Richard Griffiths,
one of Britain's most celebrated character actors, has died from complications
following heart surgery.
The
stage and screen star, who played Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter
films, was 65.
Daniel
Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter alongside him, led tributes to the actor
whose "encouragement, tutelage and humour" made work "a
joy".
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.
"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 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
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".
Away
from the Harry Potter films, Griffiths was most famous for his role as Uncle
Monty in cult favourite Withnail And I. 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 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."
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