Richard Griffiths dies at 65

Richard Griffiths, the versatile British actor who played the boy wizard's unsympathetic Uncle Vernon in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. He was 65.(Getty Images)

"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. I was nervous and he made me feel at ease.Richard Griffiths talks with Kathie Lee Gifford during the 60th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall June 11, 2006.(Getty Images)

A large man and a huge stage presence, Griffiths was one of Britain's leading theater actors, creating roles including the charismatic teacher Hector at the emotional heart of Alan Bennett's "The History Boys" - a part he took to Broadway, winning a Tony Award, and repeated for the film adaptation.(Getty Images)

Radcliffe said, "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career."(Getty Images)

Griffiths's last major stage role was in a West End production of Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" last year opposite Danny DeVito. In 2007 he appeared in a London production of "Equus" alongside the then 17-year-old Radcliffe.(Getty Images)

Agent Simon Beresford announced Friday that Griffiths died a day earlier of complications following heart surgery at University Hospital in Coventry, central England.In this pic; Richard Griffiths and guest arrive at the Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) at the Royal Opera House on February 11, 2007.(Getty Images)

"I was proud to say I knew him," said "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe.(Getty Images)

Known for his sense of humor, large store of theatrical anecdotes and occasional bursts of temper, Griffiths was renowned for shaming audience members whose cell phones rang during plays by stopping the performance and ordering the offender to leave.(Getty Images)

Griffiths appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, but will be most widely remembered as a pair of contrasting uncles - the hero's grudging Muggle guardian in the "Harry Potter" series, and flamboyant Uncle Monty in 1980s cult classic 'Withnail and I.'(Getty Images)

He paid tribute to Griffiths as "a remarkable man and one of our greatest and best-loved actors."(Getty Images)