor, known for Witness (1985), Serpico (1973) and Three Days of the Condor (1975). He was married to Ruth Baker. He died on March 11, 2013 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.

He appeared in five films directed by Sidney Lumet: Serpico (1973), Network (1976), Garbo Talks (1984), Running on Empty (1988) and Family Business (1989).

Ed appeared in the original Off-Broadway cast of Hair in October of 1967 at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater in the roles of Dad and The Principal. Marijuana Maricale was Mom.

 

Actor

Family Business (1989)

Family Business

5.7

Charlie

1989

 

River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)

Running on Empty

7.6

Mr. Phillips

1988

 

F/X (1986)

F/X

6.7

Ballistics Expert (as Edward Crowley)

1986

 

The Mad Ave Wizard (1985)

The Mad Ave Wizard

Short

The Account Exec

1985

 

Kristen Alderson, Kassie Wesley DePaiva, Erika Slezak, Trevor St. John, and John-Paul Lavoisier in One Life to Live (1968)

One Life to Live

6.9

TV Series

Deputy Sheriff

1985

1 episode

 

Harrison Ford and Lukas Haas in Witness (1985)

Witness

7.4

Sheriff

1985

 

Garbo Talks (1984)

Garbo Talks

6.4

Mr. Goldhammer

1984

 

The Fan (1981)

The Fan

5.7

Caretaker

1981

 

Slow Dancing in the Big City (1978)

Slow Dancing in the Big City

5.4

Graffiti Cop (as Edward Crowley)

1978

 

Breaking Up (1978)

Breaking Up

6.5

TV Movie

George

1978

 

Kate Mulgrew, Bernard Barrow, Helen Gallagher, Malcolm Groome, and Michael Hawkins in Ryan's Hope (1975)

Ryan's Hope

7.2

TV Series

Dr. Wolfe

1976–1977

15 episodes

 

Network (1976)

Network

8.1

Joe Donnelly

1976

 

Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

Kelly

1976

1 episode

 

The Adams Chronicles (1976)

The Adams Chronicles

8.1

TV Mini Series

Benjamin Moran

1976

1 episode

 

Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway in Three Days of the Condor (1975)

Three Days of the Condor

7.4

Ordinance Man

1975

 

Hester Street (1975)

Hester Street

7.0

Inspector (as Edward Crowley)

1975

 

ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

ABC Afterschool Specials

7.1

TV Series

Darby

Matt

1973–1974

2 episodes

 

Serpico (1973)

Serpico

7.7

Barto

1973

 

The Corner Bar

4.8

TV Series

1973

1 episode

 

Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971)

Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!

5.9

1971

 

Bananas (1971)

Bananas

6.9

FBI Security

1971

 

Loving (1970)

Loving

6.1

Mr. Shavelson

1970

 

N.Y.P.D. (1967)

N.Y.P.D.

7.4

TV Series

Jansen

1968

1 episode

 

Madigan (1968)

Madigan

6.5

Man at precinct

1968

 

Dark Shadows (1966)

Dark Shadows

8.1

TV Series

Policeman

1967

2 episodes

 

The Borgia Stick (1967)

The Borgia Stick

7.3

TV Movie

Garage Man (uncredited)

1967

 

Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Jane Kean, and Sheila MacRae in The Jackie Gleason Show (1966)

The Jackie Gleason Show

8.0

TV Series

Police Lieutenant

1966

1 episode

 

Brenner (1959)

Brenner

7.0

TV Series

Billings

1964

1 episode

 

Naked City (1958)

Naked City

8.2

TV Series

Druggist

1962

1 episode

Bob Turley obit

 

Former St. Louis Browns Pitcher Bob Turley Dies

He was not on the list.

 

A Metro-East native who went on to win two World Series titles with the New York Yankees in the 1950’s, plus a Cy Young Award, has died.

“Bullet Bob” Turley was 82.

Turley’s first major league team was the St. Louis Browns (1951, 1953) and it earned him a place in the lyrics of the song “St. Louis Browns” by Skip Battin: “They had a no-hit pitcher. He pitched a real humdinger. But, Bob Turley got too surly, and they traded him too early.”

Turley was born in Troy, Illinois and raised in East St. Louis.

During his time in New York, he appeared in several media venues — including an episode of the game show “It’s News to Me” with Walter Cronkite. Click here to see it.

Turley died Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia.

ob Turley, a hard-throwing right-hander who won the Orioles’ first home game, died of liver cancer early Saturday morning, according to his son Terry Turley. He was 82.

Turley pitched one season for the Orioles in 1954, their first in Baltimore, and he started the first big league game at Memorial Stadium. He was traded to the New York Yankees, with whom he won the Cy Young Award in 1958.

The April 15, 1954 opener at Memorial Stadium was a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox played in front of 46,354 fans. A News-Post editorial called it “the most thrilling day in Baltimore history since the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.” Turley pitched all nine innings, striking out nine.

Teammate Billy Hunter recalled arriving at Camden Station that day and the players getting changed into their uniforms on board the train before heading in a procession to Memorial Stadium.

“He was an outstanding pitcher,” said Hunter, who was traded to New York in the same deal as Turley. “Nobody meseaured how hard anybody threw then, but he threw pretty hard.”

Turley, who became known as “Bullet Bob”, was sent to the Yankees as part of a package that also included Don Larsen and brought slugging catcher Gus Triandos to Baltimore. The deal involved 17 players and remains the biggest trade in the sport’s history. Triandos died Thursday.

The rest of the 1954 season did not go so well for the Orioles, and Turley told The Baltimore Sun in 2004 that he got the good end of the deal.

“I'd have crawled to New York,” he said. “What did I learn from that '54 season? That I never wanted to be on a loser for the rest of my life.”

Despite playing for the Yankees, Turley continued to live in Lutherville and sent his children to local schools. He lived just down the road from Hunter on Seminary Avenue and told The Sun in 2010 that he had fond memories of his season with Orioles.

“The fans were friendly in every sense of the word,” he said. “When my first son was born that season, people gave us a crib and free diapers. They treated us royally.”

Turley later opened a bowling center in Bel Air and an insurance firm on York Road, where he partnered with Triandos.

Turley left the Yankees in 1962, playing a season apiece with the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox. In 12 seasons, he went 101-85 with a 3.64 ERA.

After retiring from baseball, Turley went on to work with financial firm Primerica and lived in Alpharetta, Ga. In 2004, Turley came back to Baltimore and threw out the first pitch with four other members of the 1954 team to celebrate the Orioles’ half-century in town.In addition to his son Terry, Turley is survived by another son, Don Turley, daughter Rowena Turley, numerous grandchildren and his wife Janet Turley.

 

Tom Boerwinkle obit

He was not on the list

Tom Boerwinkle dies; former Bulls center was 67

Tom Boerwinkle, the former Chicago Bulls center who had a franchise-record 37 rebounds in a 1970 game against the Phoenix Suns, has died. He was 67.

Tom Boerwinkle, the former Chicago Bulls center who had a franchise-record 37 rebounds in a 1970 game against the Phoenix Suns, has died. He was 67.

Bulls spokesman Tim Hallam said Wednesday that a family member informed team officials of Boerwinkle's death, and the University of Tennessee issued a statement saying the former Volunteers player died Tuesday at his home near Chicago after a lengthy illness.

The 7-foot Boerwinkle, drafted fourth overall in 1968, averaged 7.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 10 seasons with the Bulls from 1968-69 to 1977-78. He also worked as an analyst on the team's radio broadcasts from 1991-94.

"We were all heartbroken this morning to learn of the passing of Tom Boerwinkle," said Steve Schanwald, the Bulls' executive vice president of business operations. "In addition to being one of the Bulls' all-time great players, Tom was one of the kindest men you would ever want to meet with the gentlest of souls. A true gentle giant who made great contributions to the Chicago Bulls' organization on and off the court."

Boerwinkle, from Independence, Ohio, averaged 11.4 points and 9.2 rebounds at Tennessee, helping the Vols win the 1967 Southeastern Conference title. As a senior in 1967-68, he averaged 15.2 points and 11.3 rebounds.

"Tom was a once-in-a-lifetime guy," former Tennessee teammate Bill Justus said in a statement released by the university. "When you meet a guy like him and have him as a teammate, he becomes a brother to you, and there's no replacing someone like that. Despite his sheer size and presence, he was as genuine and loyal as can be. That's not just me saying that. Those are the sentiments of many, many of his former teammates."

Bob Love said he "cried all day" after learning Wednesday of the death of his former Bulls teammate Tom Boerwinkle.

Known for his deft passes, aggressive rebounding and uncanny ability to facilitate the offense, Boerwinkle died Tuesday at 67.

A first-round NBA draft pick (fourth overall) out of Tennessee in 1968, the 7-foot, 260-pound Boerwinkle played his entire NBA career for the Bulls, averaging 7.2 points, 9 rebounds and 3.2 assists from 1968-78. He was known for passing and setting hard picks to create scoring opportunities for Chet Walker, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier and Love.

"He understood his role extremely well," Hall of Fame center Artis Gilmore said Wednesday from his home in Florida. "He had a very big body and he absorbed a lot of space. With those behind-the-back and over-the-head passes, he was very good. He understood the game and he played intelligent basketball." 

His notable teammates were: Bob Boozer, Clem Haskins, Bob Love, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker, Shaler Halimon, Matt Guokas, Clifford Ray, Norm Van Lier, Jimmy Collins, Garfield Heard, Bob Weiss, Rick Adelman, Nate Thurmond, Mickey Johnson, Jack Marin, Artis Gilmore, Nick Weatherspoon, Cazzie Russell, A. W. Davis and Scott May.

Some of his coaches were: Dick Motta, Ray Mears and Ed Badger. He was never coached by Johnny "Red" Kerr, but Kerr was in the Bull's front office during his playing career, and Boerwinkle and Kerr both were employed as members of the Bull's broadcast team during the championship seasons.

 

Phil Ramone obit

He was not on the list

Music Producer Phil Ramone Dies At 72

Music producer Phil Ramone, who worked with top artists to create some of the most unforgettable music of our era, has died. He was 72.

Once dubbed "The Pope of Pop," Ramone was hospitalized in late February with an aortic aneurysm, Billboard reports. His son, Matt, confirmed the music producer's death Saturday morning.

Ramone was one of the most prolific music producers of his time, as NPR's Sami Yenigun says:

"The list of musicians Phil Ramone produced reads like a who's who of 20th century musical icons. Paul McCartney Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Burt Bacharach, Bono, Ray Charles, Andre Previn, Renee Fleming and BB King.

"In a career that spanned over five decades, Ramone racked up 14 Grammy awards and a technical grammy for a lifetime of innovation in the industry. He was a classical violin prodigy who got his start in the industry as a recording engineer. He went on to work in a diverse range of media, producing for film, broadway, and TV."

That's not all, the AP goes on:


"He produced three records that went on to win Grammys for album of the year — [Paul] Simon's 'Still Crazy After All These Years,' [Billy] Joel's '52nd Street' and [Ray] Charles' 'Genius Loves Company.' He was a pioneer of digital recording who produced what is regarded as the first major commercial release on compact disc, '52nd Street,' which came out on CD in 1982."

Ramone was born in South Africa and quickly demonstrated his musical chops, taking up the violin and piano at age 3. As a teenager, Ramone studied at the Juilliard School in New York, the AP reports, and by age 20 had opened his own recording studio.

His own experience as a musician and engineer gave him insight into the artists he worked with, as Billboard says:


"Asked to describe his philosophy as a producer, Ramone told Sound on Sound magazine in 2005: "I served a long time as an engineer and watched many famous producers work, and I decided on the personality that came most easily to me, which is the more relaxed; to give artists encouragement when needed.

"'Players are like prodigies, thoroughbreds,' he added. 'You have to handle them with care.' "

Gus Triandos obit

Gus Triandos, beloved ex-Orioles catcher, dies at 82

He was not on the list.

Gus Triandos, a brawny slugger who won the hearts of Orioles fans starved for someone to cheer for in the 1950s, died Thursday at his home in San Jose, Calif. He was 82.

"My father died in his sleep," his daughter, Lori Luna, said. "He'd been dealing with congestive heart failure for 10 years. It was hard for him to get up.

"His heart just gave out."

A catcher and four-time All Star, Triandos played with the Orioles from 1955 through 1962 and was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1981. He hit 142 home runs for the club, 30 of them in 1958, then an American League record for catchers.

That same year, he caught the Orioles' first no-hitter, knuckleballing Hoyt Wilhelm's 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees. Triandos' 425-foot homer in the seventh inning won the game.

"Catching Hoyt was such a miserable experience, I just wanted to end the game," he told The Baltimore Sun in 2009.

"Gus was one of my favorite guys," said Brooks Robinson, who broke in with the Orioles in 1955. "He was so good-natured and a wonderful teammate. I had a lot of laughs and learned a lot from Gus.

"The Orioles were lucky to have him for a stretch when they were struggling, because he was so terrific."

Triandos took younger players under his wing, both on and off the field, said Ron Hansen, then the Orioles shortstop.

"On the road, Brooks and I would be eating in a diner and the waitress would come over and say, 'Your check has been paid by that gentleman over there.' It was Gus. He had a big heart. He'd tell us, 'When you guys become veterans, you'll take care of the rookies, too.'"

Triandos broke into the big leagues with the Yankees but came to Baltimore in a blockbuster deal that sent pitchers Bob Turley and Don Larsen to New York in exchange for outfielder Gene Woodling, shortstop Willie Miranda and a swarthy, slow-footed catcher who would take the city by storm.

How much did Baltimore love Triandos? In 1962, when he moved his family to a new development in Timonium, they named the road for him — Triandos Drive.

"That [street sign] is my favorite memento," he said in 2009. "Some years ago, they replaced the sign and mailed the old one to me. It's one of my few [keepsakes]. I never wanted to be in situations where I had to bore guests with my exploits."

Triandos' daughter called him "the best man I've ever met. He always thought about others and always felt blessed with what he did. And he talked about the Orioles with great fondness."

Unless he was reminded about catching Wilhelm, who drove Triandos batty trying to capture his fluttery pitches.

"I remember seeing black and blue marks all over Gus' chest, after games in which he caught Hoyt," Hansen said. "Eventually, they invented a bigger mitt just for Gus. That helped."

At 6-feet-3 and 215 pounds, few pitches got past Triandos, a rugged Greek born in San Francisco.

"Gus was a long ball hitter, an outstanding catcher ... and a big old teddy bear," said Jim Gentile, onetime Orioles first baseman who replaced Triandos as clean-up hitter.

Gentile, who is also from San Francisco, kept in touch with Triandos to the end.

"We'd talk every few months," Gentile said. "Some years ago, I took my son to have lunch with Gus, who lived in a trailer park. He was a great teammate and friend."

Triandos was elected to the American League All-Star team for three consecutive years, in 1957, 1958 and 1959. His 142 home runs hit as an Oriole player ranks him 13th highest in the team's history. In 1961, the reigning American League stolen base champion, Luis Aparicio, rated Triandos just below Earl Battey as the toughest catcher on which to attempt a stolen base

Traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1962, Triandos retired three years later — but not before catching another no-hitter thrown by Philadelphia's Jim Bunning in 1964.

He settled in San Jose where, for years, he ran a mail delivery business. Twenty years ago, an automobile accident left him with a broken neck, from which he recovered.

Triandos is survived by his wife, Evelyn, to whom he was married for 61 years; son Gary Triandos and daughters Lori Luna and Tracey Hook, all of San Jose; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Richard Griffiths obit

Potter and Withnail actor Richard Griffiths dies

He was not on the list.

Actor Richard Griffiths, who starred in the Harry Potter films and Withnail and I, has died at the age of 65 after complications following heart surgery.

Griffiths enjoyed a long career of success on film and on TV, but also on the stage where he was a Tony-winning character actor.

TV roles included a cookery-loving detective in Pie in the Sky.

He was best known for playing Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films and Uncle Monty in Withnail and I.

His Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe - who also appeared on stage with him in Equus - was among the first to pay tribute, saying: "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career. I was proud to know him.

"Any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence," he said.

On stage, Griffiths' most acclaimed performance was as the charismatic teacher Hector in Alan Bennett's The History Boys.

After achieving a rare double of winning a Tony Award in New York and an Olivier Award in London, he recreated the role in a 2006 film version.

But it was his role as the predatory Uncle Monty in Withnail And I - which has become of one of the biggest cult classics in British cinema history - that made him a fan favourite.

In a message to his co-star on Twitter, the actor Richard E. Grant said: "My beloved Uncle Monty Richard Griffiths died last night. Chin-Chin my dear friend."

Griffiths was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, and left school at 15 but later returned to education to study drama, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He married Heather Gibson in 1980 after they met during a production of Lady Windermere's Fan in 1973.

His early TV career saw him land bit parts in series such as Minder, The Sweeney and Bergerac, while he also played small parts in major films such as Chariots of Fire, Superman II and Gandhi before the big breakthrough came in Withnail and I.

Director Sir Nicholas Hytner pays tribute to Richard Griffiths' wit, intelligence and "endless" anecdotes

Well respected by his peers, he was appointed an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours for his services to drama.

Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, said Griffiths's unexpected death would devastate his "army of friends".

He said: "Richard Griffiths wasn't only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors - he was also one of the very greatest.

"His performance in The History Boys was quite overwhelming: a masterpiece of wit, delicacy, mischief and desolation, often simultaneously.

"His anecdotes were legendary. They were, literally, endless. They would go on for hours, apparently without destination, constantly side-splitting."

In 2012 he appeared alongside Danny Devito in Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys at London's Savoy Theatre.

One of his most recent roles was in the drama Private Peaceful where he played The Colonel alongside Frances de la Tour and Maxine Peake.

 

Actor (92 credits)

 2013/I About Time

Lawyer in play (uncredited)

 2012 Private Peaceful

The Colonel

 2012 The Hollow Crown (TV Series)

Duke of Burgundy

- Henry V (2012) ... Duke of Burgundy

 2011 George and Bernard Shaw (TV Series)

Bernard

- Pilot (2011) ... Bernard

 2011 Hugo

Monsieur Frick

 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

King George

 2011 Episodes (TV Series)

Julian Bullard

- Episode One (2011) ... Julian Bullard

 2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Vernon Dursley

 2010 Jackboots on Whitehall

Hermann Goering (voice)

 2010 National Theatre Live: The Habit of Art

Fitz / W.H. Auden

 2008 Bedtime Stories

Barry Nottingham

 2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (TV Movie)

Santa Claus

 2007 Ballet Shoes (TV Movie)

Great Uncle Matthew

 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Vernon Dursley

 2006 The History Boys

Hector

 2006/I Venus

Donald

 2005 Bleak House (TV Mini Series)

Mr. Bayham Badger

- Episode #1.3 (2005) ... Mr. Bayham Badger

- Episode #1.2 (2005) ... Mr. Bayham Badger

 2005 Lost in Love

Tierney

 2005 Princes in the Tower (TV Movie)

Thomas More (voice)

 2005 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Jeltz (voice)

 2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Uncle Vernon

 2004 Stage Beauty

Sir Charles Sedley

 2003 The Brides in the Bath (TV Movie)

Sir Edward Marshall-Hall

 2002 tlc (TV Series)

Mr. Benedict Ron

- Agency Nurse (2002) ... Mr. Benedict Ron

- The Wrong Leg (2002) ... Mr. Benedict Ron

- Three Stars (2002) ... Mr. Benedict Ron

- Clean White Coat (2002) ... Mr. Benedict Ron

- Sectioned (2002) ... Mr. Benedict Ron

Show

 2002 Jeffrey Archer: The Truth (TV Movie)

Willie Whitelaw

 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Uncle Vernon

 2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Uncle Vernon Dursley

 2000 Hope and Glory (TV Series)

Leo Wheeldon

- Episode #2.4 (2000) ... Leo Wheeldon

- Episode #2.1 (2000) ... Leo Wheeldon

 2000 Vatel

Dr. Bourdelot

 2000 Gormenghast (TV Mini Series)

Swelter

- Episode #1.2 (2000) ... Swelter

- Episode #1.1 (2000) ... Swelter

 1999 The Vicar of Dibley (TV Series)

Bishop of Mulberry

- Spring (1999) ... Bishop of Mulberry

 1999 Sleepy Hollow

Magistrate Philipse

 1998 Archibald the Koala (TV Series)

Archibald

- The Dragon (1998) ... Archibald (voice)

 1998 Ted & Ralph (TV Movie)

Landowner at Party

 1998 The Animal Train (TV Movie)

Elephant (voice)

 1998 The Canterbury Tales (TV Series)

Saturn

- Leaving London (1998) ... Saturn (voice)

 1998 In the Red (TV Mini Series)

Geoffrey Crichton Potter

- Episode #1.3 (1998) ... Geoffrey Crichton Potter

- Episode #1.2 (1998) ... Geoffrey Crichton Potter

- Episode #1.1 (1998) ... Geoffrey Crichton Potter

 1994-1997 Pie in the Sky (TV Series)

Henry Crabbe

- Smelling of Roses (1997) ... Henry Crabbe

- In the Smoke (1997) ... Henry Crabbe

- The Apprentice (1997) ... Henry Crabbe

- Return Match (1997) ... Henry Crabbe

- Cutting the Mustard (1997) ... Henry Crabbe

 1993-1995 The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (TV Series)

Mr. Jackson / Mr. Alderman Ptolomy Tortoise / Sir Isaac Newton

- The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies and Mrs. Tittlemouse (1995) ... Mr. Jackson (voice)

- The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1994) ... Mr. Alderman Ptolomy Tortoise / Sir Isaac Newton (voice)

- The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding (1993) ... Mr. Jackson (voice)

 1995 Funny Bones

Jim Minty

 1994 Screen One (TV Series)

Brian Beazely

- A Breed of Heroes (1994) ... Brian Beazely

 1994 Guarding Tess

Frederick

 1993 Lovejoy (TV Series)

Hans Koopman

- They Call Me Midas (1993) ... Hans Koopman

 1993 Inspector Morse (TV Series)

Canon Humphrey Appleton

- The Day of the Devil (1993) ... Canon Humphrey Appleton

 1992 Mr. Wakefield's Crusade (TV Series)

Porter

- Episode #1.3 (1992) ... Porter

- Episode #1.2 (1992) ... Porter

- Episode #1.1 (1992) ... Porter

 1992 The Good Guys (TV Series)

Archie Phillips

- Going West (1992) ... Archie Phillips

 1992 El C.I.D. (TV Series)

Weatherby

- Nothing Is Forever (1992) ... Weatherby

 1992 Blame It on the Bellboy

Maurice Horton

 1991 The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

Dr. Meinheimer / Earl Hacker

 1991 Perfect Scoundrels (TV Series)

Phil Kirby

- Ssh, You Know Who (1991) ... Phil Kirby

 1991 King Ralph

Phipps

 1988-1990 A Kind of Living (TV Series)

Trevor Beasley

- Episode #3.13 (1990) ... Trevor Beasley

- Episode #3.12 (1990) ... Trevor Beasley

- Episode #3.11 (1990) ... Trevor Beasley

- Episode #3.10 (1990) ... Trevor Beasley

- Episode #3.9 (1990) ... Trevor Beasley

 1987-1989 Ffizz (TV Series)

Jack Mowbray

- Sickness and Health (1989) ... Jack Mowbray

- Matters of Principle (1989) ... Jack Mowbray

- A Damn Close Run Thing (1989) ... Jack Mowbray

- Love in Store (1989) ... Jack Mowbray

- Mother Knows Best (1989) ... Jack Mowbray

 1989 Goldeneye (TV Movie)

Second admiral

 1987 The Marksman (TV Mini Series)

Brown

- Episode #1.3 (1987) ... Brown

- Episode #1.2 (1987) ... Brown

- Episode #1.1 (1987) ... Brown

 1987 Withnail & I

Monty

 1987 Casanova (TV Movie)

Cardinal

 1986 If Looks Could Kill: The Power of Behaviour (Video short)

 1986 Shanghai Surprise

Willie Tuttle

 1986 Boon (TV Series)

Sidney Garbutt

- Glasshouse People (1986) ... Sidney Garbutt

 1984 A Private Function

Allardyce

 1984 Bird of Prey 2 (TV Series)

Henry Jay

- Trapdoor and Spook (1984) ... Henry Jay

- Ducks in a Row (1984) ... Henry Jay

- A State-of-the-Art Way to Die (1984) ... Henry Jay

- Death and Taxes (1984) ... Henry Jay

 1984 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes

Captain Billings

 1983 Gorky Park

Anton

 1983 Bergerac (TV Series)

Jean-Pierre

- Fall of a Birdman (1983) ... Jean-Pierre

 1983 The Cleopatras (TV Mini Series)

Pot Belly

- 115 BC (1983) ... Pot Belly

- 128 BC (1983) ... Pot Belly

- 145 BC (1983) ... Pot Belly

 1982 The Merry Wives of Windsor (TV Movie)

Sir John Falstaff

 1982 Gandhi

Collins

 1980-1982 Nobody's Perfect (TV Series)

Sam Hooper

- Bill's Musical (1982) ... Sam Hooper

- Mrs Whicker In Love (1982) ... Sam Hooper

- Bill Takes A Job (1982) ... Sam Hooper

- The Lovebirds (1982) ... Sam Hooper

- The Anniversary (1982) ... Sam Hooper

 1982 Five-Minute Films (TV Series short)

The Window Cleaner

- A Light Snack (1982) ... The Window Cleaner

 1982 The World Cup: A Captain's Tale (TV Movie)

Sidney Barron

 1982 Britannia Hospital

Cheerful Bernie

 1982 Bird of Prey (TV Series)

Henry Jay

- Printout Urgent (1982) ... Henry Jay

- Process Priority (1982) ... Henry Jay

- Mode Murder (1982) ... Henry Jay

- Input Classified (1982) ... Henry Jay

 1982 Whoops Apocalypse (TV Series)

Premier Dubienkin

- Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (1982) ... Premier Dubienkin

- The Violet Hour (1982) ... Premier Dubienkin

- How to Get Rid of It (1982) ... Premier Dubienkin

- Road to Jerusalem (1982) ... Premier Dubienkin

 1982 Minder (TV Series)

Derek Farrow

- Dreamhouse (1982) ... Derek Farrow

 1981 Ragtime

Delmas' Assistant No. 1

 1981 Prisoners of Conscience (TV Series)

William Beausire

- William Beausire (1981) ... William Beausire

 1981 The French Lieutenant's Woman

Sir Tom

 1981 Chariots of Fire

Head Porter-Caius College

 1980 Superman II

Terrorist #3

 1980 Breaking Glass

Studio Engineer

 1979 Afternoon Off (TV Movie)

Factory Boss

 1978 The Sweeney (TV Series)

Ronnie Harries

- Jack or Knave (1978) ... Ronnie Harries

 1978 The Comedy of Errors (TV Movie)

Officer

 1974-1977 ITV Playhouse (TV Series)

Board member / Park keeper

- It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1977) ... Board member

- Norma (1974) ... Park keeper

 1977 Second City Firsts (TV Series)

Bedworth Hog

- Twelve Off the Belt (1977) ... Bedworth Hog

 1976 The Expert (TV Series)

Ripley

- Tainted Money (1976) ... Ripley

 1976 It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet

Sam Broadbent

 1976 Red Letter Day (TV Series)

Window Cleaner

- Well Thank You, Thursday (1976) ... Window Cleaner

 1976 When the Boat Comes In (TV Series)

P.C. Price

- A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots (1976) ... P.C. Price

 1974 Village Hall (TV Series)

Mr. Ridealgh

- Mr. Ellis Versus the People (1974) ... Mr. Ridealgh

 1974 Crown Court (TV Series)

Interpreter

- Duress: Part 1 (1974) ... Interpreter

Hide Hide Writer (1 credit)

 1982 Nobody's Perfect (TV Series) (adaptation - 1 episode)

- The Anniversary (1982) ... (adaptation)

 

Thanks (3 credits)

 2013/I About Time (special thanks)

 2013 Special Collector's Edition (TV Series) (in memory of - 1 episode)

- Serpico (2013) ... (in memory of)

 2009 Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins (Video documentary) (special thanks)

 

Self (27 credits)

 2014 Showing Up (Documentary)

Self

 2011 Theater Talk (TV Series)

Self - Guest

- The Best of Theater Talk: Daniel Radcliffe & Richard Griffiths (2011) ... Self - Guest

 2010 Alan Bennett and the Habit of Art (Documentary)

Self

 2009 Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins (Video documentary)

Self - 'Vernon Dursley'

 2006-2008 Charlie Rose (TV Series)

Self - Guest / Self

- Episode dated 18 November 2008 (2008) ... Self

- Episode dated 17 November 2006 (2006) ... Self - Guest

- Episode dated 29 August 2006 (2006) ... Self - Guest

 2008 The 62nd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)

Self - Presenter

 2007 Ballet Shoes: Deleted Scenes (Video documentary short)

Great Uncle Matthew (uncredited)

 2007 Pass It On: The History Boys on Screen (Video documentary short)

Self

 2007 BBC London News (TV Series documentary)

Self - Stage Actor

- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) ... Self - Stage Actor

 2005-2007 Breakfast (TV Series)

Self

- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) ... Self

- Episode dated 23 November 2005 (2005) ... Self

 2006 The 60th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)

Self - Winner

 2006 51st Annual Drama Desk Awards (TV Special)

Self

 2006 Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary)

Self - Actor

- Actors on Performing (2006) ... Self - Actor

 2006 The 50 Greatest Comedy Films (TV Special)

Self

 2005 The South Bank Show (TV Series documentary)

Self

- Alan Bennett (2005) ... Self

 2004 Head to Shrunken Head (Video documentary short)

Self

 2003 Countdown (TV Series)

Self - Dictionary Corner

- Episode #50.48 (2003) ... Self - Dictionary Corner

- Episode #50.47 (2003) ... Self - Dictionary Corner

- Episode #50.46 (2003) ... Self - Dictionary Corner

- Episode #50.45 (2003) ... Self - Dictionary Corner

- Episode #50.44 (2003) ... Self - Dictionary Corner

 2003 Interviews with Professors & More (Video documentary short)

Self

 2001 Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend (Video documentary short)

Self

 2001 A History of Britain (TV Series documentary)

- The Wrong Empire (2001) ... (voice)

 2000 Christmas Glory 2000 (TV Special documentary)

Reader

 2000 TFI Friday (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #5.19 (2000) ... Self

 1999 Masterchef (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #9.8 (1999) ... Self

 1988 An Audience with Victoria Wood (TV Special)

Self - Audience Member (uncredited)

 1985 The Book Game (TV Series)

Self - Reader

- Episode #3.6 (1985) ... Self - Reader

- Episode #3.3 (1985) ... Self - Reader

 1982 Connections (TV Series)

Self - Panellist

- Episode #1.1 (1982) ... Self - Panellist

 1981 The Shattered Dream: Employment in the Eighties (TV Series documentary)

Voice-over

Archive footage (15 credits)

 2022 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (TV Special documentary)

 2019 An Accidental Studio (Documentary)

 2016 The Making of the Lady in the Van (Video documentary short)

Stage Role (uncredited)

 2014 The Oscars (TV Special)

Self - Actor (In Memoriam)

 2014 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special)

Self - In Memoriam

 2013 Theater Talk (TV Series)

Self - Guest

- Critic John Simon and Remembering Richard Griffiths (2013) ... Self - Guest

 2013 The 67th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special documentary)

Self - Actor (In Memoriam)

 2010 Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Video Game)

Uncle Vernon

 2007 Ballet Shoes: Interview with Emma Watson (Video documentary short)

Great Uncle Matthew (uncredited)

 2006 A Taste of My Life (TV Series documentary)

Hector

- Alan Bennett (2006) ... Hector (uncredited)

 2005 Making of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (Video documentary short)

Jeltz (uncredited)

 2004 Care of Magical Creatures (Video documentary short)

Uncle Vernon Dursley (uncredited)

 2004 Creating the Vision (Video documentary short)

Vernon Dursley (uncredited)

 2002 The Real Vicars of Dibley (TV Movie documentary)

Bishop of Mulberry (uncredited)

 1983 Minder (TV Series)

Appearance by

- Minder's Christmas Bonus (1983) ... Appearance by