Hugh Griffiths

Hugh Emrys Griffith (30th May 1912 - 14th May 1980) was an Oscar-winning Welsh film, stage and television actor. 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. 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. Griffith received an honorary degree from the University of Wales, Bangor in 1980. He died from a heart attack in London in 1980 aged 67.