Raymond Griffith
Known For
Acting
Born
1895-01-22 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Died
1957-11-25
Biography
Raymond Griffith was one of the great silent movie comedians. Later in his career, he worked behind the camera as writer and producer. Griffith was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He lost his voice at an early age, causing him to speak for the rest of his life in a hoarse whisper. Griffith claimed that it was the result of his having to scream at the top of his lungs every night in a stage melodrama as a child actor —others have stated that a childhood disease was more likely the cause. Although a few comedy films of his are considered classics, Griffith is almost totally forgotten today. Many of his starring feature films have long since been lost, but probably the best known of his films today is Hands Up! (1926), a Civil War comedy feature directed by Clarence G. Badger, and co-starring Mack Swain, which was entered into the National Film Registry in 2005. Also considered a classic is Badger's Paths to Paradise, a caper film that is in all circulating prints missing its final reel. Like many silent comedians, he had a traditional costume; his was a top hat, white tie and tails, often augmented by a cape and/or walking stick. The coming of sound ended Griffith's acting career, but he did have one memorable role in a motion picture before retiring from the screen, playing a French soldier killed by Lew Ayres in the 1930 Lewis Milestone film All Quiet on the Western Front. He then segued into a writing/producing career at Twentieth Century Fox. Griffith choked to death at the Masquers Club in Los Angeles, California, aged 62, on November 25, 1957.
Most Known For
All Quiet on the Western Front
as Gérard Duval (uncredited)
He's a Prince!
as Prince
Souls for Sale
as Self - Celebrity Actor
The Surf Girl
as The Assistant Lifeguard
You'd Be Surprised
as Mr. Green
Time to Love
as Alfred Sava-Goiu
The Follies Girl
as Fredric
A Dash of Courage
as Policeman
Paths to Paradise
as The Dude from Duluth
Trent's Last Case
as Philip Trent
Hands Up!
as Jack
Red Lights
as Sheridan Scott
White Tiger
as Roy Donovan
Open All Night
as Igor
The Night Club
as Robert White
Miss Bluebeard
as Bertie Bird
Fools First
as Tony
The Day of Faith
as Tom Barnett
Lily of the Dust
as Karl Dehnecke
The Eternal Three
as Leonard Foster