Born: July 31, 1947 in Thornaby-on-Tees, Cleveland, England, UK

Richard Griffiths is a renowned British actor who has completed over two decades of stage and screen work throughout the UK. Griffiths withdrew from school at the age of fifteen, returning years later to take a drama class that would literally change his life. After leaving college, Richard Griffiths worked his way through Britain's theatres and television studios, eventually joining the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company. He has since appeared in Oscar-winning features and acclaimed British television programs such as "Bird of Prey" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Recently Richard received the Tony Award for his performance in The History Boys, and starred in the recent motion picture adaptation of the play as well. Richard also starred with Daniel Radcliffe on the British stage in a production of Equus, which is slated to move to Broadway in late 2008. Raised in Thornaby, England, Richard is the child of two deaf parents, and currently resides in England with his wife.