Photo: Stuart Mentiply / GFDL 1.2 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list Richard O'Brien as an actor, playwright and composer. Richard O'Brien was born in Cheltenham, United Kingdom on March 25, 1942. The age as of 2026 is 84. Schooling on record includes Bretton Hall College. Credited works include The Rocky Horror Show.
My Take
Writing a single show that has run continuously since 1973 is the kind of achievement most creators only dream of, and Richard O'Brien did it with The Rocky Horror Show. What fascinates me is the sheer multiplicity of him, actor, playwright, composer, and the man who literally played Riff Raff on screen. His British and New Zealand roots give him a rootless, restless quality that feels woven into the gleeful strangeness of his work. I have always believed the weird and the brave outlast the safe, and O'Brien is living proof. He built a cult cathedral that refuses to close.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Richard O'Brien
- Name (Japanese)
- リチャード・オブライエン
- Reading
- りちゃーど・おぶらいえん
- Born
- March 25, 1942 (age 84)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Horse
- Origin
- Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- Occupation
- actor / playwright / composer / screenwriter / writer
2. Background
- University
- Bretton Hall College
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Rocky Horror Show | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Richard O'Brien born?
Born March 25, 1942 (age 84).
Where is Richard O'Brien from?
Richard O'Brien is from Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
What does Richard O'Brien do?
Richard O'Brien works as actor, playwright, composer, screenwriter, writer.
What is Richard O'Brien known for?
Notable works include The Rocky Horror Show.
Actor — see all → · Playwright — see all → · More people from the United Kingdom →