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Hugh Griffith 1912 - 1980

Hugh Griffith was born on May 30, 1912 in Wales United Kingdom, and died at age 67 years old on May 14, 1980 in London, England.

Hugh Griffith

Hugh Emrys Griffith

May 30, 1912

Wales, United Kingdom

May 14, 1980

London, England, United Kingdom

Male

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Hugh Griffith Hugh Griffith (1912 - 1980)

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Hugh Griffith's History: 1912 - 1980

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Introduction

Hugh Griffith Welsh film actor Hugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage and television actor. He is best remembered for his role in the film Ben-Hur, which earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Some of his other notable credits include Exodus, Mutiny on the Bounty, Tom Jones, and Oliver!. Wikipedia Born: May 30, 1912, Marian-glas, United Kingdom Died: May 14, 1980, London, United Kingdom Spouse: Margaret Beatrice von Dechend (m. ?–1980) Parents: William Griffith, Mary Griffith Siblings: Elen Roger Jones
05/30

1912

Birthday

May 30, 1912

Birthdate

Wales United Kingdom

Birthplace

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Military Service

He joined the British Army, serving for six years with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in India and the Burma Campaign during the Second World War.
Professional Career

Career Between 1946 and 1976, Griffith won acclaim for many stage roles, in particular for his portrayals of Falstaff, Lear, and Prospero. Griffith performed on both sides of the Atlantic, taking leading roles in London, New York City, and Stratford. In 1952, he starred in the Broadway adaption of Legend of Lovers, alongside fellow Welsh actor Richard Burton. In 1958, he was back in New York, this time taking a lead role in the opening production of Look Homeward, Angel, alongside Anthony Perkins. Both he and Perkins were nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Griffith began his film career in British films during the late 1940s, and by the 1950s was also working in Hollywood. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ben-Hur (1959), and was nominated for his performance in Tom Jones (1963). In 1968, he appeared as the magistrate in Oliver!. His later career was often blighted by his chronic alcoholism. He played the funeral director Caradog Lloyd-Evans in the 1978 comedy Grand Slam. While visibly unwell at the time of the shooting (years of alcohol abuse had clearly taken their toll), Griffith's portrayal received widespread acclaim and helped the movie attain cult status. On television, he had major roles in Quatermass II (1955), a miniseries adaptation of A. J. Cronin's The Citadel (1960) and Clochemerle (1972).
05/14

1980

Death

May 14, 1980

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

London, England United Kingdom
Death location

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