Biography
Richard David Briers, CBE (14 January 1934 – 17 February 2013) was an English actor. His fifty-year career encompassed television, stage, film and radio. Briers first came to prominence as George Starling in Marriage Lines (1961–66), but it was a decade later, when he narrated Roobarb and Noah and Nelly in... SkylArk (1974–76) and when he played Tom Good in the BBC sitcom The Good Life (1975–78), that he became a household name. Later, he starred as Martin in Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–89), and he had a leading role as Hector in Monarch of the Glen (2000–05). From the late 1980s, with Kenneth Branagh as director, he performed Shakespearean roles in Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Hamlet (1996), and As You Like It (2006).
Acted in 96
2020s
- 2025
The Good Life: Inside Out
Movie
- 2022
The Good Life: Secret & Scandals
(archive footage)
2010s
- 2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Acting Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2013
Mouse and Mole at Christmas Time
Mouse (voice)
- 2012
Run For Your Wife
Newspaper Seller
- 2011
Horror on the High Rise
Movie
- 2010
All About The Good Life
Movie
National Theatre Live: London Assurance
Mr. Adolphus Spanker
2000s
- 2009
Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley
Roobarb/Custard (voice)
- 2007
A Bucket O' French and Saunders
TV
- 2006
- 2005
Dad
Larry James
- 2004
- 2003
Comedy Connections
TV
More Great Comedy Moments
Martin Bryce (archive footage)
Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-A-Lot
Robert (voice)
- 2002
Unconditional Love
Barry Moore
- 2001
Great Comedy Moments
Tom Good (archive footage)
Victoria & Albert
Joseph Paxton
- 2000
The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything
TV
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
The Student Prince
Dr. Corbitt
A Respectable Trade
Sir Charles Fairley · 4 episodes
- 1997
- 1996
The Adventures of Toad
Rat
- 1995
Heavy Weather
The Hon. Galahad Threepwood
The Adventures of Mole
Rat
- 1994
Mole's Christmas
Rat
Skallagrigg
Old Arthur/George
- 1993
If You See God, Tell Him
Godfrey Spry · 4 episodes
- 1992
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
A Chorus of Disapproval
Ted Washbrook
- 1988
Twelfth Night, or What You Will
Malvolio
Comic Relief
TV
- 1987
Doctor Who: Paradise Towers
The Chief Caretaker
- 1986
- 1985
All in Good Faith
Reverend Philip Lambe · 18 episodes
Alias the Jester
Alias · 13 episodes
A Month in the Country
Arkady
- 1984
Ever Decreasing Circles
TV
- 1983
The Aerodrome
The Rector
- 1982
It's Your Move
The Husband
Goodbye Mr Kent
Travis Kent · 7 episodes
- 1981
P.Q. 17
Jack Broome
1970s
- 1979
- 1978
- 1977
The Other One
Ralph Tanner · 13 episodes
The Norman Conquests
Reg · 3 episodes
The Galton & Simpson Playhouse
Henry Fairlane · 1 episode
Our Flesh and Blood
Mr. Smythe
- 1976
Noah and Nelly in... SkylArk
TV
- 1975
The Good Life
Tom Good · 28 episodes
Great
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
- 1974
Roobarb
TV
- 1973
- 1972
Rentadick
Miles Gannet
- 1970
From a Bird's Eye View
George Lemon · 1 episode
All the Way Up
Nigel Hadfield
1960s
- 1968
Ooh La La!
TV
- 1967
Fathom
Flight Lt. Timothy Webb
- 1965
- 1964
A Home of Your Own
The Husband
The Bargee
Tomkins
All in Good Time
The Young Husband
- 1963
Doctor in Distress
Medical Student (uncredited)
- 1962
The Girl on the Boat
Eustace Hignett
- 1961
A Matter of WHO
Jamieson
Murder She Said
'Mrs Binster'
Marriage Lines
George Starling · 43 episodes
- 1960
Bottoms Up!
Colbourne
1950s
- 1958
Girls at Sea
'Popeye' Lewis
- 1956
Armchair Theatre
Stanley Frelaine · 1 episode
- 1955
Appearances14
2010s
- 2017
Roobarb and Custard: The Complete Collection
Narrator, Roobarb, Custard / lot of characters. (uncredited)
2000s
- 2005
Roobarb and Custard Too
Narrator · 39 episodes
- 2001
1990s
- 1998
Geoff Hamilton: a Man and His Garden
Narrator · 5 episodes
- 1997
- 1994
French and Saunders' Christmas Carol
Self
Frances the Firefly
Narrator (voice)
1980s
- 1982
1970s
- 1976
A Small Miracle
Himself - Commentator
- 1975
Noddy
Narrator · 26 episodes
No release date
Bird Bath
Narrator · 25 episodes
Little Red Tractor Stories
Narrator (voice) · 4 episodes