A Welsh actor of theatre, film and television, Hugh Griffith earned his fame through his overflowing presence and his unmistakable booming voice. His most celebrated role was Sheikh Ilderim in 'Ben-Hur' (1959), which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and placed him among the great supporting players of his generation. Throughout his career he also shone in comedies such as 'Tom Jones' (1963), which earned him a new nomination, and in titles like 'The Hustler' and 'Oliver!'. He cultivated an exuberant, almost theatrical register, ideal for eccentric and lurid characters that he played with evident relish. Read more