Richard Griffiths portrayed the blustering and intolerant Uncle Vernon with comedic perfection, making him one of the most recognizable non-magical characters in the series. His over-the-top reactions and booming voice became staples of the Dursley household.

Griffiths had a celebrated career beyond Harry Potter, with roles in Gandhi, Sleepy Hollow, and later Pirates of the Caribbean. His final film appearance was in About Time. He passed away in 2013 due to complications from heart surgery.