Richard O'Brien is a British-New Zealander actor, writer, musician, and television presenter. He wrote the musical stage show The Rocky Horror Show in 1973, which has since remained in continuous production. He also co-wrote the screenplay along with director Jim Sharman for the film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and appeared on-screen as Riff Raff. The film became an international success and has received a large cult following. O'Brien co-wrote the musical Shock Treatment and appeared in the film as Dr. Cosmo McKinley.
From 1990 to 1993, O'Brien presented the Channel 4 game show The Crystal Maze. He also provides the voice of Lawrence Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb, as well as its two films. His other acting credits include Flash Gordon, Robin of Sherwood, Spice World, Ever After, Dungeons & Dragons, and Elvira's Haunted Hills.
After a long and successful career based in the United Kingdom, O'Brien gained dual citizenship with New Zealand in 2011, where he resided in Tauranga. O'Brien identifies himself as third gender and uses he/him pronouns.