Born: May 30, 1912 – Died: May 14, 1980
Hugh Emrys Griffith, the larger-than-life character actor, was born on May 30, 1912, in Marianglas, Anglesey, North Wales. His parents, Mary and William Griffith, were hardworking individuals. Before pursuing his passion for acting, Griffith worked as a teller in the banking industry. However, he couldn't resist the call of the stage and won a scholarship to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Despite facing setbacks due to World War II, Griffith's talent shone through, and he became renowned for his eccentric and boisterous portrayals. His noteworthy contributions to the entertainment industry include an Academy Award-winning performance in "Ben-Hur."
Early Life and Career
Hugh Emrys Griffith had a humble upbringing in Marianglas, Anglesey, North Wales. His parents, Mary and William Griffith, instilled a strong work ethic in him. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on a scholarship and graduated as a gold medalist, ranking first in his class of 300 students. However, his career was put on hold when he enlisted in the Army during World War II and served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in India for six years.
After the war, Griffith resumed his acting career and achieved success on both stage and screen. He made his Broadway debut in 1951 and gained recognition for his role in "Look Homeward Angel" from 1957 to 1959, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. In film, he made his mark with memorable performances in "Tom Jones" (1963) and "How to Steal a Million" (1966).
Griffith's breakthrough role came in 1959 when he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting actor for his portrayal of Sheikh Ilderim in "Ben-Hur." This recognition solidified his status as a respected actor in Hollywood. Throughout his career, Griffith received numerous nominations and awards for his exceptional performances.
Beyond acting, Griffith had a talent for poetry. He was a longtime friend and drinking companion of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Griffith's impact on the entertainment industry can be seen through his memorable characters and his ability to bring eccentric roles to life. His presence on screen, characterized by his portly figure, bushy eyebrows, and resonant voice, left a lasting impression on audiences.
Hugh Emrys Griffith is considered an icon and a legendary character actor. His talent and unique presence continue to be admired, and his contributions to Hollywood and the wider entertainment industry are recognized to this day.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square | Sid Larkin |
| 1978 | The Hound of the Baskervilles | Frankland |
| 1978 | Grand Slam (TV Movie) | Caradog Lloyd-Evans |
| 1977 | The Last Remake of Beau Geste | Judge |
| 1977 | Joseph Andrews | Squire Western |
| 1977 | Some Like It Cool | The Caliph |
| 1976 | The Passover Plot | Caiaphas |
| 1975 | Legend of the Werewolf | Maestro Pamponi |
| 1975 | A Legacy (TV Series) | Baron Felden |
| 1974 | BBC2 Playhouse (TV Series) | Dr. Walden |
| 1974 | Craze | Solicitor |
| 1974 | High School Girl | Barone di Roccadura |
| 1974 | Luther | John Tetzel |
| 1973 | Take Me High | Sir Harry Cunningham |
| 1973 | Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (TV Series) | The Man |
| 1973 | The Final Programme | Professor Hira |
| 1973 | Owen, M.D. (TV Series) | John Owen |
| 1973 | Increase and Multiply | Monsignor Casadei |
| 1972 | What? | Joseph Noblart |
| 1972 | Dr. Phibes Rises Again | Harry Ambrose |
| 1972 | The Canterbury Tales | Sir January |
| 1972 | Clochemerle (TV Series) | Alexandre Bourdillat |
| 1972 | Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? | Mr. Harrison |
| 1971–1972 | Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) | Uncle Rollo | Choobukov |
| 1971 | Tomorrow's World (TV Series) | The Baron |
| 1971 | The Abominable Dr. Phibes | Rabbi |
| 1970 | Wuthering Heights | Dr. Kenneth |
| 1970 | Cry of the Banshee | Mickey |
| 1970 | Start the Revolution Without Me | King Louis |
| 1968 | The Fixer | Lebedev |
| 1968 | Brown Eye, Evil Eye | Tadeusz Bridges |
| 1968 | Oliver! | Magistrate |
| 1968 | Il marito è mio e l'ammazzo quando mi pare | Ignazio |
| 1967 | On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who... | Ibn-el-Rascid |
| 1967 | The Sailor from Gibraltar | Llewellyn |
| 1967 | Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad | Commodore Roseabove |
| 1966 | ABC Stage 67 (TV Series) | Herr Hoffman |
| 1966 | How to Steal a Million | Charles Bonnet |
| 1966 | The Poppy Is Also a Flower (TV Movie) | Salah Rahman Khan |
| 1965 | Treasure Island (Short) | Unknown |
| 1965 | The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders | Prison Governor |
| 1965 | The Walrus and the Carpenter (TV Series) | Luther Flannery |
| 1964 | The Bargee | Joe Turnbull |
| 1964 | Hide and Seek | Wilkins |
| 1963 | Comedy Playhouse (TV Series) | Luther Flannery |
| 1963 | Tom Jones | Squire Western |
| 1962 | Mutiny on the Bounty | Alexander Smith |
| 1962 | Term of Trial | O'Hara |
| 1962 | Lisa | Van der Pink |
| 1962 | The Counterfeit Traitor | Collins |
| 1960 | Exodus | Mandria |
| 1960 | Point of Departure (TV Movie) | Father |
| 1960 | Dow Hour of Great Mysteries (TV Series) | Captain Harmonville |
| 1960 | The Day They Robbed the Bank of England | O'Shea |
| 1960 | The DuPont Show of the Month (TV Series) | Long John Silver |
| 1960 | The Citadel (TV Movie) | Philip Denny |
| 1959 | The Story on Page One | Judge Edgar Neilsen |
| 1959 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Rev. Light | Jaggers |
| 1959 | Ben-Hur | Sheik Ilderim |
| 1959 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Général St. Pé |
| 1959 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | M. Tarde |
| 1959 | Omnibus (TV Series) | (segment "Ah Sweet Mystery of Mrs. Murphy") |
| 1957 | Lucky Jim | Professor Welch |
| 1957 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Simon Kendall |
| 1957 | The Good Companions | Morton Mitcham |
| 1955 | The Merry Christmas (TV Movie) | Scrooge |
| 1955 | Colonel March of Scotland Yard (TV Series) | Dr. Ivy |
| 1955 | Quatermass II (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Leo Pugh |
| 1955 | Passage Home | Pettigrew |
| 1955 | BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) | The photographer |
| 1954 | The Sleeping Tiger | The Inspector |
| 1954 | Man with a Million | Potter (uncredited) |
| 1953 | The Teddy Bear (TV Movie) | Charley Delaney |
| 1953 | Thames Tug (TV Series) | Ted Wren |
| 1953 | The Broken Jug (TV Movie) | Judge Adam |
| 1953 | Escapade (TV Movie) | Andrew Deeson |
| 1953 | The Beggar's Opera | The Beggar |
| 1953 | Rheingold Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Saturday Special (TV Series) | The tramp |
| 1953 | The Titfield Thunderbolt | Dan |
| 1952 | Back to Methuselah (TV Series) | Burge |
| 1952 | Lights Out (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Constantine | Man with Cello |
| 1952 | Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Laughter in Paradise | Henry Augustus Russell |
| 1951 | The Galloping Major | Humbert Temple |
| 1950 | Gone to Earth | Andrew Vessons |
| 1949 | A Run for Your Money | Huw |
| 1949 | Dr. Morelle: The Case of the Missing Heiress | Bensall |
| 1949 | Kind Hearts and Coronets | Lord High Steward |
| 1949 | Woman of Dolwyn | The Minister |
| 1948 | Dulcimer Street | Headlam Fynne |
| 1948 | A Comedy of Good and Evil (TV Movie) | The Rev. John Williams |
| 1948 | Affairs of a Rogue | Bishop of Salisbury |
| 1948 | So Evil My Love | Coroner |
| 1948 | The Three Weird Sisters | Mabli Hughes |
| 1947 | The Silver Darlings | Packman |
| 1947 | The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (TV Movie) | Mephistophilis |
| 1947 | Maria Marten or, the Murder at the Red Barn (TV Movie) | Ishmael |
| 1947 | The Wandering Jew (TV Movie) | Juan de Texeda (as Hugh Griffiths) |
| 1940 | Neutral Port | Spaniard (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Night Train to Munich | Sailor (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Johnson Was No Gentleman (TV Movie) | A Footman |
General:
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