Hugh Griffith

Hugh Griffith Profile Photo

Characters played by Hugh Griffith

Scheich Ildirim — Ben-Hur (1959)

Arab sheik who mentors Judah in chariot racing and aids his quest for vengeance.

Charles Bonnet — How to Steal a Million (1966)

Charles Bonnet is a prominent Paris art collector who forges and sells paintings by famous artists. He lends the supposedly authentic Venus to the museum without realizing that scientific testing is planned, and later agrees to abandon forgery after Simon helps protect his collection and Nicole's future.

Harry Ambrose — Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)

Biederbeck's assistant, discovers Victoria's body and is killed by Phibes.

Lord High Steward — Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

A court official in Kind Hearts and Coronets.

Sir January — The Canterbury Tales (1972)

An elderly merchant who impulsively marries the young May. After losing his sight, he relies heavily on her. He catches her with her lover Damian in a garden but is easily deceived by May's excuses into believing he hallucinated the encounter.

Professor Welch — Lucky Jim (1957)

Professor Welch is the professor connected with Jim Dixon's university department and the owner of the old car Jim takes during his desperate journey to the station. Jim's conduct has damaged their professional relationship, while the professor and his family pursue him and witness Jim leave for London.

Rabbi — The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Religious scholar who deciphers Phibes' Hebrew amulet, aiding investigation.

Joseph Noblart — What? (1972)

Joseph Noblart is the eccentric social center of the household, whose conversations and behavior dominate the dinner gathering. After receiving walkie-talkies from Edward, he becomes ill, demands his pajamas, claims he will live for centuries, and later confronts a young woman over the theft of his clothes.

Caradog Lloyd-Evans — Grand Slam (1978)

Caradog is a funeral director and a member of the Welsh rugby party who served in Paris near the end of the war. He pays for his son Glyn’s trip on condition that they search for his former romantic partner, whom he calls his “little butterfly.” He reunites with her, is protected from arrest, and is later found collapsed after the match.

King Louis — Start the Revolution Without Me (1970)

The monarch whose letter summons the brothers to Paris and whose court becomes entangled in the identity confusion. He demands military action as revolution threatens and ends with an unresolved confession.

Dan — The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)

A retired railway track worker who helps operate the village railway during its struggle to survive.

Judge Edgar Neilsen — The Story on Page One (1959)

Judge Edgar Neilsen is the presiding judge in the trial of Jo Morris and Larry Ellis for first-degree murder. After the jury finds both defendants not guilty, he counsels them individually in his chambers before they leave the courtroom together.

Career Overview

Hugh Griffith has 66 screen credits in a career dating back to 1940. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently Ealing comedies with 3 titles. Signature works include Ben-Hur, The Canterbury Tales, How to Steal a Million. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
66
Birth Date
1912-05-30
Birth Place
Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q310934), public domain (CC0).