Griffith Jones (1909 - 2007)

In his long career, Griffith Jones carved out a niche for himself in cinema as a dependable support to some of the biggest female stars in Britain. He did, however, give a few performances which showed he was capable of a lot more.

Jones was the son of a London milkman. He won a scholarship to study law at UCL, but after the first year switched to studying acting at nearby RADA. He was a gold medallist there which kick started his career and he appeared in the West End the same year he graduated. He also began his film career.

The big hit of Escape Me Never starring Elizabeth Bergner took him to Broadway, and he also filmed the play. War interrupted the smooth path of his career, though he spent most of his time in the services in the concert party Stars in Battle Dress. When he returned to film there were plenty of light support roles available to him (The Wicked Lady, Miranda) but he also managed a few more unusual roles notably the vicious spiv in They Made Me a Fugitive.

His career survived the angry young men era, though the film work dried up. In 1975 he joined the RSC and remained there for the next twenty five years taking a variety of roles. Among the major productions he appeared in were the '77 Macbeth and Nicholas Nickleby. He finally retired aged ninety.

Filmography 

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