29 December,2014 07:38 AM IST | | PTI
79-year-old veteran British actor David Ryall, who is best known as Elphias Doge in one of the 'Harry Potter' films, has passed away
London: 79-year-old veteran British actor David Ryall, who is best known as Elphias Doge in one of the 'Harry Potter' films, has passed away.
The character actor died on December 25. He is survived by a son and two daughters, reported Metro.
Ryall, who was known both for his stage and screen work, had a career which spanned over five decades and included roles in 'Holby City', 'Casualty', 'Goodnight Sweetheart' and the original version of 'House Of Cards'.
'Sherlock' writer Mark Gatiss, who directed Ryall in TV movie 'The Tractate Middoth' in 2013, while paying tribute to the actor said, "The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP."
Although his role in 'Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part 1' was a small one it was significant, with the actor sharing screen space with Daniel Radcliffe at Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding before Elphias Doge disapparates to avoid the arrival of the Death Eaters.
The actor's later roles included that of Frank, the dementia-stricken grandfather, in BBC hit comedy 'Outnumbered', with Ryall appearing regularly in the first two series of the show before reprising the role in the 2009 and 2011 Christmas specials.
More recently he played Old Bert, the narrator of BBC One hit 'The Village', who recalls his life through a series of flashbacks.
