Film, TV and stage actor Richard Griffiths has died aged 65 it was announced yesterday.
Best-known for his roles in Withnail and I, Harry Potter and his extensive stage work including The History Boys, Griffiths died from complications following heart surgery.
Over his career Griffiths became an audience favourite with his role in BBC detective show Pie in the Sky. For his stage work he picked up a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for his performance as teacher Hector in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys.
More recently Griffiths starred opposite Danny Devito in Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys at London’s Savoy Theatre. The show was expected to transfer to New York later this year.
Since the news broke celebrities who knew Griffiths have expressed their condolences via Twitter. Griffiths is survived by his wife Heather Gibson.