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Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien

Actor and writer, also composer · Born March 25, 1942 (84) · Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK

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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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 25, 1942 (84)
From
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Works as
Actor and writer, also composer
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Up 114% in 30 days

What are Richard O'Brien's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
23%
Society
20%
Bonds
18%
Power
15%
Morality
12%
Survival
7%
Ideas
5%
Identity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 10

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 5 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 10 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Trickster
2 of 6
Shadow
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Absurd
6
Joyful
8
Manic
3
Hopeful
4
Other
19

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Richard O'Brien's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Richard O'Brien's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Tiny Little Voices (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • The Rocky Horror Show Live 2021 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Composer

  • The Rocky Horror Musical Live Stream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Writer

  • Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe(2020)

    as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Stolen(2017)

    as Mr. Russell

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Crystal Maze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show Creator

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again(2016)

    Original Film Writer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Rocky Horror Show Live(2015)

    Composer · Lyricist · Writer · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lawrence Fletcher / Additional Voices (voice)

  • Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel(2013)

    as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Phineas and Ferb: The Perry Files - Animal Agents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)

  • Amanda Palmer And The Grand Theft Orchestra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • The British Guide to Showing Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension(2011)

    as Lawrence Fletcher / Lawrence-2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Jackboots on Whitehall(2010)

    as Himmler (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Mongrels(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Zombie Dog (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Phineas and Ferb Summer Belongs to you ! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Lawrence Fletcher

  • Night Train(2009)

    as Mrs. Froy

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Rocky Horror Tribute Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Composer · Creator · Lyricist · Writer · as Himself - Host

  • Phineas and Ferb(2007)

    Show 223 episodes · as Lawrence Fletcher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Children's Party at the Palace(2006)

    as The Childcatcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Ten Commandments(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anander

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Spicks and Specks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia(2005)

    as Prince Kasim

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Elvira's Haunted Hills(2001)

    as Lord Vladimere Hellsubus

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Dungeons & Dragons(2000)

    as Xilus

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special(2000)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Mumbo Jumbo(2000)

    as Archie

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Urban Gothic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Thin Man

  • Ever After: A Cinderella Story(1998)

    as Pierre Le Pieu

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Dark City(1998)

    as Mr. Hand

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Spice World(1997)

    as Damien

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Ink Thief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 7 episodes · as The Ink Thief

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Phibes

  • The Wolves of Willoughby Chase(1989)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Revolution(1985)

    as Lord Hampton

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Robin of Sherwood(1984)

    Show 5 episodes · as Gulnar

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Digital Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Writer · as Partridge, the Surly Servant

  • The Return of Captain Invincible(1983)

    Lyricist · Writer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Shock Treatment(1981)

    Composer · Lyricist · Screenplay · as Dr. Cosmo McKinley / Kitchenware Announcer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Fangs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Original Film Writer

  • An Audience with Dame Edna Everage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Flash Gordon(1980)

    as Fico

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Rushton's Illustrated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • The Odd Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Batch

  • The Contraption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as The Man

  • Jubilee(1978)

    as John Dee

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • A Hymn from Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Writer · as Reporter

  • Premiere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dave Head

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show(1975)

    Lyricist · Screenplay · Theatre Play · as Riff Raff

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Four Dimensions of Greta(1972)

    as Balding Hippy

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • X, Y & Zee(1972)

    as Party Guest

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Head

  • Carry on Cowboy(1965)

    as Rider (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 55 titles from 1965 to 2025; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

$121M worldwide

Highest rated

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19652025

Peak 2014 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1972Screen debut· Zee and Co.
  • 1975Breakout· The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • 2007Career best· Phineas and Ferb
  • 2015First top-billed film· Rocky Horror Show Live

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting47 of 55: 42 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thWriting11 of 55: 5 only writing, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score41stMusic4 of 55: 1 only music, 3 with another roleOther crew2 of 55: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

55 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1960s2 · acting1970s9 · 8 acting · 3 crew1980s10 · 8 acting · 4 crew1990s5 · acting2000s12 · 11 acting · 1 crew2010s13 · 11 acting · 3 crew2020s4 · 2 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 5% of 19 roles
728202

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Richard O'Brien's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 31 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned2
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

The Children's Party at the Palace (2006)

98th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer, composer

Rocky Horror Show Live (2015)

Midcredits 95th · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Richard O'Brien's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 45 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles23–58 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Richard O'Brien work with?

People who share at least 2 of Richard O'Brien's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jim Sharman shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles