Raymond Griffith was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Changing Husbands,” and “Hands Up!” Born into a theatrical family, he showed an early talent for performance despite facing personal challenges throughout his life.
Personal and Family Life
Raymond Griffith was born on January 23, 1895, in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents, James Henry Griffith and Mary Guichard, were actors, and he came from a lineage of performers, including his grandfather and great-grandfather. On January 8, 1928, he married actress Bertha Mann, and together they had two children, including a stillborn son, and later adopted a daughter.
Career
Griffith’s early career was marked by a severe vocal injury during childhood that left him with a whisper-like voice. Despite this challenge, he found success in silent films and developed a unique style that blended comedy and drama. He worked with various studios, notably under Mack Sennett and Paramount Pictures, and gained acclaim for his performances in films like “Paths to Paradise” and “Hands Up!”
Death and Legacy
On November 25, 1957, Raymond Griffith died of asphyxia after choking on food at the Masquers Club in Los Angeles. He was 62 years old. His contributions to early cinema, particularly in silent films, have left a lasting impact, and he is remembered for his distinctive acting style and adaptability in the film industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| All Quiet on the Western Front | 1930-04-29 | Gérard Duval (uncredited) |
| Changing Husbands | 1924-06-22 | Bob Hamilton |
| Poisoned Paradise | 1924-02-29 | Martel |
| Hands Up! | 1926-01-11 | Jack |
| Paths to Paradise | 1925-06-28 | The Dude from Duluth |
| White Tiger | 1923-12-17 | Roy Donovan |
| Trent’s Last Case | 1929-03-31 | Philip Trent |
| Miss Bluebeard | 1925-01-26 | Bertie Bird |
| The Eternal Three | 1923-09-22 | Leonard Foster |
| The Day of Faith | 1923-10-20 | Tom Barnett |
| Nellie, the Beautiful Cloak Model | 1924-04-16 | Shorty Burchell |
| Souls for Sale | 1923-04-22 | Self – Celebrity Actor |
| You’d Be Surprised | 1926-09-24 | Mr. Green – The Coroner |
| Lily of the Dust | 1924-08-24 | Karl Dehnecke |
| Open All Night | 1924-10-12 | Igor |
| The Night Club | 1925-04-26 | Robert White |
| Time to Love | 1927-06-18 | Alfred Sava-Goiu |
| The Surf Girl | 1916-07-09 | The Assistant Lifeguard |
| He’s a Prince! | 1925-10-05 | Prince |
| A Scoundrel’s Toll | 1916-09-17 | Victor Edison – the Inventor |
| His Foothill Folly | 1917-09-02 | The Corn Doctor |
| How Stars are Made | 1916-06-14 | The Janitor |
| The Sleeping Porch | 1929-09-07 | |
| Fine Clothes | 1925-08-09 | Oscar |
| Forty Winks | 1925-02-02 | Lord Chumley |
| The Follies Girl | 1919-04-27 | Fredric |
| Fools First | 1922-05-27 | Tony |
| A Dash of Courage | 1916-05-07 | Policeman |
| The Crossroads of New York | 1922-06-22 | Wall Street ‘Wolf’ |
| Red Lights | 1923-09-30 | Sheridan Scott |