RICHARD GRIFFITHS, the award-winning actor, who is famed for his roles in the Harry Potter films and Withnail and I, has died aged 65 following heart surgery complications.
It is believed that his portly figure was due to medication he received when he was a youngster.
His finest hour was his performance as the charismatic teacher Hector in Alan Bennett's The History Boys, a role he recreated in the 2006 film version.
A flood of tributes came in for Griffiths, such his popularity within film circles.
His Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe said: "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career. I was proud to know him."
Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, said Griffiths was one of the 'greatest British actors'.
He said: "Richard Griffiths wasn't only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors - he was also one of the very greatest.
"His performance in The History Boys was quite overwhelming: a masterpiece of wit, delicacy, mischief and desolation, often simultaneously."
Griffiths grew up in Thornaby-on-Tees and he learned sign language at an early ages to communicate with his parents who were both deaf.
Richard Griffiths in the production of The History Boys
Richard Griffiths after winning a Tony for his performance in "The History Boys"He starred alongside Danny DeVito in The Sunshine Boys in the West End.
Thea Sharrock, who directed Sunshine Boys said: "Everybody knew he was my favourite. He was the most tender, gentle, kind, generous, loving man.
"His curiosity was unending, as was his striving for perfection. I cannot imagine a world without all those stories. I will miss him so very very much."
"The producers of Heroes and Equus, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, described the actor as a "great man, a great character, a great talent greatly missed".
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