Photo: Stuart Mentiply / GFDL 1.2 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
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
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- actor / playwright / composer / screenwriter / writer
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Bretton Hall College
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Rocky Horror Show | — |
6. Links
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 United Kingdom →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.