Richard Griffiths

Born:July 31, 1947

Place of Birth:Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Died:March 28, 2013

Known For:Acting

Biography

Richard Griffiths, born on July 31, 1947, in England, left an indelible mark on the world of film, television, and stage throughout his illustrious career. Known for his exceptional talent and versatility, Griffiths garnered numerous accolades for his performances, including a Tony Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his role in the acclaimed stage play "The History Boys."

One of Griffiths' most iconic roles was that of Vernon Dursley in the beloved Harry Potter film series, where he brought to life the character with a perfect blend of humor and sternness. His portrayal of the lovable yet grumpy Uncle Vernon endeared him to audiences worldwide and solidified his status as a versatile character actor.

In addition to his role in the Harry Potter franchise, Griffiths showcased his remarkable talent in a variety of other films and television shows. From his portrayal of Uncle Monty in "Withnail and I" to his role as Henry Crabbe in "Pie in the Sky," Griffiths consistently delivered captivating performances that left a lasting impression on viewers.

Throughout his career, Griffiths had the opportunity to work with some of the industry's most renowned directors and actors, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and respected performer. His roles in critically acclaimed films such as "Chariots of Fire," "Gandhi," and "The French Lieutenant's Woman" showcased his ability to bring depth and nuance to any character he portrayed.

In his later years, Griffiths continued to captivate audiences with his memorable performances in a variety of films, including "Sleepy Hollow," "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." His collaboration with legendary director Martin Scorsese in "Hugo" further demonstrated his enduring talent and versatility as an actor.

Richard Griffiths' legacy extends far beyond the screen and stage, as he left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment with his unparalleled talent and dedication to his craft. His contributions to the industry will continue to inspire future generations of actors and serve as a testament to his enduring impact on the world of film and theater.

On March 28, 2013, the world mourned the loss of a true talent with the passing of Richard Griffiths. Despite his untimely departure, his legacy lives on through his unforgettable performances and the profound influence he had on the world of entertainment. Richard Griffiths will always be remembered as a gifted actor whose passion for his craft brought joy and inspiration to audiences around the globe.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Vernon Dursley

2001

Harry Potter has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house his whole life. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard—with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he learns to harness his newfound powers with the help of the school's kindly headmaster, Harry uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths—and about the villain who's to blame.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Vernon Dursley

2002

Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s magical abilities and courage.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Vernon Dursley

2004

Year three at Hogwarts means new fun and challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger: soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school, an ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls, and fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban. And Harry will confront them all.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Vernon Dursley

2007

Returning for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts, Harry is stunned to find that his warnings about the return of Lord Voldemort have been ignored. Left with no choice, Harry takes matters into his own hands, training a small group of students to defend themselves against the dark arts.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Vernon Dursley

2010

Harry, Ron and Hermione walk away from their last year at Hogwarts to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, putting an end to Voldemort's bid for immortality. But with Harry's beloved Dumbledore dead and Voldemort's unscrupulous Death Eaters on the loose, the world is more dangerous than ever.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

King George

2011

Captain Jack Sparrow crosses paths with a woman from his past, and he's not sure if it's love — or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

About Time

Lawyer in Play (uncredited)

2013

The night after another unsatisfactory New Year's party, Tim's father tells his son that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. They can't change history, but they can change what happens and has happened in their own lives. Thus begins the start of a lesson in learning to appreciate life itself as it is, as it comes, and most importantly, the people living alongside us.

Hugo

Monsieur Frick

2011

Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Accompanied by the goddaughter of an embittered toy merchant, Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home.

Sleepy Hollow

Bürgermeister Phillipse

1999

Skeptical young detective Ichabod Crane gets transferred to the hamlet of Sleepy Hollow, New York, where he is tasked with investigating the decapitations of three people – murders the townsfolk attribute to a legendary specter, The Headless Horseman.

Gandhi

Collins

1982

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

Dr. Meinheimer / Earl Hacker

1991

Bumbling lieutenant Frank Drebin is out to foil the big boys in the energy industry, who intend to suppress technology that will put them out of business.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Jeltz (voice)

2005

Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

Superman II

Terrorist

1980

Three escaped criminals from the planet Krypton, who have the same powers on Earth as Superman, test the Man of Steel's mettle. Led by General Zod, the Kryptonians take control of the White House and partner with Lex Luthor to destroy Superman and rule the world. But Superman, who made himself human in order to get closer to Lois, realizes he has a responsibility to save the planet.

Bedtime Stories

Barry Nottingham

2008

Skeeter Bronson is a down-on-his-luck guy who's always telling bedtime stories to his niece and nephew. But his life is turned upside down when the fantastical stories he makes up for entertainment inexplicably turn into reality. Can a bewildered Skeeter manage his own unruly fantasies now that the outrageous characters and situations from his mind have morphed into actual people and events?

Chariots of Fire

Head Porter - Caius College

1981

In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.

Gorky Park

Anton

1983

Police Inspector Renko tries to solve the case of three bodies found in Moscow's Gorky Park but finds his attempts to solve the crime impeded by his superiors. Working on his own, Renko seeks out more information and stumbles across a conspiracy involving the highest levels of the government.

Withnail & I

Monty

1987

Two out-of-work actors -- the anxious, luckless Marwood and his acerbic, alcoholic friend, Withnail -- spend their days drifting between their squalid flat, the unemployment office and the pub. When they take a holiday "by mistake" at the country house of Withnail's flamboyantly gay uncle, Monty, they encounter the unpleasant side of the English countryside: tedium, terrifying locals and torrential rain.

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes

Captain Billings

1984

A shipping disaster in the 19th Century has stranded a man and woman in the wilds of Africa. The lady is pregnant, and gives birth to a son in their tree house. Soon after, a family of apes stumble across the house and in the ensuing panic, both parents are killed. A female ape takes the tiny boy as a replacement for her own dead infant, and raises him as her son. Twenty years later, Captain Phillippe D'Arnot discovers the man who thinks he is an ape. Evidence in the tree house leads him to believe that he is the direct descendant of the Earl of Greystoke, and thus takes it upon himself to return the man to civilization.

Ragtime

Delmas' Assistant No. 1

1981

A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.