**Richard O'Brien** (born Richard Timothy Smith on March 25, 1942) is a British actor, writer, and composer, known for his eclectic career and distinctive style.

He is universally celebrated for creating the stage musical *The Rocky Horror Show*, which he later adapted into the cult film **The Rocky Horror Picture Show** (1975). In the film, O'Brien played the iconic and sinister role of Riff Raff, the hunchbacked servant, contributing indelibly to the film's success. His film career includes the lesser-known sequel, **Shock Treatment** (1981), in which he reprised a role and contributed to the screenplay.

He demonstrated his versatility in films such as Alex Proyas's sci-fi neo-noir **Dark City** (1998), where he portrayed the enigmatic and unsettling 'Stranger' Mr. Hand. O'Brien is often associated with eccentric characters, with a gothic or surreal touch, characterized by his distinctive screen presence and unmistakable voice, which have made him an icon of genre cinema.