Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths OBE | |
---|---|
Born | Richard Thomas Griffiths 31 July 1947 Thornaby-on-Tees, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
Died | 28 March 2013 Coventry, West Midlands, England | (aged 65)
Resting place | St Mary The Virgin Churchyard, Bearley, Warwickshire |
Education | Stockton & Billingham College |
Alma mater | Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1974–2013 |
Spouse |
Heather Gibson (m. 1980) |
Awards | See awards section |
Richard Thomas Griffiths
For his performance in the stage play
He had supporting roles in such critically acclaimed films as Chariots of Fire (1981), The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), Gandhi (1982), A Private Function (1984), Venus (2006), Ballet Shoes (2007), and Hugo (2011). He also appeared in the commercial films The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), Bedtime Stories (2008), and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).
Early years
Richard Thomas Griffiths was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Riding of Yorkshire, to Jane (née Denmark, 1923–1969) and Thomas Griffiths (1915–1976). His father was a steelworker who also fought in pubs for money, while his mother's occupation was described as "bagger".[3] He had an elder sister and two elder brothers, all of whom died in infancy before he was born. He was brought up as a Roman Catholic.[1][4]
As a boy he was so skinny that he was given radiation therapy on his pituitary gland when he was eight years old. This permanently slowed his metabolism, making him struggle with obesity for the rest of his life.[5]
His parents were both deaf[6] and he became fluent in British Sign Language at an early age. During his childhood he attempted to run away from home many times. He dropped out of Our Lady & St Bede School in Stockton-on-Tees at the age of 15 and worked as a porter for Littlewoods for a while but his boss eventually persuaded him to go back to school.[7] He decided to attend a drama class at Stockton & Billingham College.[7] He continued his education in drama at Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre (now Manchester School of Theatre)[8] at the same time as Bernard Hill.
Career
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2016) |
After graduating, Griffiths won a contract on
Griffiths' film roles were in both contemporary and period pieces. Some of his most memorable roles included supporting parts in films as
He appeared as Inspector Henry Crabbe, disillusioned policeman and pie chef extraordinaire, in
Together with his Harry Potter co-star
Griffiths was considered for the part of
In 2005 he asked a member of the audience to leave a performance of Heroes after her phone rang three times.[27] Such interruptions due to audience distractions happened three times in his career.[28]
Griffiths appeared in a cameo as King George II in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.[29] He appeared in the first episode of the television series Episodes as Julian Bullard.[30] In April 2012, Griffiths starred, with Danny DeVito, in a revival of the Neil Simon play The Sunshine Boys. The show previewed at the Savoy Theatre from 27 April 2012, opening on 17 May and playing a limited 12-week season until 28 July.[31]
Personal life
Griffiths met Heather Gibson in 1973 and they married in 1980.[32] They had no children. Griffiths 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.[7][33]
He was the godfather of comedian Jack Whitehall.[34]
Death
Griffiths died aged 65 at University Hospital Coventry on 28 March 2013 after complications following heart surgery.[35]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet | Sam Broadbent | |
1980 | Breaking Glass | Studio engineer | |
Superman II | Terrorist #3 | ||
1981 | Chariots of Fire | Head Porter at Caius College | |
The French Lieutenant's Woman | Sir Tom | ||
Ragtime | Delmas' Assistant No. 1 | ||
1982 | Britannia Hospital | Cheerful Bernie | |
Gandhi | Collins | ||
1983 | Gorky Park | Anton | |
1984 | Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan | Captain Billings | |
A Private Function | Henry Allardyce the Accountant | ||
1986 | Shanghai Surprise | Willie Tuttle | |
1987 | Withnail and I | Uncle Monty | |
1991 | King Ralph | Duncan Phipps | |
The Naked Gun 2+1⁄2: The Smell of Fear | Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer / Earl Hacker | ||
1992 | Blame It on the Bellboy | Maurice Horton | |
1994 | Guarding Tess | Frederick | |
1995 | Funny Bones | Jim Minty | |
1997 | The Warrens | ||
1999 | Sleepy Hollow | Magistrate Philipse | |
Casper & Spooky | |||
2000 | Vatel | Dr. Bourdelot | |
2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | Vernon Dursley |
|
2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | ||
2004 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | ||
Stage Beauty | Sir Charles Sedley | ||
2005 | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Jeltz |
Voice |
Opa! | Tierrney | ||
2006 | Venus | Donald | |
The History Boys | Hector | ||
2007 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | Vernon Dursley | |
2008 | Bedtime Stories | Barry Nottingham | |
2010 | National Theatre Live: The Habit of Art | Fitz / W.H. Auden | |
Jackboots on Whitehall | Hermann Göring | Voice | |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 | Vernon Dursley | ||
2011 | Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides | King George II | |
Hugo | Monsieur Frick | ||
2012 | Private Peaceful | The Colonel | |
2013 | About Time | Defence Lawyer in play (uncredited) | Posthumous release Final film role |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1974 | Crown Court | Interpreter | Episode 3.31: "Duress: Part 1" |
Village Hall | Mr. Ridealgh | Episode 1.1: "Mr. Ellis Versus the People" | |
ITV Playhouse |
Park keeper | Episode 7.2: "Norma" | |
1976 | When the Boat Comes In | P.C. Price | Episode 1.1 "A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots" |
Red Letter Day | Window cleaner | Episode 1.3: "Well Thank You, Thursday" | |
The Expert | Ripley | Episode 4.10: "Tainted Money" | |
1977 | Second City Firsts | Episode 8.1: "Twelve Off the Belt" | |
ITV Playhouse |
Board member | Episode 9.10: "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" | |
1978 | The Comedy of Errors |
Officer | TV play |
The Sweeney | Ronnie Harries | Episode 4.14: "Jack or Knave" | |
1979 | Afternoon Off | Mr. Turnbull | TV play |
1980 | Nobody's Perfect | Sam Hooper | 14 episodes |
1981 | Prisoners of Conscience | William Beausire | Episode 1.1: "William Beausire" |
1982 | Minder | Derek Farrow | Episode: "Dreamhouse" |
Whoops Apocalypse | Premier Dubienkin | Episode: "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" | |
Bird of Prey | Henry Jay | 4 episodes | |
The World Cup: A Captain's Tale | Sidney Barron | TV film | |
Five-Minute Films | The Window Cleaner | Episode: "A Light Snack" | |
The Merry Wives of Windsor | Sir John Falstaff | Part of the BBC Television Shakespeare series | |
1983 | The Cleopatras | Pot Belly | 3 episodes |
Bergerac | Jean-Pierre | Episode 2.6: "Fall of a Birdman" | |
1984 | Bird of Prey 2 | Henry Jay | 4 episodes |
1985 | Bleak House | Mr Bayham Badger | BBC TV serial |
1986 | Boon | Sidney Garbutt | Episode: "Glasshouse People" |
1987 | Casanova | Cardinal | TV film |
Ffizz | Jack Mowbray | 12 episodes | |
The Marksman | Brown | TV mini-series | |
1988–90 | A Kind of Living | Trevor Beasley | 15 episodes |
1989 | Goldeneye | Second admiral | TV film |
1989 | Plum, A Portrait of P.G. Wodehouse | P.G. Wodehouse (voice) |
BBC documentary[36] |
1991 | Perfect Scoundrels | Phil Kirby | Episode: "Ssh, You Know Who" |
1992 | El C.I.D. | Weatherby | Episode: "Nothing Is Forever" |
The Good Guys |
Archie Phillips | Episode: "Going West" | |
Mr. Wakefield's Crusade | Porter | TV film | |
1993 | Inspector Morse | Canon Humphrey Appleton | Episode: "The Day of the Devil" |
Lovejoy | Hans Koopman | Episode: "They Call Me Midas" | |
1994 | A Breed of Heroes | Brian Beazely | TV film |
1993–95 | The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends | Various (voice) | 3 episodes |
1994–97 | Pie in the Sky | Henry Crabbe | All 40 episodes |
1998 | In the Red | Geoffrey Crichton-Potter | Episode 1.3 |
The Canterbury Tales | Saturn (voice) | Episode: "Leaving London" | |
Oi! Get Off Our Train | Elephant (voice) | TV short | |
Ted & Ralph |
Landowner at Party | TV film | |
1998–00 | Archibald the Koala | Archibald (voice) | Episode: The Dragon |
1999 | The Vicar of Dibley | Bishop of Mulberry | Episode: "Spring" |
2000 | Gormenghast | Swelter | TV mini-series; 2 episodes |
Hope and Glory | Leo Wheeldon | 10 episodes | |
2002 | TLC | Mr Benedict Ron | 6 episodes |
Jeffrey Archer: The Truth | Willie Whitelaw |
TV film | |
2003 | The Brides in the Bath | Sir Edward Marshall Hall | TV film |
2005 | Princes in the Tower | Sir Thomas More (voice) | TV film |
Bleak House | Mr. Bayham Badger | 2 episodes | |
2007 | Ballet Shoes | Great Uncle Matthew Brown "Gum" | TV film |
2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Santa Claus | TV film |
2010 | National Theatre Live | Fitz / W.H. Auden |
TV play: The Habit of Art |
2011 | George and Bernard Shaw | Bernard | Episode: "Pilot" |
Episodes | Julian Bullard | Episode: "Episode One" | |
2012 | The Hollow Crown – Henry V |
Duke of Burgundy | TV film |
Theatre
Year | Production | Role | Venue | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | Measure for Measure | Abhorson/Guard | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre | [37] |
The Tempest | Gonzalo | The Other Palace, London | ||
1976–77 | The Comedy of Errors | Officer | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre | |
1976–77 | Romeo and Juliet | Peter | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre | |
1977 | The Days of the Commune | Thiers | Aldwych Theatre, London | |
1978 | The Tempest | Trinculo | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre | |
1978–79 | Measure for Measure | Pompey | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre | |
1978 | A Miserable and Lonely Death | Dr. Gordon | Donmar Warehouse, London | |
1983–84 | Volpone | Volpone | The Other Place, London | |
2004–2005 | The History Boys | Hector | Lyttelton Theatre, London | |
2006 | Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway | |||
2008–09 | Equus | Martin Dysart | ||
2010 | The Habit of Art | Fitz/W. H. Auden | Lyttelton Theatre, London | |
2012 | The Sunshine Boys | Al | Savoy Theatre, London | [38] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | Clarence Derwent Awards | Best Supporting Male | — | Won | [39] |
2003 | Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Nominated | |
2005 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actor | The History Boys | Won | [40] |
2006 | Tony Award |
Best Actor in a Play | Won | [41] | |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Won | |||
Outer Critics Circle Award |
Best Actor in a Play | Won | |||
Theatre World Award | — | Won | |||
2007 | British Academy Film Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | The History Boys | Nominated | [39] |
London Film Critics' Circle | Best Actor of the Year | Nominated | |||
Chlotrudis Awards |
Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b Topping, Alexandra (29 March 2013). "Richard Griffiths, uncle to Withnail and Harry Potter, dies aged 65". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Potter and Withnail actor Richard Griffiths dies". BBC Online. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Richard Griffiths". Telegraph. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Laurence, Charles (4 October 2006). "Part 3 of Griffiths interview". Saga Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- ^ "Falstaffian actor who could be comic and poignant all at once". 2 April 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Wadler, Joyce (11 June 2006). "Richard Griffiths, Raised in Silence, Exults in Applause". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ a b c "Teesside actor Richard Griffiths dies of complications following heart surgery". Teesside Evening Gazette. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "Alumni". The Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre web site. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ Quinn, Michael (8 April 2013). "Richard Griffiths". The Stage. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ "In pictures: The career of Richard Griffiths". BBC News. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ a b Spencer, Liese (28 June 1997). "The Full Monty". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Bird, John (2 October 1981). "William Beausire". John Morgan, Richard Griffiths, Alison Key. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (29 March 2013). "Richard Griffiths, Falstaffian English Actor, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ Lyttelton, Oliver (29 March 2013). "R.I.P. 'Withnail & I' And 'Harry Potter' Star Richard Griffiths (1947–2013)". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ Memmott, Mark (29 March 2013). "Actor Richard Griffiths, Uncle Vernon In 'Harry Potter' Movies, Dies". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (29 March 2013). "Richard Griffiths, Harry Potter Actor, Dies at 65". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Equus". London Theatre Guide. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "BBC Archive: Nearly Who". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - OCLC 58831947.
- )
- ^ "Bedtime Stories". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (8 September 2008). "It's gonna be a green Muppets Christmas". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Actor snaps over ring mobile". BBC News. 22 November 2005. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
- ^ Burkeman, Oliver (30 September 2006). "A break in the clouds". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Exclusive: Pirates 4 News From Rush". Empireonline.com. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Richard Griffiths Joins LeBlanc & Mangan In Showtime/BBC's 'Episodes'". Broadwayworld.com. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Kemp, Stuart (31 January 2012). "Danny DeVito to Make West End Debut in 'The Sunshine Boys'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ Farndale, Nigel (25 February 2007). "Big unfriendly giant". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "New Years Honours List". BBC News. 29 December 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "Jack Whitehall reveals what his dad Michael is really like". Radio Times. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Potter and Withnail actor Richard Griffiths dies". BBC News. BBC. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "PG Wodehouse – Plum – Bookmark – BBC Documentary – 1989". BBC2. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Richard Griffiths theatre profile". www.abouttheartists.com.
- ^ "DeVito praised for West End debut". BBC News. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Richard Griffiths". IMDb. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ Gordon, David (29 March 2013). "Tony Award Winner Richard Griffiths, Best-Known for the Harry Potter Films and Broadway's History Boys, Has Died". www.theatermania.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ "Richard Griffiths". Playbill. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
External links
- Richard Griffiths at IMDb
- Richard Griffiths at Find a Grave
- Richard Griffiths at the Internet Broadway Database
- Richard Griffiths at the BFI's Screenonline
- Actors On Performing – Working in the Theatre Seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, April 2006