Richard Griffiths Dies: 'Harry Potter' Actor Dead at Age of 65, Played Uncle Vernon Alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Portrayed Monty in 'Withnail and I'

Richard Griffiths, best known for his role in the "Harry Potter" movies as Uncle Vernon died at the age of 65. The British actor was said to have passed from complications following heart surgery. The actor was also well known for his work as Monty in the 1987 film "Withnail and I." Actor and fellow "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe said on Friday about Griffiths, "any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence."

Griffiths was one of England's most beloved character actors appearing in dozens of TV shows and movies. Griffiths also won a Tony Award for his role in "The History Boys." To younger American fans, Griffiths is probably known for playing Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon Dursley in the blockbuster "Harry Potter" movies. Daniel Radcliffe said of Griffiths, "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career." Griffiths also starred with Radcliffe in the London and Broadway production of "Equus."

Sir Nicholas Hytner, the director of the National Theatre said in a statement, via ITV.com:

His currency as an actor was truth; as a colleague it was hilarity.

His anecdotes were legendary. They were, literally, endless. They would go on for hours, apparently without destination, constantly side-splitting.

The only way to stop them was to tell him you were walking away, though there were always others in the audience so, as far as I know, he never stopped.

Griffiths last major stage performance was in Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" in which he starred alongside Danny Devito. According to ITV.com, Griffiths was also known for disliking when audience members' cell phones would go off during a show. On at least a couple occasions he reportedly ordered members of the audience out of the show after their phones kept ringing.