R.I.P. Richard Griffiths (1947-2013)

Richard Griffiths, the actor best known for his role as the Muggle uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter film series series, has died. He was 65.

Griffiths' agent, Simon Beresford, said today that Griffiths died of complications following heart surgery at University Hospital Coventry, central England. Beresford calls Griffiths "a remarkable man and one of our greatest and best-loved actors."

"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe tells the AP: "I was proud to say I knew him. Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career. In August 2000, before official production had even begun on Potter, we filmed a shot outside the Dursleys', which was my first ever shot as Harry" Radcliffe continues. "I was nervous and he made me feel at ease. Seven years later, we embarked on Equus together. It was my first time doing a play but, terrified as I was, his encouragement, tutelage and humor made it a joy. In fact, any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence."

Griffiths' also won acclaim in his role as the schoolmaster in the play and film version of Alan Bennett's The History Boys His other films include "Withnail and I," "Gorky Park," "Sleepy Hollow," "Stage Beauty," "Venus," and "Hugo".