| 153rd | Top Welsh people |
| Hugh Griffith | |
|---|---|
 from the trailer for the film Ben-Hur (1959) |
|
| Born | Hugh Emrys Griffith 30 May 1912 Marian Glas, Anglesey, Wales |
| Died | 14 May 1980 (aged 67) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1939 – 1980 |
Hugh Emrys Griffith (30 May 1912 – 14 May 1980) was a Welsh film, stage and television actor.
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Griffith was born in Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, the son of Mary and William Griffith.[1] He was educated at local schools and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination. He was then urged to make a career in banking, becoming a bank clerk and transferring to London to be closer to acting opportunities. Just as he was making progress and gained admission to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he had to suspend his plans in order to serve in the army in India and Burma during World War II. He resumed his acting career in 1947.
Griffith began his film career in British films during the late 1940s, and by the 1950s was also appearing in Hollywood films. He also had a successful career as a stage actor. In 1958, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in Look Homeward, Angel on Broadway. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ben-Hur (1959), and received a second nomination for his role in Tom Jones (1963). In 1960, he appeared in an adaptation of A. J. Cronin's The Citadel, and in 1968, he appeared as the magistrate in Oliver!. His later career was often blighted by his chronic alcoholism.
On television, he had major roles in Quatermass II (1955) and Clochemerle (1972), but is best remembered for his role as lecherous funeral director Caradog Lloyd-Evans in the 1978 comedy Grand Slam.
He died from a heart attack in London in 1980.
Griffith received an honorary degree from the University of Wales, Bangor in 1980.
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