London, March 29 (IANS) Richard Griffiths, the award-winning actor known for his roles in “Withnail & I and Harry Potter”, has died following complications after heart surgery. He was 65.
He died Thursday at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire, reports guardian.co.uk.
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred alongside Griffiths in the Harry Potter films, said the actor made any room “twice as funny”.
Radcliffe said Griffiths had supported him at two key points in his career — when he first played the young Harry Potter and later when he made his stage debut in “Equus”.
“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 was known as Vernon Dursley in the “Harry Potter” films.
