Uncle Vernon Dursley, ‘Harry Potter’ star, Richard Griffiths dead at 65
Richard Griffiths, famous to audiences around the world as Harry Potter’s grouchy uncle, passed away on Thursday at the age 65.
Griffiths played Uncle Vernon Dursley, but had a long resume of small and big roles both in major films and television.
Daniel Radcliffe made this statement: “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,” he said.
“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 humour 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 starred in the 1987 British comedy Withanil & I, playing the flamboyantly gay Uncle Monty. His most acclaimed role was Hector, the unconventional teacher in Alan Bennett’s play The History Boys, for which he won 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 in a play, and a Tony Award for best performance by a leading actor in a play.