Hugh Griffith
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Hugh Emrys Griffith (May 30, 1912 – May 14, 1980) was a film, stage and television actor. He was born in Marian Glas, Anglesey, Wales.
Griffith was educated in local schools and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination. He was then urged to make a career in banking. He became a bank clerk and transferred 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 theatre actor, and in 1958 was nominated for Tony award 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). He appeared as the Magistrate in Oliver! in 1968.
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.
Griffith received an honorary degree from the University of Wales, Bangor in 1980. He died from a heart attack in London, 16 days before his 68th birthday.
- Neutral Port (1940)
- The Last Days of Dolwyn (1949)
- Laughter in Paradise (1951)
- The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
- The Sleeping Tiger (1954)
- Lucky Jim (1957)
- Ben-Hur (1959)
- Exodus (1960)
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
- Tom Jones (1963)
- Moll Flanders (1965)
- Oliver! (1968)
- Sailor from Gibraltar
- Start the Revolution Without Me (1970)
- Cry of the Banshee
- Wuthering Heights
- Loving Cousins
- The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977)
- Grand Slam (1978)
- The Hound of the Baskervilles
- The Passover Plot
| Preceded by Burl Ives for The Big Country |
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1959 for Ben-Hur |
Succeeded by Peter Ustinov for Spartacus |