Richard Griffiths, star of films including Withnail and I and the Harry Potter series, dies at the age of 65 from complications following heart surgery.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter alongside him, led tributes to the actor whose “encouragement, tutelage and humour” made work “a joy”.
In fact, any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence – Daniel Radcliffe
Radcliffe, who also performed with Griffiths in the stage play Equus, said: “Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career.
Here’s the plan. Going to fire up a Camberwell firm young carrot in memory of my ‘Uncle Monty’ and raise a figurative glass of sherry to him
— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) March 29, 2013
“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.
Richard Griffiths wasn’t only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors – he was also one of the very greatest – Sir Nicholas Hytner
“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.”
Comedian Jack Whitehall, Griffiths’ godson, said the “amazing, funny and kind man” would be missed.
Sad news about Richard Griffiths. He was my god father and friend. An amazing, funny and kind man he will be much missed. RIP Riccardo
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) March 29, 2013
Griffiths died yesterday at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire.
Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, said Griffiths’s unexpected death would devastate his “army of friends”.
He said: “Richard Griffiths wasn’t only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors – he was also one of the very greatest.
“His performance in The History Boys was quite overwhelming: a masterpiece of wit, delicacy, mischief and desolation, often simultaneously.
Richard brightened my days and enriched the life of anyone he came into contact with – Simon Beresford
“But that was just one small part of a career that spanned Shakespeare, cutting-edge new plays and major work in film and television.”
Sir Nicholas, who directed Griffiths in The History Boys and The Habit Of Art, added: “His currency as an actor was truth; as a colleague it was hilarity.
“His anecdotes were legendary. They were, literally, endless. They would go on for hours, apparently without destination, constantly side-splitting.
“The only way to stop them was to tell him you were walking away, though there were always others in the audience so, as far as I know, he never stopped. He was the life of every party.”
Away from the Harry Potter films, Griffiths was most famous for his role as Uncle Monty in cult favourite Withnail And I.
RIP Richard Griffiths. I was lucky enough to see his brilliance in The History Boys + The Habit of Art – but very sad I won’t get to again.
— Matthew Cain (@MatthewCainC4) March 29, 2013
The married actor, who was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, and grew up caring for his deaf parents, was awarded an OBE for services to drama in 2007.
His agent Simon Beresford said: “Richard brightened my days and enriched the life of anyone he came into contact with.
“On stage he allowed us to share in our own humanity and constantly question our differences.
“Richard gave acting a good name. He was a remarkable man and one of our greatest and best-loved actors. He will be greatly missed.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his devoted wife Heather and his family at this sad time.”
Will amend rules of “Withnail and I” drinking game to raise an extra glass to Richard Griffiths #RIP
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) March 29, 2013