Richard Griffiths, famed for his roles in 'Harry Potter' and 'Withnail & I', has died of complications following heart surgery at the age of 65.
The portly award-winning actor often spoke about his weight problem, believed to be the result of some medication he received when a youngster.
He also spoke out about the effects of fame and was well-known as an actor who took a strong line against members of theatre audiences whose mobile telephones rang out during performances.
Born in Thornaby-on-Tees, Griffiths' first big break was in a film 'It Shouldn’t Happen To A Vet' (1976), followed by roles in 'Gorky Park' (1983), 'Withnail And I' (1987), 'The Smell Of Fear' (1991), 'Guarding Tess' (1994) and 'Sleepy Hollow' (1999).
He played Uncle Vernon in the 'Harry Potter' series and starred with the film's leading man Daniel Radcliffe again in a stage revival of Peter Shaffer’s Equus at the Gielgud Theatre in London.
Read some of Griffiths' best witty quotes below...
Richard Griffiths Quotes
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Richard Griffiths Dies Aged 65
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The Dursleys, Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley, left, Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley and Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley, in a scene from the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Photo by Warner Bros. (credit:Warner Brothers)
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(L-r) RICHARD GRIFFITHS as Uncle Vernon, HARRY MELLING as Dudley Dursley and FIONA SHAW as Aunt Petunia in Warner Bros. Pictures' fantasy "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." (credit:Warner Brothers)
"Equus" Press Photocall - February 22, 2007(03 of34)
Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe at the Gielgud Theatre in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Daniel Radacliffe (R) plays the part of(04 of34)
London, UNITED KINGDOM: Daniel Radacliffe (R) plays the part of Alan Strang, on stage with Richard Griffiths (C) and Jenny Agutter, in Peter Shaffer's play Equus, at the Gielgud Theatre, in central London, 22 February 2007. Equus is a play by Peter Shaffer written in 1973, telling the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological fascination with horses. AFP Photo Chris Young (Photo credit should read CHRIS YOUNG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe during the curtain callActors' Fund of America benefit performance of Equus, New York, America - 11 Jan 2009.
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Actor Richard Griffiths poses for a photograph in New York, Wednesday, June 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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Actor Richard Griffiths poses for a photograph in New York, Wednesday, June 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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'Withnail And I', Richard E. Grant (left), Richard Griffiths (centre), Paul McGann (right). 'Withnail And I' Film - 1987 (credit:Rex)
Withnail & I(09 of34)
British actor Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty, donning a pair of rubber gloves in the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relaxing At Monty's(10 of34)
British screenwriter and director Bruce Robinson (right) relaxes with actor Richard Griffiths on the set of the movie 'Withnail & I' in London, 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sherry At Monty's(11 of34)
British actors Richard E. Grant and Richard Griffiths film a scene for the movie 'Withnail & I' in London, 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Withnail & I(12 of34)
From left to right, British actors Richard E. Grant, Richard Griffiths and Paul McGann film a scene in Cumbria for the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. British screenwriter and director Bruce Robinson stands between them. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Monty Arrives(13 of34)
British actors Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths film a scene in Cumbria for the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Withnail & I(14 of34)
British actor Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty in the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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British actor Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty in the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images)
Withnail & I(16 of34)
British actor Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty in the movie 'Withnail & I', 1986. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Richard Griffiths receives his OBE, for services to Drama, from Queen Elizabeth II during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London. 25 Jun 2008. (credit:PA)
60th Annual Tony Awards - Show(18 of34)
Richard Griffiths, winner of Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for The History Boys (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Tony Awards Productions) (credit:Getty Images)
60th Annual Tony Awards At Radio City Music Hall - Press Room(19 of34)
NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Winner of the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play award Richard Griffiths poses with his award backstage at the 60th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall June 11, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fox Searchlight Pictures Presents A Screening Of "The History Boys"(20 of34)
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 7: Actors Samuel Barnett, Frances de la Tour, Richard Griffiths, and Dominic Cooper arrive at Fox Searchlight Picture's screening of The History Boys at the Dolby Screening Room November 7, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BFI London Film Festival: ' Venus' Cast At The National Gallery(21 of34)
LONDON - OCTOBER 19: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) (L-R) Richard Griffiths and Leslie Phillips arrive at the pre-screening drinks reception for 'Venus' at The National Gallery on October 19, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arrivals At The Orange British Academy Film Awards(22 of34)
LONDON - FEBRUARY 11: Richard Griffiths and guest arrive at the Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) at the Royal Opera House on February 11, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Harry Potter DVD & video launch party / Griffiths(23 of34)
Actor Richard Griffiths at King's Cross St Pancras, central London, for the Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone - DVD & video launch party (credit:PA)
Broadway Opening Of History Boys After Party(24 of34)
NEW YORK - APRIL 23: (US TABS & HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Actor Richard Griffiths and actress Frances de la Tour attend the Broadway Opening Of 'History Boys' After Party at Tavern On The Green on April 23, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
60th Annual Tony Awards At Radio City Music Hall - Sprint Lounge(25 of34)
NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Winner of the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, Richard Griffiths talks with Kathie Lee Gifford backstage at the Sprint Lounge during the 60th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall June 11, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Charles and Camilla attend The History Boys premiere - London(26 of34)
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales meets writer Alan Bennett and actors Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour at the premiere of The History Boys in Leicester Square, London on October 2, 2006.Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:PA)
AFI FEST 2006 Presented By Audi Screening Of "The History Boys" - Arrivals(27 of34)
HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 04: Actors Samuel Anderson, Richard Griffiths and Dominic Cooper arrive at the North American premiere of 'The History Boys' during AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi held at the LOFT at Arclight Hollywood on November 4, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Steve McClaren receives honorary degree(28 of34)
England football manager Steve McClaren (left) and actor Richard Griffiths stand on a balcony at the University of Teeside after they both received honorary degrees from the university. (credit:PA)
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England football manager Steve McClaren (left) and actor Richard Griffiths stand on a balcony at the University of Teeside after they both received honorary degrees from the university. (credit:PA)
The Royal Film Performance Of Martin Scorsese's Hugo in 3D(30 of34)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Richard Griffiths attends the royal film performance of Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo in 3D' at the Odeon Leicester Square on November 28, 2011 in London, England.(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Actors Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths perform in "The Sunshine Boys" at the Savoy Theatre on May 17, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
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From left, actors James Corden, Clive Merrison, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Richard Griffiths take the curtain call at the opening night of the play The History Boys, Sunday, April 23, 2006 in New York. The History Boys features the original London cast, and is the winner of the Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Circle Awards for Best Play. (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)
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'Pie in the Sky' Richard Griffiths.
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Richard Griffiths and Johnny Depp at 'Sleepy Hollow' film premiere in 2000. (credit:Rex)