Richard Briers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Briers
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Briers in 2009
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| Born |
Richard David Briers
14 January 1934 Raynes Park, Surrey, England
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| Died | 17 February 2013 (aged 79) Bedford Park, London, England
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| Resting place | Mortlake Crematorium, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1958–2013 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ann Davies
(m. 1956) |
| Children | 2, including Lucy |
Richard David Briers (born January 14, 1934 – died February 17, 2013) was a much-loved English actor. He had a long career, lasting over 50 years, in movies, on radio, on stage, and on television.
Richard Briers became well-known for playing George Starling in the TV show Marriage Lines (1961–1966). He became a household name when he narrated the popular cartoons Roobarb (1974–1976) and Noah and Nelly in... SkylArk (1976–1977). He also starred as Tom Good in the famous BBC comedy The Good Life (1975–1978). Later, he played Martin in Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989) and Hector in Monarch of the Glen (2000–2005). From the late 1980s, he also performed in many Shakespeare plays and films, often directed by Kenneth Branagh.
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Richard Briers' Early Life
Richard Briers was born on January 14, 1934, in Raynes Park, Surrey, England. His father, Joseph Briers, worked in different jobs, including as a bookmaker. His mother, Morna Briers, was a talented concert pianist and a drama teacher. She had always wanted to be in show business.
Richard went to Rokeby School and later the Ridgeway School in Wimbledon. He left school at 16 without any formal qualifications.
How Richard Briers Started Acting
Richard Briers' first job was as a clerk for a cable company in London. When he was 18, he joined the RAF for two years of national service. There, he met Brian Murphy, another actor. Brian introduced Richard to a drama group, where Richard discovered his passion for acting.
After leaving the RAF, Richard studied at the RADA from 1954 to 1956. He was in the same class as famous actors like Peter O'Toole and Albert Finney. After graduating, he worked with the Liverpool Repertory Company and then the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. His first appearance in London's West End was in 1959.
Richard Briers on Television
In 1961, Richard Briers got a main role in the TV show Marriage Lines, where he played George Starling. His wife in the show was played by Prunella Scales. He also appeared in Brothers in Law in 1962.
Other early TV appearances included The Seven Faces of Jim (1961) and Dixon of Dock Green (1962). He also read stories on Jackanory in 1969. In 1970, he starred in the comedy "Rookery Nook."
One of his most famous roles was Tom Good in The Good Life (1975–1978). Tom Good was a draughtsman who decided to quit his job and try to live a self-sufficient life with his wife Barbara, played by Felicity Kendal. Richard Briers suggested his friend Paul Eddington for the role of Jerry. The show was very popular, and the last episode was even performed for Queen Elizabeth II.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Richard Briers starred in several other TV shows. He played Martin Bryce in Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989) and Godfrey Spry in If You See God, Tell Him (1993). He also appeared in All in Good Faith (1985) and the first episode of Mr. Bean (1990). In 1987, he played a villain in the Doctor Who episode Paradise Towers.
In the 2000s, Richard Briers played Hector MacDonald, a grumpy but fun father, in the BBC show Monarch of the Glen (2000–2005). He also appeared in an episode of New Tricks in 2006.
Richard Briers' Stage Work
Richard Briers spent a lot of his career acting in plays, including those by Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. In 1967, he had a big success in the play Relatively Speaking.
After being famous for TV comedies, Richard wanted to do more stage work. His daughter Lucy took him to see Kenneth Branagh in Henry V. After the show, Branagh offered Richard the role of Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Richard joined Branagh's company and went on to play lead roles in King Lear and Uncle Vanya. He also appeared in many of Branagh's films, including Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), and Hamlet (1996).
In 2010, Richard Briers performed in the play London Assurance at the Royal National Theatre. This performance was even shown live in cinemas around the world.
Richard Briers in Films
Richard Briers first appeared in a film called Bottoms Up in 1960. He then had roles in movies like Murder She Said (1961), The Girl on the Boat (1962), and The V.I.P.s (1963).
Later, he was in A Chorus of Disapproval (1988) and Unconditional Love (2002). He also played Leonato in Kenneth Branagh's film Much Ado About Nothing (1993). In 1997, he had a small role in the movie Spice World. His last film was Cockneys vs Zombies in 2012.
Richard Briers' Voice Work
Richard Briers was also well-known for his voice acting. He narrated the children's animated TV show Roobarb (1974), where he did all the voices. He was also the original narrator and voice actor for all the characters in the Noddy TV series (1975). He voiced Fiver in the animated film Watership Down (1978).
In the 1990s, he voiced Mouse in the TV series Mouse and Mole. He also voiced Bob's Dad, Robert, in Bob the Builder (2005). Richard recorded many audiobooks, including the Percy the Park Keeper stories, where he created unique voices for all the animals.
On the radio, he played Dr. Simon Sparrow in BBC Radio 4's adaptations of Doctor in the House (1968). Between 1973 and 1981, he played Bertie Wooster in the radio series What Ho! Jeeves.
Richard Briers also narrated many commercials, including those for the Midland Bank. He was the voice of the company's Griffin symbol. He also narrated a public information film called Frances the Firefly, which taught children about fire safety.
Later Career and Achievements
After 1990, Richard Briers appeared in shows like Lovejoy, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, Doctors, and New Tricks. His role as Hector in Monarch of the Glen (2000–2005) brought him back into the spotlight.
In 2005, he appeared with Kevin Whately in Dad, a TV film. In 2006, he was in an episode of Extras. He also played Adam in Kenneth Branagh's 2006 Shakespeare film, As You Like It.
Richard Briers was appointed an OBE in 1989 and a CBE in 2003 for his contributions to acting.
Richard Briers' Personal Life
Richard Briers met his wife, Ann Davies, while they were both working at the Liverpool Rep. They got married within six months and had two daughters, Lucy and Kate. Lucy is also an actress.
Richard Briers and his friend Paul Eddington (who played Jerry in The Good Life) were very close. When Paul was ill, Richard took on extra interviews to help him. Richard Briers also became the President of Parkinson's UK because his relative, actor Terry-Thomas, suffered from Parkinson's disease. He also supported charities for deafblind children and children born with a rare swallowing condition.
Richard Briers enjoyed visiting historic churches in Britain and wrote a book about them called English Country Churches.
Richard Briers' Death and Tributes
Richard Briers stopped smoking in 2001. In 2007, he was diagnosed with emphysema, a lung condition. He passed away at his home on February 17, 2013, due to this condition.
Many people paid tribute to Richard Briers. The BBC called him "one of Britain's best-loved actors." Sir Kenneth Branagh said, "He was a national treasure, a great actor and a wonderful man." His co-star Penelope Keith said, "He was always courteous, always generous and always self-deprecating." She added that he was "such a clever actor that he made you feel secure."
On March 30, 2013, BBC Two broadcast a special program about Richard Briers' life and career, with tributes from his friends and colleagues.
Images for kids
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Briers in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Richard Briers para niños
