Daniel Radcliffe Responds to Death of Co-Star Richard Griffiths

BBC News reported today that English actor of stage, film and television, Richard Griffiths has died at age 65 after complications from recent heart surgery. The actor appeared opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the 2007 West End revival of Equus at the Gielgud Theatre. The production transferred to Broadway in 2009 with the actors reprising their roles. The duo also appeared together in The Harry Potter film series as Harry Potter and Vernon Dursley.

Today, Radcliffe responded to the news of Griffiths passing:

"Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career. 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 humor 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."

Griffiths was appointed an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honors. He received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, all for his role in the play The History Boys. On film he portrayed Unchle Monty in 'Withnail and I.' He most recently appeared on the stage opposite Danny DeVito in The Sunshine Boys.

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