Richard Briers

Richard Briers

Richard Briers Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 18, 2013.
LONDON (AP) - British actor Richard Briers, an avuncular comic presence on TV and movie screens for decades, has died at the age of 79.

Briers' agent, Christopher Farrar, said the actor died at his London home on Sunday. A former heavy smoker, he had suffered from emphysema.

Briers starred in the 1970s sitcom "The Good Life" as Tom Good, a man who decides to quit the urban rat race for a life of self-sufficiency in suburbia.

The show, which contrasted the back-to-the land Goods with their conventional neighbors the Leadbetters, made stars of its core cast - Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington - and is regularly voted one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time. It aired in the U.S. as "Good Neighbors."

Briars also starred in the comedy-drama "Ever-Decreasing Circles," the Scottish Highlands drama "Monarch of the Glen" and a host of other shows.

In later life he became well-known for Shakespearean roles. He joined director Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company in 1987 after deciding, he said, that "I had gone as far as I could doing sitcoms."

For Branagh he took on roles including King Lear, Malvolio in "Twelfth Night" and the buffoon Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

He also appeared in several Branagh-directed films, including "Henry V," ''A Midsummer Night's Dream," ''Peter's Friends" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein."

Other movie roles included the voice of rabbit Fiver in the much-loved animated animal feature "Watership Down."

On stage, Briers was associated with the work of British comic playwright Alan Ayckbourn, playing leading roles in "Relatively Speaking," ''Absurd Person Singular" and "Absent Friends."

Born Jan. 14, 1934, Briers trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked consistently in theater, film and television for more than half a century.

His latest film credit is in the recently relea sed "Cockneys Vs. Zombies."

He said he had no desire to retire, but complained in one of his final interviews that the chronic lung disease emphysema was slowing him down.

"It's totally my fault. So, I get very breathless, which is a pain in the backside," he told the Daily Mail newspaper last month. "Trying to get upstairs... oh God, it's ridiculous. Of course, when you're bloody nearly 80 it's depressing, because you've had it anyway."

In 1989, Briers was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts.

Briers married the actress Anne Davies in 1956. They had two daughters.

JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Richard Briers's Guest Book

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September 4, 2023

Linda Shaver posted to the memorial.

August 30, 2014

Adrian Hurtado posted to the memorial.

August 21, 2014

Paul Pettie posted to the memorial.

45 Entries

Linda Shaver

September 4, 2023

The series Monarch of the Glen has captivated me. Hector was such a important part of the show, I don't really see how it can continue without him. I hope that you are holding hands with Jesus for eternity. R.I.P.

Adrian Hurtado

August 30, 2014

As an American, I very much enjoyed his role as Hector MacDonald in Monarch of the Glen. He made the show.

Paul Pettie

August 21, 2014

Hector MacDonald... great actor, fine man... Loved his work.

December 21, 2013

Always adored his appearance in any film and/or television show. Recently rewatched all of my New Tricks episodes and cheerfully there he appeared.

Nazarene Mckinney

March 30, 2013

May your family find peace and comfort during this time of loss.

March 20, 2013

I also loved the show Monarch of the Glen. My condolences to the family. Prayers are with you and comfort from God's word. Jer. 29:11, 12

Jenny Elder

March 13, 2013

Wonderful actor lovely down to earth man.god bless you.
To me he will always be hector McDonald.

Jill Gilson

March 1, 2013

I loved all of his work, he shall be greatly missed.A great talent.R.I.P.

Wendy Hoare

March 1, 2013

Will be greatly missed sleep peacefully you made so many people laugh God keep you

christy markiewicz

February 26, 2013

My family have loved you for many years in so many different roles, none more than the delightful Tom Good. You reminded us all so much of my father Arthur Mortimer who died two years ago with your kindness, courtesy and bubbling good sense of humour. Though we never met you we will miss you. With love and gratitute and sincerest sympathy to your lovely wife and family. Go well!

February 24, 2013

Fond memories, and sadly missed.
An English acting legend.

Sheldon (Home counties)

Tracey Martin

February 24, 2013

You shall be greatly missed..RIPxxx

G CARTER

February 23, 2013

I got to know this great actor thru Monarch of the Glen series. RIP

Edward Garabedian

February 23, 2013

May you rest in peace - and, our sincere thank you and appreciation for having contributed so much to both theatre and stage. I am a particularly great fan of Monarch in the Glen and we continue to enjoy all who participated with you - particularly, Julian Fellowes and Alistair Mackenzie.

Our deepest respects to your family and close friends.

Edward - an ole yank from the colonies!!!!

dawn fletcher

February 20, 2013

how very sad not to have this lovely man on our planet anymore RIP i feel i have lost a friend.

B Lucas

February 20, 2013

My sincere condolence for the loss of Richard your dear loved one. May your fond memories of him bring good thoughts. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit that you show. [email protected]

Cynthia

February 20, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

February 19, 2013

Thank you for your life and your sharing..you gave me 'belly laughs'aged 14yrs-18yrs (I am 50!...gulp.) and you are/were a true gentleman,I only wish to espire to your gentlemanly conduct- My children watch your history-"I Believe you are acting out your values and loves?"....you are missed but will remain in withinlives and those who treasure values!...P.S. you would have made the 'BEST' James Bond!

michelle plakas-kaiser

February 19, 2013

rip

Nina Kaye

February 19, 2013

Remember him fondly and with thanks for The Good Neighbors, but also for his Broadway turn in Ionesco's The Chairs with Geraldine McEwan.

February 19, 2013

Thank you for all the enjoyment that you brought to our family. The Good Life was where we first enjoyed your talent. You were sorely missed at the end of Monarch of the Glen. Another great talent lost to the world. RIP Mr. Briers.

Merced, California

S.Griggs

February 19, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Edith Craner

February 19, 2013

A brilliant light has gone out. You brought us such joy

A. Melissa Eckert

February 19, 2013

Thank you for your gift of comedy. You will be remembered with a smile. I will miss your talent.

Jeanette

February 19, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Richard Briers. Please find peace and comfort in Psalm 65:2.

February 19, 2013

May scriptures from the Bible bring comfort and peace to this famly.(2Co.1:2-4)Barb Meill(NO)

Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins

February 19, 2013

To the Briers Family and Friends we offer our sincere condolences and heart felt sympathy. May the Lord tenderly care for each of you and give you peace at this time. What a
terrific actor, a great loss to his craft. but we are grateful to have his ability and smile for posterity on film.

EG

February 18, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

February 18, 2013

Thank you so much for all the love and laughter you gave us in The Good Life you were the neighbor we all wish we had in real life ! God Bless you may you Rest IN PEACE! Elisabeth Chandler, Alamo, Georgia, USA

dave King

February 18, 2013

God no, we have not many true legends of british comedy left. we will miss all you did for british tv richard,

Patty

February 18, 2013

My mum and I watched Monarch of The Glen faithfully. What a loss to the acting world. RIP Sir.

Jason Leach

February 18, 2013

Join a drama group in the afterlife dude. Bon voyage.

Jason Leach

February 18, 2013

A national treasure. A fine and versatile actor. A great loss. Today, when I heard the news, it made me sad.

February 18, 2013

how sad a great loss to the acting world.he was a great actor never missed any of his shows.our thoughts with his family JM,dunedin florida

Greg Tuttle

February 18, 2013

My favorite english actor..we loved him in everything he did.

D. Karsten

February 18, 2013

So very sorry to hear about this. To this day Good Neighbors is one of my favorite shows. I have the whole series and rewatch it frequently. Also a huge fan of Monarch of the Glen. My sympathies to his family and friends.

Terri Zezza

February 18, 2013

We will miss Mr. Brier. He was a great actor. We used to watch The Good Life when it was on Channel 44 here in PA. I also saw him on the Glen. He had such a great sense of humor and made all of us laugh. I will miss him. He is now one of the Lords angels. Rest in Peace Richard! We love you!

February 18, 2013

THANK YOU for the laughter

George Church

February 18, 2013

Lovely man. Brilliant comedy actor. Ever decreasing circles was superb. You will be sorely missed Richard. God bless.

Mary Jane Thornton

February 18, 2013

What a funny wonderful man. I enjoyed watching him weekly. God bless you, rest in peace.

John F. Perrelli

February 18, 2013

HE WAS A "GOOD NEIGHBOR". ENJOYED HIS WORK.RIP

Monica Cannon

February 18, 2013

SO Sorry to hear about Richard Briers passing. I love him as a actor! I would hunt for any the shows I can watch here in the US. My prays to his family. RIP

Betty Wendell

February 18, 2013

I just watched a rerun of this show the other night. Very funny. My condolences to the family.

Joyce Anderson

February 18, 2013

Just loved him in Monarch of the Glen. He will be missed.

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Sign Richard Briers's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

September 4, 2023

Linda Shaver posted to the memorial.

August 30, 2014

Adrian Hurtado posted to the memorial.

August 21, 2014

Paul Pettie posted to the memorial.