Richard O'Brien (born Richard Smith on March 25, 1942) is a stuntman, actor and writer. He is best known for writing the musical The Rocky Horror Show and its 1975 film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His participation included writing the songs, and acting in the film. He is also known as presenter of The Crystal Maze.

He was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. In 1952, he emigrated with his family to Tauranga, New Zealand where his father had purchased a sheep farm. He returned to England in 1964.