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 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
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