Richard O'Brien
Biography
Richard O'Brien, born Richard Timothy Smith on 25 March 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, is an English actor, television presenter, writer and theatre performer. In 1951 his family emigrated to Tauranga, New Zealand, and he returned to England in 1964, adopting his maternal grandmother’s surname as his professional name. O'Brien is best known for writing the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, which premiered in 1973 and was adapted into the 1975 film that became the longest‑running theatrical release in history. He presented Channel 4’s game show The Crystal Maze from 1990 to 1993 and provided the voice of Lawrence Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb.
Career overview
Richard O'Brien, born Richard Timothy Smith on 25 March 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, is an English actor whose career spans stage, television and voice work. After his family emigrated to Tauranga, New Zealand in 1951, O’Brien returned to England in 1964 and adopted his maternal grandmother’s surname as his professional name. He first achieved widespread recognition as the writer of the 1973 stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, which was adapted into the 1975 film that became the longest‑running theatrical release in history.
In addition to his writing, O’Brien built a substantial acting résumé, accumulating more than seventy‑four credited performances across film and television. He is perhaps best known to television audiences for presenting Channel 4’s game show The Crystal Maze from 1990 to 1993. More recently, he contributed his voice to the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb, portraying the character Lawrence Fletcher. Throughout his career O’Brien has worked as an actor, presenter, writer and theatre performer, maintaining a presence in both live‑action and animated productions.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
92 titles- Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) as Self
- Tiny Little Voices (2025)
- Rocky Horror 45: The Movie (2021) as Self
- The Rocky Horror Show Live 2021 (2021) Music
- Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- The Rocky Horror Musical Live Stream (2020) Writer
- The Crystal Maze (2017) Creator
- Life After Flash (2017) as Self
- The Stolen (2017) as Mr. Russell
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016) Original Film Writer
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016) Writer
- Rocky Horror Show Live (2015) as Narrator
- Rocky Horror Show Live (2015) Music
- Rocky Horror Show Live (2015) Lyricist
- Rocky Horror Show Live (2015) Writer
- Rocky Horror Show Live (2015) Original Music Composer
- Phineas and Ferb: Last Day of Summer (2015) as Lawrence (voice)
- Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars (2014) as Lawrence Fletcher / Additional Voices (voice)
- Phineas and Ferb Save Summer (2014) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- The Last Impresario (2014) as Self
- Phineas and Ferb: Night of the Living Pharmacists (2014) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel (2013) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Phineas and Ferb: The Perry Files - Animal Agents (2013) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Amanda Palmer And The Grand Theft Orchestra (2012)
- Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011) as Lawrence Fletcher / Lawrence-2 (voice)
- The British Guide to Showing Off (2011)
- Mongrels (2010) as Zombie Dog (voice)
- Jackboots on Whitehall (2010) as Himmler (voice)
- Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You! (2010) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Night Train (2009) as Mrs. Froy
- Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation! (2009) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Rocky Horror Tribute Show (2008) as Himself - Host
- Rocky Horror Tribute Show (2008) Writer
- Rocky Horror Tribute Show (2008) Music
- Rocky Horror Tribute Show (2008) Lyricist
- Rocky Horror Tribute Show (2008) Creator
- Dark City: Memories of Shell Beach (2008) as Self
- Phineas and Ferb (2007) as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)
- Once Upon a Time in New York: the Birth of Hip Hop, Disco and Punk (2007) as Self
- The Ten Commandments (2006) as Anander
- Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2006) as Self
- The Children's Party at the Palace (2006) as The Childcatcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
- Spicks and Specks (2005)
- The Perfect Scary Movie (2005) as Self
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia (2005) as Prince Kasim
- Elvira's Haunted Hills (2002) as Lord Vladimere Hellsubus
- Urban Gothic (2000) as Thin Man
- Dungeons & Dragons (2000) as Xilus
- Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special (2000)
- The Mumbo Jumbo (2000) as Archie
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- Behind the Music: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1999) as Self
- Dark City (1998) as Mr. Hand
- EverAfter (1998) as Pierre Le Pieu
- A Perfect Carry On (1998) as Self
- Spice World (1997) as Damien
- The Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show (1995) as Self
- The Ink Thief (1994) as The Ink Thief
- The Detectives (1993) as Dr. Phibes
- The Crystal Maze (1990) as Himself - Host
- Cluedo (1990) as Himself
- The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (1989) as James
- Going Live! (1987) as Self
- Revolution (1985) as Lord Hampton
- Robin of Sherwood (1984) as Gulnar
- The Return of Captain Invincible (1983) Lyricist
- The Return of Captain Invincible (1983) Writer
- Digital Dreams (1983) as Partridge, the Surly Servant
- Digital Dreams (1983) Writer
- Shock Treatment (1981) as Dr. Cosmo McKinley / Kitchenware Announcer (voice)
- Shock Treatment (1981) Lyricist
- Shock Treatment (1981) Screenplay
- Shock Treatment (1981) Music
- The Rocky Horror Treatment (1981) as Self
- Fangs (1981) Original Film Writer
- Flash Gordon (1980) as Fico
- An Audience with Dame Edna Everage (1980)
- An Audience with... (1978) as Self
- Jubilee (1978) as John Dee
- The Contraption (1978) as The Man
- The Odd Job (1978) as Batch
- Premiere (1977) Writer
- It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1977) as Dave Head
- A Hymn from Jim (1977) as Reporter
- A Hymn from Jim (1977) Writer
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) as Riff Raff
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Screenplay
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Story
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Lyricist
- Zee and Co. (1972) as Party Guest
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as Dave Head
- Carry On Cowboy (1965) as Rider (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard O'Brien best known for?
Richard O'Brien is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020), Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011), The Cowboys (1974), Doctor Mordrid (1992).
When and where was Richard O'Brien born?
Richard O'Brien was born on March 25, 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK.
How many credits does Richard O'Brien have?
Richard O'Brien has accumulated over 92 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1965 to 2025.
What is Richard O'Brien's background in cinema and television?
Richard O'Brien, born Richard Timothy Smith on 25 March 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, is an English actor, television presenter, writer and theatre performer. In 1951 his family emigrated to Tauranga, New Zealand, and he returned to England in 1964, adopting his maternal grandmother’s surname as his pro...