Richard Griffiths

**Richard Thomas Griffiths**, OBE (31 July 1947 – 28 March 2013) was a British movie, stage, television, Actor and Voice actor. He appeared in many movies, plays, and television programs.

Griffiths is mostly known for his roles as Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon Dursley in the _Harry Potter_ movie series, Uncle Monty in _Withnail and I_, Henry Crabbe in _Pie in the Sky_, and as King George II in _Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides_. He won a Laurence Olivier Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a Tony Award.

## Early life

Griffiths was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Riding of Yorkshire, England on 31 July 1947. He lived in Manchester, England during his early adulthood. He was raised as Roman Catholic. His parents were both deaf, and he learned sign language at an early age so that he could communicate with them.

During his childhood he tried to run away from home many times. He dropped out of Our Lady & St Bede School in Stockton-on-Tees at age 15. Griffiths was educated at Stockton & Billingham College and at Manchester School of Theatre.

## Career

Griffiths' movie roles were in: _Gorky Park_ (1983), _Withnail and I_ (1987), _King Ralph_ (1991), _The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear_ (1991), _Guarding Tess_ (1994) and _Sleepy Hollow_ (1999). Later, he played Harry Potter's cruel uncle Vernon Dursley in the _Harry Potter movie series_ (_Sorcerer's Stone_, _Chamber of Secrets_, _Prisoner of Azkaban_, _Order of the Phoenix_, and _Deathly Hallows Part 1_.)

Griffiths appeared as King George II in 2011's _Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides_. He appeared in the first episode of the television series _Episodes_ as Julian Bullard.

Griffiths once got a standing ovation after ejecting a female audience member from his _West End_ play. Her ringtone sounded for the third time during Griffiths play.

In April 2012, Griffiths starred, with Danny DeVito, in a revival of the Neil Simon play _The Sunshine Boys_. The show was played at the Savoy Theatre from 27 April 2012, opening on 17 May and playing a limited 12-week season until 28 July.

## Personal life

Griffiths was married to Heather Gibson from 1980 until his death in 2013. He had no children.

### Death

Griffiths died on 28 March 2013 during heart surgery in Coventry, West Midlands, England, aged 65. Many reactions were posted on Twitter after his death. Some were from Daniel Radcliffe, Warwick Davis, and Richard E. Grant. His funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire on 9 April 2013, with over four hundred mourners, including Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Bennett, Michael Palin, Richard E. Grant, Jack Whitehall and Judi Dench.

## Honors

He was awarded an honorary degree from Teesside University in 2006 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Richard Griffiths
- **honorific suffix**: Order of the British Empire, OBE
- **image**: Richard Griffiths at BAFTA 2007 (387023768).jpg
- **caption**: Griffiths in November 2007
- **birth name**: Richard Thomas Griffiths
- **birth place**: Thornaby-on-Tees, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK
- **death place**: Coventry, West Midlands, England, UK
- **death cause**: Complications from heart surgery
- **nationality**: British people, British
- **education**: Stockton & Billingham College
- **resting place**: St. Mary The Virgin Churchyard, Bearly, Warwickshire, England, UK
- **alma mater**: Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester School of Theatre
- **known for**: **Uncle Monty** in _Withnail and I_,
**Vernon Dursley** in _Harry Potter, Harry Potter movie series_
- **height**: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
- **occupation**: Actor, Voice actor
- **yearsactive**: 1974–2012
- **spouse**: (his death) 2 children
- **awards**: Laurence Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics, Tony Award