Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien

Born March 25, 1942 (Age: 84) Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK

Biography

Richard O'Brien (born Richard Timothy Smith, 25 March 1942) is an English actor, television presenter, writer and theatre performer, best known for writing the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show (1973), famously adapted into a film in 1975, the longest-running theatrical release in history. O'Brien was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. In 1951, the family emigrated to Tauranga, New Zealand but he moved back to England in 1964. On becoming an actor, he changed his name to Richard O'Brien (his maternal grandmother's surname). O'Brien presented the 1990–93 Channel 4 game show The Crystal Maze, and voiced Lawrence Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb (2008–2015; 2025–present) and its two films (2011 and 2020). His other acting credits include Flash Gordon (1980), Spice World (1997), EverAfter (1998), Dark City (1998), Dungeons & Dragons (2000), Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001), and Jackboots on Whitehall (2010). O'Brien is transgender and identifies himself as third gender and uses he/him pronouns.
Richard O'Brien (born Richard Timothy Smith, 25 March 1942) is an English actor, television presenter, writer and theatre performer, best known for writing the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show (1973), famously adapted into a film in 1975, the longest-running theatrical release in history. O'Brien was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. In 1951, the family emigrated to Tauranga, New Zealand but he moved back to England in 1964. On becoming an actor, he changed his name to Richard O'Brien (his maternal grandmother's surname). O'Brien presented the 1990–93 Channel 4 game show The Crystal Maze, and voiced Lawrence Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb (2008–2015; 2025–present) and its two films (2011 and 2020). His other acting credits include Flash Gordon (1980), Spice World (1997), EverAfter (1998), Dark City (1998), Dungeons & Dragons (2000), Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001), and Jackboots on Whitehall (2010). O'Brien is transgender and identifies himself as third gender and uses he/him pronouns.
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Filmography

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

2025 as Self Age: 83
The Stolen

The Stolen

2017 as Mr. Russell Age: 75
Rocky Horror Show Live

Rocky Horror Show Live

2015 as Narrator Age: 73
Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You!

Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You!

2010 as Lawrence Fletcher (voice) Age: 68
Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!

Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!

2009 as Lawrence Fletcher (voice) Age: 67
The Children's Party at the Palace

The Children's Party at the Palace

2006 as The Childcatcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) Age: 64
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia

2005 as Prince Kasim Age: 62
Elvira's Haunted Hills

Elvira's Haunted Hills

2002 as Lord Vladimere Hellsubus Age: 60
Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

2000 as Xilus Age: 58
Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special

Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special

2000 as Age: 58
The Mumbo Jumbo

The Mumbo Jumbo

2000 as Archie Age: 58
Behind the Music: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Behind the Music: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

1999 as Self Age: 57
No Image

A Perfect Carry On

1998 as Self Age: 56
EverAfter

EverAfter

1998 as Pierre Le Pieu Age: 56
Dark City

Dark City

1998 as Mr. Hand Age: 55
Spice World

Spice World

1997 as Damien Age: 55
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

1989 as James Age: 47
Revolution

Revolution

1985 as Lord Hampton Age: 43
Shock Treatment

Shock Treatment

1981 as Dr. Cosmo McKinley / Kitchenware Announcer (voice) Age: 39
No Image

The Rocky Horror Treatment

1981 as Self Age: 38
An Audience with Dame Edna Everage

An Audience with Dame Edna Everage

1980 as Age: 38
Flash Gordon

Flash Gordon

1980 as Fico Age: 38
The Odd Job

The Odd Job

1978 as Batch Age: 36
The Contraption

The Contraption

1978 as The Man Age: 35
Jubilee

Jubilee

1978 as John Dee Age: 35
A Hymn from Jim

A Hymn from Jim

1977 as Reporter Age: 35
No Image

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll

1977 as Dave Head Age: 35
The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

1975 as Riff Raff Age: 33
Zee and Co.

Zee and Co.

1972 as Party Guest Age: 29
Carry On Cowboy

Carry On Cowboy

1965 as Rider (uncredited) Age: 23