What caused Richard Briers’ death?
Richard Briers, the beloved British actor best known for his role in The Good Life, died on 17 February 2013 at the age of 79. The cause of death was emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which he publicly attributed to his 50-year smoking habit.
His daughter Lucy Briers confirmed the lung condition in an interview with Cancer Research UK, stating that her father’s life was cut short by tobacco. The news was widely reported by the BBC and other major outlets.
Richard Briers at a Glance
- Full Name: Richard David Briers
- Born: 14 January 1934, Raynes Park, Surrey, England
- Died: 17 February 2013, London, England (aged 79)
- Known For: Role as Tom Good in The Good Life, voice of Fiver in Watership Down
Key Insights
- Richard Briers enjoyed a five-decade career across film, radio, stage, and television.
- His death was caused by emphysema, a lung condition directly linked to long-term smoking.
- He is best remembered for the sitcom The Good Life, which aired from 1975 to 1978.
- His wife was actress Ann Davies, to whom he was married for over 50 years.
- He never appeared as Mr. Bean – that character was created and played by Rowan Atkinson.
- His co-star Paul Eddington played Jerry Leadbetter in The Good Life.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 January 1934, Raynes Park, Surrey |
| Died | 17 February 2013, London |
| Age at death | 79 |
| Cause of death | Emphysema (COPD) |
| Spouse | Ann Davies (married 1960s) |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Notable work | The Good Life (1975–1978), voice of Fiver in Watership Down |
| Co-star | Paul Eddington (The Good Life) |
Who was Richard Briers’ wife?
Richard Briers was married to actress Ann Davies. The couple wed in the early 1960s and remained together until his death in 2013. Davies was best known for her role in the British television series Doctor in the House.
When was Richard Briers born?
Richard David Briers was born on 14 January 1934 in Raynes Park, a suburb of London in the county of Surrey.
How old was Richard Briers when he died?
He died on 17 February 2013, exactly one month after his 79th birthday.
What was Richard Briers’ net worth?
There is no reliable public data on Richard Briers’ net worth. British actors of his generation typically did not disclose such figures, and no credible source has ever published an estimate. The figure mentioned in some online sources is speculative and unverified.
Unlike many modern celebrities, Richard Briers kept his financial affairs private. No official net worth has been reported in any obituary or biography.
What is Richard Briers best known for?
Richard Briers is best known for his role as Tom Good in the BBC sitcom The Good Life, which aired from 1975 to 1978. The show followed a suburban couple attempting self-sufficiency and became a classic of British television.
Did Richard Briers appear in Mr. Bean?
No. Despite occasional online confusion, Richard Briers never played the character Mr. Bean. The role was created and performed by Rowan Atkinson. Briers has no known association with the Mr. Bean franchise, although one unverified claim suggests he may have made a brief uncredited cameo – no reliable source confirms this.
Who was Paul Eddington and how was he connected to Richard Briers?
Paul Eddington was a fellow British actor who played Jerry Leadbetter, the neighbour of Tom and Barbara Good in The Good Life. The two actors shared excellent on-screen chemistry, and their characters provided much of the show’s comedy. Eddington died in 1995.
Some online sources incorrectly claim Briers appeared in Mr. Bean or that he suffered from pulmonary fibrosis. Verified reports confirm his lung condition was emphysema, not fibrosis, and his only Mr. Bean connection is a possible uncredited extra role that cannot be verified.
Richard Briers’ Life and Career Timeline
- 1934 – Born in Raynes Park, Surrey.
- 1961–1966 – Starred as George Starling in Marriage Lines.
- 1970s – Narrated the children’s cartoon Roobarb.
- 1975–1978 – Played Tom Good in The Good Life.
- 1978 – Voiced Fiver in the animated film Watership Down.
- 1984–1989 – Starred as Martin Bryce in Ever Decreasing Circles.
- 1990s – Appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s films Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hamlet.
- 2000–2002 – Played Archie MacDonald in Monarch of the Glen.
- 2012 – Final film appearance in Cockneys vs. Zombies.
- 17 February 2013 – Died from emphysema at age 79.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Richard Briers?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| He died on 17 February 2013 at age 79 from emphysema. | Exact net worth is not officially reported; estimates are speculative. |
| He was married to Ann Davies from the 1960s until his death. | Specific details of his final days are private. |
| He smoked for 50 years and blamed his lung condition on tobacco. | Some earlier obituaries vaguely called it a “lung condition” without naming emphysema. |
What was Richard Briers’ impact on British comedy?
Richard Briers rose to fame during the golden age of British sitcoms. His role in The Good Life made him a household name and cemented his place in television history. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Briers successfully transitioned to film and voice work later in life, collaborating with directors such as Kenneth Branagh.
His death marked the end of an era for classic British comedy. Although primarily a TV actor, his work with Branagh introduced him to a new generation of filmgoers. The lasting audience interest in his partnership with Paul Eddington reflects the enduring appeal of The Good Life.
What do colleagues and critics say about Richard Briers?
Richard Briers, who has died aged 79 after suffering from a lung condition, said he was the first Prince of Denmark to give the audience half…
– The Guardian obituary, 18 February 2013
He was the quintessential situation comedy husband with three…
– Screenonline (BFI) biography
What is Richard Briers’ lasting legacy?
Richard Briers leaves behind a rich body of work spanning five decades. His most iconic role as Tom Good in The Good Life continues to find new audiences on streaming platforms. Though his death was a loss to British comedy, his performances in classic sitcoms, voice work, and stage roles ensure his memory endures.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Paul Eddington to Richard Briers?
Paul Eddington played Jerry Leadbetter in The Good Life, the neighbour of Briers’ character Tom Good.
Did Richard Briers appear in Mr. Bean?
There is no verified evidence that he appeared in Mr. Bean. The role was played by Rowan Atkinson.
What was Richard Briers’ net worth?
His net worth was not publicly disclosed. Speculative estimates are not based on reliable sources.
What shows did Richard Briers star in?
His most famous show is The Good Life. He also appeared in Ever Decreasing Circles, Monarch of the Glen, and many stage productions.
When was Richard Briers born?
He was born on 14 January 1934 in Raynes Park, Surrey.
What lung condition did Richard Briers have?
He had emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by smoking.
How old was Richard Briers when he died?
He was 79 years old.
For more on the series that defined his career, see The Good Life cast and characters. To explore the era of classic comedy, read about British sitcoms of the 1970s.
Sophie Marlowe covers culture, lifestyle and society for BritView.uk.