Richard Griffiths, a character actor best known for playing Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films, died suddenly this week following heart surgery. Griffiths’ agent, Simon Beresford, confirms the 65-year-old actor passed away Thursday at University Hospital in Coventry, England from complications relating to the surgery. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, actress Heather Gibson.
Griffiths got his start on stage and eventually joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. He got his first big film role in 1975’s It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet. His film credits include The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Gandhi, Withnail and I and Sleepy Hollow. In recent years Griffiths appeared in Bedtime Stories alongside Adam Sandler and in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides alongside Johnny Depp.
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to Griffiths in a statement released Friday. "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,” said Radcliffe.
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