Excerpted from The Globe and Mail:
Richard Griffiths was one of the great British stage actors of his generation, and a heavy man with a light touch, whether in Shakespeare or Neil Simon. But for millions of movie fans, he will always be grumpy Uncle Vernon, the least magical of characters in the fantastical Harry Potter movies.
Mr. Griffiths died March 28 in Coventry, England, from complications following heart surgery, his agent, Simon Beresford, said. He was 65.
A huge stage presence with a grace rendered all the more striking by his physical bulk, Mr. Griffiths created roles including the charismatic teacher Hector at the emotional heart of Mr. Bennett’s school drama The History Boys. He won an Olivier Award for the part in London and a Tony for the Broadway run, and repeated his performance in the 2006 film adaptation.
Lola's Curmudgeonly Musings 