Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths was that rare actor who could break your heart or steal the scene with a raised eyebrow. From “Withnail & I’s” Uncle Monty to “Harry Potter’s” Vernon Dursley, he specialized in characters who were simultaneously ridiculous and deeply human.

Griffiths’ secret was his emotional transparency. Even at his broadest (see “Pie in the Sky’s” singing detective), you always saw the person beneath the quirks. His stage work, particularly in Alan Bennett’s plays, showcased his peerless timing and pathos.

His untimely death in 2013 robbed us of a true original. Like Uncle Monty’s finest claret, Griffiths’ performances only improved with age – complex, intoxicating, and impossible to replicate.