The larger world may have discovered Richard Griffiths through the Harry Potter movies, but the theater world has long claimed him as one of its best.

Griffiths' most famous role on stage was that of Hector, the unorthodox history teacher in Alan Bennett's The History Boys. After a successful run in London (he won an Olivier Award for his performance), the play came to Broadway in 2006 and won six Tony awards, including best play and best actor for Griffiths.

Source: Los Angeles Times.