Richard Griffiths, the British actor best known for portraying Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films, has been remembered by fans on the anniversary of his death. Griffiths died on 28 March 2013 after complications from heart surgery, and renewed tributes have been shared marking the date.

Career highlights

Griffiths enjoyed a long and varied career on stage and screen. He appeared in five Harry Potter films as the stern Vernon Dursley and was widely celebrated for roles such as Uncle Monty in Withnail And I and the lead of the television comedy-crime series Pie In The Sky, in which he played an unwilling detective who ran a restaurant while navigating local police politics.

His film credits included Chariots Of Fire, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, GoldenEye, Gandhi and The Naked Gun 22, while his early television work featured appearances in Minder, The Sweeney and Bergerac. On stage, Griffiths won a Laurence Olivier Award for his portrayal of Hector in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, a performance that also earned him a Tony Award when the production moved to Broadway.

Tributes and legacy

Fans took to social media to mark the anniversary. On Facebook, admirers wrote: “What an amazing actor and really made such an impression,” and “Withnail and I was his crowning glory as Uncle Monty,” while another simply wrote: “Brilliant actor.”

Among the high-profile tributes, Daniel Radcliffe, Griffiths’ Harry Potter co-star, led public praise for the actor, highlighting his kindness and mentorship. Radcliffe said Griffiths”encouragement, tutelage and humour” made their collaboration “a joy,” and recalled: “Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career.” Radcliffe was reported to have attended Griffiths’ funeral.

Personal life and estate

Griffiths left the majority of his 611.5 million estate to his wife Heather, his partner of 33 years; the couple had no children. Probate records noted bequests to other close relatives and friends, including his godson, comedian Jack Whitehall.

Raised as the son of deaf parents, Griffiths learned sign language early and became noted for his skill with dialects. He also gained a reputation for confronting audience members whose phones rang during performances, once pausing a 2005 performance of The History Boys to ask a disruptive patron to leave.

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