Vale: Richard Griffiths
Actor Richard Griffiths, best known for the Harry Potter films and Pie in the Sky series, has died, aged 65.
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Veteran British actor Richard Griffiths, best known for the Harry Potter films and Pie in the Sky series, has died, aged 65.
The actor, who had a long career in film, television and stage, died following complications after heart surgery.
Griffiths was feted for his roles as the eccentric Uncle Monty in the cult classic Withnail and I and Hector, the unconventional teacher in Alan Bennett’s play The History Boys, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for best actor, the UK Drama Desk Award for outstanding actor in a play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for best featured actor in a play, and a Tony Award for best performance by a leading actor in a play.
He gained widespread fame as grumpy Uncle Vernon in the Harry Potter films and was much loved as disillusioned police officer and pie chef, Inspector Henry Crabbe, in the successful TV detective drama series Pie In The Sky.
Other TV credits included The Sweeney, Minder, Bird of Prey, Bergerac, A Kind of Living, Inspector Morse, The Vicar of Dibley, Hope & Glory and Episodes.
Daniel Radcliffe said, “In August 2000, before official production had even begun on Potter, we filmed a shot outside the Dursleys’, which was my first ever shot as Harry. I was nervous and he made me feel at ease.
“Seven years later we embarked on Equus together. It was my first time doing a play but, terrified as I was, his encouragement, tutelage and humour made it a joy. In fact, any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence. I am proud to say I knew him.”
Source: Guardian
9 Responses
Sad news RIP
I loved him in Pie in the Sky also eventually Harry Potter. My condolences to his family and friends.
“Oh! you little traitors. I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is a certain je ne sais quoi – oh, so very special – about a firm, young carrot…”
R.I.P. Uncle Monty
Oh no! R.I.P. I just watched Sleepy Hollow last night.
What a shame, but we can hardly be surprised, he’s always been morbidly obese.
But I loved his work, Pie in the Sky particularly. So very different – and still floating around on one of the digital channels.
I loved “Pie In The Sky”.
I’m so sad to hear this.
He was Brilliant!
My sincere condolences to family, friends & fans.
Rest In Peace 🙁
Little known fact is that he was considered to be the Fifth and Eighth Doctors
I was suprised to see he was only 65.He looked around 60 in the Pie in The Sky & Naked Gun 2/1/2 and they were 20 years ago.
I remember him as the great Henry Crabbe. Food and crime was so much more entertaining when he was in Pie in the Sky!