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Richard Griffiths

Birth Place: Thornaby-on-Tees, ENGLAND

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Richard Griffiths BIO

Richard Griffiths was a British actor known for his versatility and commanding stage presence. Born in North Yorkshire in 1947, Griffiths initially worked as a stage manager before deciding to pursue acting full-time. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and made his professional debut in a production of Joe Orton's "Entertaining Mr. Sloane" at the New Arts Theatre in 1969.
Griffiths quickly established himself as a formidable talent, and went on to appear in a wide range of productions on stage, screen, and television. He was particularly renowned for his work in the plays of Alan Bennett, with whom he had a close working relationship. He played the role of Hector in Bennett's "The History Boys" both on stage and in the 2006 film adaptation, earning critical acclaim and a number of awards for his performance.
Griffiths also had a notable career in film, appearing in a number of high-profile productions over the years. He played Uncle Vernon Dursley in the "Harry Potter" film series, and also had roles in movies like "Chariots of Fire," "Gandhi," and "Hugo." He was a versatile performer, equally adept at playing comedic and dramatic roles, and was highly respected by his peers in the industry.
On television, Griffiths was a familiar face to audiences around the world. He appeared in a number of popular British series, including "Pie in the Sky," "The Vicar of Dibley," and "Minder." He also had a recurring role on the HBO series "Six Feet Under," playing the character of Nathaniel Fisher, Sr.
Despite his success in other mediums, Griffiths remained devoted to the stage throughout his career. He appeared in a number of productions in London's West End, including "The Caretaker," "Equus," and "The History Boys." He also had a successful run on Broadway, earning a Tony Award for his performance in "The History Boys" in 2006.
Griffiths was widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, and his passing in 2013 was a great loss to the industry. His legacy, however, lives on through his many memorable performances on stage, screen, and television. His most recent work was in the 2012 film "Private Peaceful," in which he played the character of The Colonel.

Richard Griffiths Photos

Richard Griffiths STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2012
Willy Clark

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Martin Dysart

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Hector

Hector [Replacement]

Hector

Hector [Replacement]


Richard Griffiths Movies

[1976]It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet Sam Broadbent

[1980]Superman II Terrorist #3

[1980]Breaking Glass Studio Engineer

[1981]The French Lieutenant's Woman Sir Tom

[1981]Chariots of Fire Head Porter-Caius College

[1982]Britannia Hospital Cheerful Bernie

[1982]Gandhi Collins

[1983]Gorky Park Anton

[1984]A Private Function Allardyce

[1984]Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Captain Billings

[1986]Shanghai Surprise Willie Tuttle

[1987]Withnail & I Monty

[1991]King Ralph Phipps

[1991]The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear Dr. Meinheimer, Earl Hacker

[1992]Blame It on the Bellboy Maurice Horton

[1994]Guarding Tess Frederick

[1995]Funny Bones Jim Minty

[1999]Sleepy Hollow Magistrate Philipse

[2000]Vatel Dr. Bourdelot

[2001]Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Uncle Vernon Dursley

[2002]Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Uncle Vernon

[2004]Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Uncle Vernon

[2004]Stage Beauty Sir Charles Sedley

[2005]The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Jeltz

[2005]Lost in Love Tierney

[2006]The History Boys Hector

[2006]Venus Donald

[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

[2010]Jackboots on Whitehall Hermann Goering

[2010]Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Vernon Dursley

[2011]Hugo Monsieur Frick

[2011]Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides King George

[2012]Private Peaceful The Colonel


Richard Griffiths TV Shows

A Kind of Living Trevor Beasley

Ffizz Jack Mowbray

Nobody's Perfect Sam Hooper

Pie in the Sky Henry Crabbe

The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends Mr. Jackson, Mr. Alderman Ptolomy Tortoise, Sir Isaac Newton

Richard Griffiths Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Richard Griffiths, The History Boys

Olivier Awards - 2006 - Best Actor

Richard GriffithsHeroes

Theatre World Awards - 2006 - Performance

Richard Griffiths, The History Boys

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Richard GriffithsThe History Boys

Evening Standard Awards - 2004 - Best Actor

Richard GriffithsThe History Boys

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Richard GriffithsOnce In A Lifetime

Richard Griffiths Videos

Richard Griffiths News


Actor Sir Michael Gambon Dies Aged 82

Sir Michael Gambon, who had an acting career that took him from Laurence Olivier’s nascent National Theatre to screen roles in the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 82.

Daniel Radcliffe and Girlfriend Erin Darke Welcome First Baby

Congratulations to Daniel Radcliffe and his girlfriend Erin Darke on welcoming their first baby! No further details have been released at this time.

Videos: Daniel Radcliffe Joins The Trevor Project For LGBTQ+ Chat Series SHARING SPACE

Actor Daniel Radcliffe joins The Trevor Project on the first episode of their new web series, Sharing Space, featuring candid conversations with LGBTQ young people. The talks will illuminate their unique personal journeys and explore what genuine allyship looks like. See a video preview of the first episode of 'Sharing Space'!

Daniel Radcliffe and Erin Darke are Expecting First Child

Daniel Radcliffe, who can next be seen in the Broadway transfer of NYTW's Merrily We Roll Along, and his longtime partner Erin Darke have revealed that they are expecting their first child. 

Danny DeVito Will Return to Broadway in Theresa Rebeck's I NEED THAT; Roundabout Announces 2023-2024 Season

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the Broadway and Off-Broadway line-up for the 2023-2024 season. Check out all the details on who, what, when, and where!

Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez Join Daniel Radcliffe in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at New York Theatre Workshop

Jonathan Groff will star as “Franklin” and Lindsay Mendez will star as “Mary” in Merrily We Roll Along at New York Theatre Workshop. Merrily We Roll Along features music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by George Furth. They join the previously announced Daniel Radcliffe, who will star as “Charley”.

Bob Gunton, John Rubinstein, & Carolyn McCormick to Star in THE SOAP MYTH in The Hamptons This Summer

Bob Gunton, a two-time Tony nominee, Drama Desk and Obie winner (Sweeney Todd, Evita, How I Got That Story) will return to the New York area stage after a thirty-year hiatus to star in the acclaimed drama The Soap Myth by Drama Desk winner Jeff Cohen Aug 10-28 at Southampton Cultural Center.

Rob Ashford to Direct New Production of SHERLOCK HOLMES

Producer Antonio Marion has announced that Tony and Olivier Award-winning director, Rob Ashford, is set to direct a brand-new production of Sherlock Holmes, a stage epic by British writing team Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, with Akram Khan joining as choreographer.

Pete Tong MBE to be Honored With Music Industry Trusts Award 2021

There are few individuals in the world of dance music who can claim the kind of influence Pete Tong MBE has had over the last three decades, publicly and behind the scenes: revered as an arena-selling artist, DJ, music producer, A&R, and the voice of Radio 1’s prestigious dance programming.

Guest Blog: Opera Star Kim Begley Talks Joining Forces On 'King Lear'

The celebrated tenor Kim Begley made his Royal Opera House debut in 1983 and has since then established himself at the forefront of the repertoire, with credits ranging from Britten to Busoni, Wagner to Brett Dean's opera of Hamlet. In keeping wih Shakespeare, if not this time round with singing, Begley has joined a starry lineup of British opera world names to perform King Lear later this month at the Grange Festival for three performances - and we're talking the play in its full, unadultered majesty and not the opera, with Sit John Tomlinson as Lear, Thomas Allen as Gloucester, and Begley as the Fool, and many other notable names besides. As it happens, Begley cut his teeth as a performer some years back with the Royal Shakespeare Company and explains this return to his classical roots below. 

Original Theatre Company Will Share Filmed Performances Online

In light of the closure of theatres across the UK due to COVID-19, the Original Theatre Company's productions of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART and Ali Milles's THE CROFT, both of which were touring the UK, will now each have an online launch performance.

THE HABIT OF ART Performance To Be Filmed For Download

In light of the most recent government advice due to COVID-19, The Original Theatre Company's production of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART, which was due to open at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on Wednesday 18 March 2020, will now perform a closed filmed performance on Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 2pm.

Broadway Rewind: Daniel Radcliffe Makes His Broadway Debut in EQUUS!

Daniel Radcliffe made his Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of Equus, costarring another Harry Potter veteran, Richard Griffiths. The revival, directed by Thea Sharrock, transferred from the West End, and attracted much attention for its nude scene, which was performed by a then 17 year-old Radcliffe. 

Kit Ingui Named Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre

Kit Ingui, Long Wharf Theatre's current Acting Managing Director, will assume the role of Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre effective immediately. Ingui, with 20 years of experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway production, has become a highly-regarded and key member of the leadership team since joining Long Wharf Theatre in 2017 and served as Acting Managing Director from July to September 2019.

THE HABIT OF ART Will Embark on a New 2020 UK Tour

Following a highly acclaimed tour in 2018, The Original Theatre Company and The Anthology Group in association with Peter Stickney and York Theatre Royal's production of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART will return and tour the UK in 2020. Directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). The tour begins on 18 March 2020 at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.

Managing Director Joshua Borenstein To Depart Long Wharf Theatre; Kit Ingui Named Acting Managing Director

Joshua Borenstein, who has served at Long Wharf Theatre for 13 years, including as its Managing Director since 2011, will leave the organization at the end of July.

2019 Salisbury Festival Marks Global Anniversaries

Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative, and Guest Festival Director Jonathan Dove today announce the programme for the 2019 Salisbury International Arts Festival (24 May to 9 June) which will mark two global anniversaries - the 1969 moon landings and the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall - with an ambitious mix of music, spoken word, film, dance, circus, theatre, comedy and family events.

Theater Resources Unlimited Announces The Winners Of The 2019 TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announced the winners of the 2019 TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series: Miracolo by Jarlath Barsanti-Jacobs and Emilio Solla; and Seeing Red by Joey Mazzarino and Aron Accurso.The two musicals will be performed on Monday evening January 14th and Monday evening February 4th respectively. Both performances will be at 7pm at the Actors Temple, 339 West 47th Street, New York, NY. Readings are free but reservations are required - please email name and number of tickets requested to TRUVoicesSeries@gmail.com, or use the bright red ticketing box at the show websites below.

True or False? Meet the Cast of THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT- Now in Previews!

The Lifespan of a Fact begins performances tonight, September 20, 2018. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Full Cast Announced For Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART

The Original Theatre Company, York Theatre Royal, and Ghost Light Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for the first ever revival of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). 

Richard Griffiths FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Richard Griffiths has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

Richard Griffiths has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Richard Griffiths's first West End show was The Sunshine Boys which opened in 2012

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The History Boys , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Heroes , Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The History Boys , Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The History Boys , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The History Boys , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for The History Boys Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The History Boys and Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Once In A Lifetime .

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The History Boys, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The History Boys , Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The History Boys, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The History Boys Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for The History Boysand Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The History Boys.

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