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Richard Briers

Date of Death: February 17, 2013

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Richard Briers BIO

Prominent for half a century, Briers' career encompassed television, stage, film and radio performances. Briers first came to prominence as George Starling in Marriage Lines in the 1960s, but it was in the following decade, when he played Tom Good in the BBC sitcom The Good Life (1975-78), that he became a household name. In the 1980s he starred in Ever Decreasing Circles (1984-89), and had a leading role in Monarch of the Glen (2000-02).

Briers spent much of his career in the theatre, including appearances in plays by Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. In 1967, one of his earliest successes was playing alongside Michael Hordern and Celia Johnson in the London production of Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking.

Briers was a member of Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company, taking on classical and Shakespearean roles including Malvolio in the production of Twelfth Night and the title parts in King Lear and Uncle Vanya. Briers also appeared in nine of Branagh's films, including Twelfth Night (1988, as Malvolio); Henry V (1989, as Bardolph), Much Ado About Nothing (1993, as Signor Leonato) and Hamlet (1996, as Polonius).

Richard Briers STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1998
Old Man


Richard Briers Movies

Girls at Sea
[ 1958 ] Popeye Lewis
Let's Get Married
[ 1960 ] Student
Bottoms Up
[ 1960 ] Colbourne
Murder She Said
[ 1961 ] Mrs. Binster
A Matter of WHO
[ 1961 ] Jamieson
The Girl on the Boat
[ 1962 ] Eustace Hignett
The Bargee
[ 1964 ] Tomkins
A Home of Your Own
[ 1965 ] The Husband
Fathom
[ 1967 ] Timothy
All the Way Up
[ 1970 ] Nigel Hadfield
Rentadick
[ 1972 ] Miles Gannet
Watership Down
[ 1978 ] Fiver
A Chorus of Disapproval
[ 1989 ] Ted Whbrook
Henry V
[ 1989 ] Lieutenant Bardolph
Peter's Friends
[ 1992 ] Lord Morton
Much Ado About Nothing
[ 1993 ] Leonato
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
[ 1994 ] Grandfather
A Midwinter's Tale
[ 1995 ] Henry Wakefield Claudius, the Ghost, and the Player King
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Polonius
Spice World
[ 1997 ] Bishop
Love's Labour's Lost
[ 2000 ] Sir Nathaniel
Unconditional Love
[ 2002 ] Barry Moore
Peter Pan
[ 2003 ] Smee
Bob the Builder: When Bob Became a Builder
[ 2004 ] Robert UK
As You Like It
[ 2006 ] Adam
National Theatre Live: London Assurance
[ 2010 ] Mr. Adolphus Spanker
The Only One Who Knows You're Afraid
[ 2011 ] Narrator
Run for Your Wife
[ 2012 ] Newspaper Seller
Cockneys vs Zombies
[ 2012 ] Hamish

Richard Briers TV Shows

All in Good Faith
Reverend Philip Lambe
Bob the Builder
Robert UK
Ever Decreasing Circles
Martin Bryce
Jackanory
Storyteller
Monarch of the Glen
Hector MacDonald
One-Upmanship
Stephen Potter
The Good Life
Tom Good
The Other One
Ralph Tanner
Watership Down
Captain Broom

Richard Briers Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Richard Briers, The Chairs

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Richard Briers, The Chairs

Olivier Awards - 1991 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Richard BriersThe Wind In The Willows

Richard Briers News


CSC and the Coolidge to Present SHAKESPEARE REIMAGINED: A MIDWINTER'S TALE This Month


Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and Coolidge Corner Theatre present Shakespeare Reimagined: A MIDWINTER’S TALE, a new production written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. This article provides details about the upcoming performance on Thursday, February 29 at 7 PM.

The Best Books for Theatre Lovers This Festive Season


As the festive season rushes towards us, BroadwayWorld gives you some suggestions for books for the theatre-lovers in your life. From conversations with women theatre directors, to special editions of Suzie Miller's Prima Facie to Judi Dench's exploration of Shakespeare, there really is something for every bookworm in your life.

22 Theater Books for Your Winter 2024 Reading List


The weather outside might still be frightful for a while, but what better time to stay in and snuggle up with a great Broadway read? Check out our complete Winter 2024 reading list!

Review Roundup: Bertie Carvel and Patsy Ferran Star in PYGMALION at The Old Vic. What Did the Critics Think?


After a chance meeting with Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, flower seller Eliza Doolittle finds herself the subject of a rash bet to pass her off as a lady amongst the great and the good of London society.

NOISES OFF Will Return to the West End in September 2023


Michael Frayn’s multi award-winning farce, Noises Off, will return to the West End with a twelve week season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from September 27 2023. Learn more about the show and how to purchase tickets here!

Katherine Kingsley Joins the Cast of NOISES OFF in the West End


Michael Frayn's multi award-winning farce Noises Off continues its highly praised and critically acclaimed run at the West End's Phoenix Theatre until 11 March 2023. From Monday 13 February 2023, West End star and three-time Olivier Award-winning actress Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singin' in the Rain, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) will play Belinda Blair.

NOISES OFF Will Open in the West End Next Year; Cast Announced


Michael Frayn's multi award-winning farce, Noises Off, will head to the West End's Phoenix Theatre for a strictly limited run from 19 January to 11 March 2023 with tickets now on sale.

Full Cast Revealed for 40th Anniversary Tour of NOISES OFF


The full cast has been announced for the 40th Anniversary tour of Michael Frayn’s multi award-winning farce, Noises Off, which will visit Theatre Royal Brighton from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 October 2022. 

Tracy-Ann Oberman and Matthew Kelly Join Felicity Kendal in the NOISES OFF 40th Anniversary Tour


The full cast has been announced for the 40th Anniversary tour of Michael Frayn's multi award-winning farce, Noises Off, which will open at Theatre Royal Bath from 22 September 2022, before heading on to Richmond, Brighton and Cambridge.

Dame Judi Dench Praises Award-Winning Play VILLAGE WOOING As It Comes To Cambridgeshire


Oscar winner and 'national treasure' Dame Judi Dench has congratulated a young theatre company for their award-winning production of George Bernard Shaw's intimate comedy Village Wooing, and wishes them luck as they take the show on the road.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Will Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Michael Frayn's NOISES OFF in May


Get ready for a riotous night out this summer as Pitlochry Festival Theatre celebrates the 40th anniversary of Michael Frayn's irresistible farce within a farce from 27 May-1 October.

Felicity Kendal Will Lead NOISES OFF 40th Anniversary Production


Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents one of the greatest British comedies ever written, starring one of our best-loved stage and screen stars, Felicity Kendal.

CLINTON BAPTISTE VS RAMONE Will Embark on a UK Tour in 2022


The public are rightly hypnotised by mere mortals with extra-sensory ability, and Britain is honoured to have spawned two of the most gifted mystics in the world - two maestros of the metaphysical, who also happen to hate each other.

VILLAGE WOOING - a Comedietta for Two Voices- Wins London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation 'Rediscovery' Award


SHAW2020's production of VILLAGE WOOING - a Comedietta for Two Voices, written nearly 100 years ago by George Bernard Shaw, has won the London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation 'Rediscovery' Award.

BWW Review: THE GOOD LIFE, Theatre Royal Bath


It couldn't be more timely that the iconic 70s British TV sitcom, The Good Life - attracting 21 million viewers at its peak in 1977 - now comes to theatres.

THE GOOD LIFE Will Tour the UK From Next Month


The acclaimed cast will include actress and presenter Preeya Kalidas as 'Margo Leadbetter', Dominic Rowan as 'Jerry Leadbetter', and Sally Tatum as 'Barbara Good', joining the previously announced actor and comedian Rufus Hound as 'Tom Good'. Also featured will be Nigel Betts and Tessa Churchard.

VILLAGE WOOING Will Be Performed as Part of the Camden Fringe Festival at Etcetera Theatre in August


This hour-long play has had may incarnations, most notably in a 1979 ITV production, starring Richard Briers as 'A' and Dame Judi Dench, a Shaw Society vice-president, as 'Z'.

World Premiere Stage Production of THE GOOD LIFE Announces UK Tour Beginning in October


A brand new stage adaptation of beloved British sitcom THE GOOD LIFE will tour the UK this Autumn. The new comedy by Jeremy Sams, is based on the classic television series by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey which entertained countless millions in the 1970s.

New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of November 30 - Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, Linda Eder, Liz Callaway, and More!


Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes the new Christmas album from Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, new music from Linda Eder, Liz Callaway, and more.

Lockdown Theatre Announces Live Virtual Table Read Of Tom Stoppard's THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND In Aid Of The Royal Theatrical Fund


Following the success of Noël Coward's Private Lives in September which raised £44,000 for the Royal Theatrical Fund, Lockdown Theatre today announces a live virtual table read of The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard, in association with The Royal Theatrical Fund. The table read will take place via Zoom, followed by a live Q&A with the cast and director on Sunday 25 October at 7pm.

Richard Briers FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Richard Briers been in?

Richard Briers has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Richard Briers been in?

Richard Briers has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Richard Briers been nominated for?

Richard Briers has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Outstanding Actor - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for his performance in "The Chairs." Additionally, he received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards, also for "The Chairs." Briers was also nominated for Comedy Performance of the Year at the Olivier Awards for his role in "The Wind In The Willows."

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