Griffith died from complications following heart surgery Actor Richard Griffiths has died aged 65. British actor, best known for his roles in Harry Potter and the cult classic, Withnail and I, died from complications following heart surgery .Griffiths was much loved by the public, playing roles in theatre, film and TV. He was appointed OBE in the 2008 New Years Honours.
Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, who also performed with Griffiths in the acclaimed stage play Equus led tribute to the veteran, “Richard was by my side during the two most important times of my career, I was proud to know him. Any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence.”
In 2005, Griffiths was the recipient of the Olivier award for acting excellence for his performance in stage show, The History Boys.
Sir Nicholas Hytner said Griffith’s unexpected death would devastate his “army of friends.” The director of the National Theatre said that “Richard Griffiths wasn\'t only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors - he was also one of the very greatest.”
Griffiths died on Thursday at the University Hospital Coventry.