James Griffith's tall, dark, and gaunt features, coupled with his shady countenance, made him an ideal actor for playing swarthy villains in numerous film and television dramas throughout his career. His distinctive physical attributes, including his arched brows, hooded eyes, and prominent proboscis, played a significant role in his success.
Born James J. Griffith on February 13, 1916, in Los Angeles, California, he was of Welsh ancestry. Griffith and his sister, Dorothy, were raised in the Santa Monica area, where he developed an early interest in music. He learned to play several instruments, including the clarinet and saxophone, and even performed in local bands while arranging music for them.
Griffith's interest in acting began when he participated in school plays and later found parts in small theatre houses. However, he struggled to find consistent work, and eventually, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941, serving until 1947. After his military service, he worked as a gas station attendant and had a chance meeting with bandleader Spike Jones, which led to a six-month traveling gig with Jones' City Slicker Band.
Griffith's breakthrough role came in the 1948 film "Blonde Ice," where he played an insurance agent with a smarmy demeanor. He continued to work in both drama and comedy, often playing unsympathetic or shady characters. Some of his notable roles include "Alaska Patrol" (1949),"Indian Territory" (1950),"Double Deal" (1950),and "Fighting Man of the Plains" (1949),where he portrayed William Quantrill.
In the 1950s, Griffith began to focus on television, appearing in numerous westerns, including "The Lone Ranger," "Annie Oakley," "Gunsmoke," "The Big Valley," "Bonanza," "Death Valley Days," "The Gene Autry Show," "Wagon Train," "Rawhide," "Maverick," "Little House on the Prairie," "B.J. and the Bear," and "Dallas." He also played cold-hearted villains on "Batman" and appeared in other TV shows such as "The Streets of San Francisco," "Fantasy Island," and "Emergency!"
In his later years, Griffith turned to writing, penning theatre plays and movie scripts. He even had two of his early movie scripts released, including "Lorna" (1964),"Shalako" (1968),and "Catlow" (1971). Griffith passed away on September 17, 1993, at the age of 77, due to complications from cancer.
