The First Step: RIP Richard Griffiths

Today is a sad day. Not only is it a sad day because it's Good Friday (the day Jesus died on the cross) but because we have lost a great man. Mr Richard Griffiths, known to most young people as Uncle Vernon Dursley from the popular book and movie series Harry Potter. This is especially heart breaking for someone of my age because I have grown up with the Harry Potter series.

The first book was released when I was two, but I had been reading dictionaries and encyclopedias at the young age of five. My parents, annoyed at the fact I would insult my older siblings with large words that they didn't understand, decided on a whim to give me the Harry Potter series to read. I was addicted (and I proceeded to calling my siblings 'muggles'). Nervously I would wait at the front of the line of book stores, waiting for each new book as they were released. Suddenly, they were turned into blockbusters. Being the massive fan I was, I created an image of what the main characters looked like in my head as I read the books. However, when I went to see the very first movie in 2001 none of the male characters seemed to match. Harry wasn't lanky enough, Ron wasn't nearly dorky enough, Quirrel was too attractive (not in a OMG HE'S SO HOT way ... as in his skin was clear, he had a good smile and his eyes sparkled, which isn't something that you'd see from someone who was sharing his soul with the Dark Lord). Nothing seemed to be clicking in my head. The only person who really represented his character was Richard. It was as if the part was written for him specifically. Most people would look at Harry Potter and find hope. I would look at Vernon. It would reassure me that the producers were semi-competent. I mean, they did mess up some details like the fact that the Durleys moved to a hotel to avoid the Hogwarts letters, but they tried their hardest.

My obsession only got worse as the years went on. I grew into a young blooming fangirl, still madly crazed over Harry Potter. Unfortunately, the producers just seemed to go downhill. Rejecting the entire concept of Peeves, leaving big areas of Rita Skeeter's true identity out of the movies, and so many misquoted lines just infuriated me, but the one thing that remained was that they portrayed Vernon almost perfectly to the book. Sure, there were moments when I wanted to throw something or scream, but I held it in.

My point is, watching Richard play Vernon kept me sane (as sane as I could be) when everything got switched around. But just like the Harry Potter books and movies, they may have ended but the memories will continue for years to come. He is legitimately the reason why I know there are no posts on Sundays.

Most people wouldn't know, but both of his parents were deaf so he learnt sign language at a very young age. He dropped out of school, but eventually went back. He had a rough beginning, but he represents everyone who has come from a difficult parental situation. He was a Shakespearean actor (pretty deep for someone who gets excited over no posts on Sundays), starred next to famous people in movie after movie, but was always overshadowed by more successful actors like Adam Sandler, Daniel Radcliffe, Danny DeVito and Johnny Depp. He was even considered twice to be the Doctor in the famous British television series Doctor Who, but unfortunately was unavailable for such roles.

He lived a good life. Let's leave it at that. Richard Griffiths, you will always be like an uncle to me.

*raises wand in remembrance*