Hugh Griffith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugh Griffith
Griffith in 1960
Born	Hugh Emrys Griffith (1912-05-30)30 May 1912 Marian-glas, Anglesey, Wales
Died	14 May 1980(1980-05-14) (aged 67) London, England
Resting place	Golders Green Crematorium
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1939–1980
Spouse(s)	(Adelgunde) Margaret Beatrice von Dechend (m. 1947)
Relatives	Elen Roger Jones (sister)

Hugh Emrys Griffith (born May 30, 1912 – died May 14, 1980) was a famous actor from Wales. He acted in many films, plays, and TV shows. People remember him most for his role in the movie Ben-Hur (1959). For this role, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, which is a very important award in movies. He also appeared in other well-known films like Exodus (1960), Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), Tom Jones (1963), and Oliver! (1968).

Early Life and Education

Hugh Griffith was born in a place called Marian-glas in Anglesey, Wales. He was the youngest son of Mary and William Griffith. He went to Llangefni County School. After school, he tried to get into university but did not pass an English test.

He was then encouraged to work in banking. He became a bank clerk and moved to London. This move helped him be closer to acting chances. He even got into a famous acting school called the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

However, his acting plans had to wait. He joined the British Army and served for six years. He was part of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and fought in India and the Burma Campaign during World War II. After the war, he started acting again in 1946.

Acting Career

From 1946 to 1976, Hugh Griffith was praised for his many roles on stage. He was especially known for playing characters like Falstaff, King Lear, and Prospero. He acted in major cities like London, New York City, and Stratford. In 1952, he starred in a Broadway play called Legend of Lovers with another Welsh actor, Richard Burton.

In 1958, he was back in New York. He played a main role in the first production of Look Homeward, Angel. He acted alongside Anthony Perkins in this play. Both Hugh Griffith and Anthony Perkins were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Griffith started his film career in British movies in the late 1940s. By the 1950s, he was also working in Hollywood. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ben-Hur (1959). He was also nominated for an Academy Award for his acting in Tom Jones (1963). In 1968, he played the magistrate in the movie Oliver!. He also played a character named Caradog Lloyd-Evans in the 1978 comedy film Grand Slam.

On television, he had important roles in shows like Quatermass II (1955). He also appeared in a TV miniseries based on the novel The Citadel (1960) and the show Clochemerle (1972).

Awards and Recognition

In 1965, Hugh Griffith received a special honorary degree. This was from the University of Wales in Bangor.

Later Life and Death

Hugh Griffith was unwell for about a year. He passed away in 1980 at his home in Kensington, London. He died just two weeks before his 68th birthday.

Selected Filmography

Hugh Griffith appeared in many films throughout his career. Here are some of them:

Images for kids

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  Hugh Griffith in 1960

See also

In Spanish: Hugh Griffith para niños