The Harry Potter movies taught me many things, but probably my most important lesson came in the first one, very early in the movie. Harry is anxiously awaiting his letter from Hogwarts after it keeps being snatched away from him, and his Uncle Vernon then turns to him and proclaims “no post on Sundays.” The actor who delivered that line with such delight, Richard Griffiths, is dead. Following complications with heart surgery, the actor tragically died on March 28 at University Hospital Coventry.

Born in England, Griffiths was born to parents who were both deaf, so learning to sign for him was a must. After many attempts to run away from home and a series of jobs, Griffiths decided to study drama at Stockton and Billingham College. He then got a job for BBC Radio and then began work in theatre, sometimes acting and sometimes producing. He built up the reputation of being a Shakespearean Clown. After working in television for a little while, Griffiths got his big break starring in a film titled It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet. From then on he has built up an impressive career as an actor.

He received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, all for his role in the play The History Boys.

He is best known for his work as Uncle Vernon his the “Harry Potter” franchise, Collins in Gandhi, Jeltz in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Mousier Frick in Hugo, and King George in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He was even offered the role as the Doctor in Doctor Who in 1981 after Tom Baker left, but couldn’t due to a busy schedule.

It’s always sad to see people go, especially those who have affected us. Though we don’t know actors on a personal level, we like to think we do because of the performances they gave and how they touched us. It’s sad to see Richard Griffiths go, and he will be missed.