Griff Rhys Jones
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 16, 1953 in Cardiff, Wales, UK
- Active Years
- 1949–2025 (77 Years)
- Total Credits
- 127 credits in database
Biography
Subject: Griff Rhys Jones (Acting).
Task: Write a factual identity profile.
Constraints:
Use ONLY provided facts.
No invented details (titles, names, dates, etc.).
Neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
Word count: 90-130 words.
No preamble, no JSON, no surrounding quotes.
Name: Griffith Rhys Jones (also Griff Rhys Jones, Griffith Rhys-Jones).
Born: November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Nationality/Identity: Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter.
Education: Brentwood School in Essex; Emmanuel College, Cambridge (studied History, then transferred to English).
Early Career: Joined the Footlights Club, becoming vice president in 1976.
Comedy Partner: Mel Smith.
Known Works: Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979), Alas Smith & Jones (1984), and The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt (1989).
Personal: Married to Jo Jones; they have two children.
Griffith Rhys Jones is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter born on November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales. He was educated at Brentwood School in Essex and later attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he studied History before transferring to English. In 1976, he became the vice president of the Footlights Club. Jones is known for his work with comedy partner Mel Smith on television series such as Not the Nine O'Clock News, Alas Smith & Jones, and The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt. He is married to Jo Jones, and the couple has two children.
"Griffith Rhys Jones is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter born on November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales." (21 words)
"He was educated at Brentwood School in Essex and later attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he studied History
Career overview
Role: Meticulous television and film archivist.
Goal: Write a career overview of Griff Rhys Jones (Acting) based only on provided sources.
Constraints:
Verifiable facts only.
No invented details (titles, names, dates, etc.).
Original, neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Plain text only (no markdown, asterisks, headings, bullet points).
Word count: 180-260 words.
Structure: 2-3 short paragraphs.
No preamble or JSON.
Name: Griffith Rhys Jones (also Griff Rhys Jones or Griff Rhys-Jones).
Born: November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales.
Profession: Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter.
Comedy Partner: Mel Smith (English actor and comedian).
Collaborations: Starred in a number of television series with Mel Smith.
Specific Shows:
Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979).
Alas Smith & Jones (1984).
The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt (1989).
Other info: OBE.
Paragraph 1: Identity and Background.
Griffith Rhys Jones, also known as Griff Rhys Jones, is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. Born on November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales, he has established a career in the entertainment industry. He is recognized for his work as an actor and writer, and he has received an OBE.
Paragraph 2: Career and Collaborations.
Jones is noted for starring in several television series alongside his comedy partner, Mel Smith. Their professional collaborations include the sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News, which aired in 1979, and Alas Smith and Jones, which began in 1984. His acting credits also include The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt, released in 1989. Through these roles, Jones has contributed to various television productions as both a performer and a writer.
Draft 1 Word Count Check:
Para 1: ~45 words.
Para 2: ~75 words.
Total: ~120 words.
Problem: I need to reach 180-260 words. I must expand using only the provided facts.
Re-evaluating facts to expand:
Name variations: Griffith Rhys Jones, Griff Rhys Jones, Griff Rhys-Jones.
Birth: November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales.
Roles: Actor, comedian, writer, television presenter.
Partner: Mel Smith (English actor, comedian, and filmmaker).
Shows: Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979), Alas Smith and Jones (1984), The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt (1989).
Honors: OBE.
Revised Draft:
Griffith Rhys Jones, who is also known as Griff Rhys Jones or Griff Rhys-Jones, is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. Born on November 16, 1953, in Cardiff, Wales, he has built a career characterized by his work in television and comedy. He is an OBE recipient and has been recognized for his contributions to the industry through his various roles in acting and writing.
A significant portion of his career involved working with his comedy partner, the English actor, comedian, and filmmaker Mel Smith. The two starred together in a number of television series. Their collaborative work includes the sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News, which is dated to 1979, and the series Alas Smith and Jones, which is dated to 1984. In addition to these collaborations, Jones is known for his work in
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
127 titles- Griff's Great American South (2025) as Self
- Douglas Adams: The Man Who Imagined Our Future (2025) as Self
- Griff’s Canadian Adventure (2022) as Host
- Gangsta Granny Strikes Again (2022) as Mr Parker
- Future TX (2022) as Foley
- Griff's Great New Zealand Adventure (2021)
- Between the Covers (2020) as Self
- Griff's Great Australian Rail Trip (2020) as Self - Presenter
- Griff's Great Kiwi Road Trip (2019) as Self
- The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer (2018) as Self - Guest
- Richard Osman's House of Games (2017) as Self - Panellist
- Murder on the Blackpool Express (2017) as David Van Der Clane
- Insert Name Here (2016) as Self - Panelist
- Love Somehow (2016) as Dylan Thomas
- The Quizeum (2015) as Himself - Presenter
- Slow Train Through Africa with Griff Rhys Jones (2015) as Himself - Presenter
- Under Milk Wood (2014) as Voice
- A Poet in New York (2014) Executive Producer
- A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones (2014) as Himself
- National Treasures of Wales (2014) Presenter
- Mel Smith: I've Done Some Things (2013) as Self
- Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army (2013) as Himself
- Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- A Short History of Everything Else (2012)
- A Short History of Everything Else (2012) Writer
- Tales of Television Centre (2012) as Self
- Britain's Lost Routes with Griff Rhys Jones (2012) as Presenter
- Perspectives (2011)
- Wogan on Wodehouse (2011) as Self
- In Confidence (2010)
- Rivers with Griff Rhys Jones (2009) as Self - Presenter
- Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News (2009) as Self
- Three Men in More Than One Boat (2009) as Himself
- Three Men In Another Boat (2008) as Himself
- Greatest Cities of the World with Griff Rhys Jones (2008)
- Greatest Cities of the World with Griff Rhys Jones (2008) Writer
- Losing It: Griff Rhys Jones On Anger (2008) as Himself - Presenter
- Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self
- Mountain (2007)
- Mountain (2007) Creator
- Charles Dickens and the Invention of Christmas (2007) as Himself - Presenter
- The One Show (2006) as Self
- The One Show (2006) as Self - Interviewed Guest
- Three Men in a Boat (2006) as Self
- The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (2006)
- The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (2006) Creator
- Three Men in a Boat (2006) as Himself
- 8 Out of 10 Cats (2005) as Self
- Final Chance to Save (2005) as Himself
- Going to Work Naked (2005) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- The Secret Life of Arthur Ransome (2005) as Self / Presenter
- The Secret Life of Arthur Ransome (2005) Writer
- Riot at the Rite (2005) as Astruc
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Dr David Quimper
- Who Do You Think You Are? (2004) as Self
- Mine All Mine (2004) as Max Vivaldi
- The Best of Not the Nine O'Clock News Volume Two (2004)
- QI (2003) as Self
- The Terry and Gaby Show (2003)
- Restoration (2003)
- The Best of Not the Nine O'Clock News Volume One (2003)
- Timeshift (2002) as Self - Not the Nine O'Clock News, 1980 (archive footage)
- Taliesin Jones (2002) as Caesar
- Puckoon (2002) as Col. Stokes
- Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001) as Self
- Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime (2000) as Emperor
- Parkinson (1998) as Self
- If I Ruled the World (1998) as Himself
- Up 'n' Under (1998) as Ray Mason, Radio York commentator
- Jack and the Beanstalk: The ITV Pantomime (1998) as Baron Wasteland
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Ambrose Deddington
- Jonathan Creek (1997) as Jeremy Sangster
- HARDtalk (1997)
- TFI Friday (1996)
- The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996) as Tino
- Sardines (1995) as Davy Kotowski
- Character Building (1995) as Narrator (voice)
- Staggered (1994) as Graham
- Smith & Jones - One Night Stand (1994)
- Shooting Stars (1993) as Self
- Demob (1993) as Ian Deasey
- Tales from the Poop Deck (1992) as Narrator (voice)
- Funnybones (1992)
- As You Like It (1992) as Touchstone
- Amnesty International's Big 30 (1991) as Self
- Ex (1991) as Patrick
- Have I Got News for You (1990) as Self
- Rita Rudner (1990)
- Screen One (1989) as Patrick
- Wilt (1989) as Henry Wilt
- A View of Harry Clark (1989) as Harry Clark
- Smith And Jones In Small Doses (1989)
- The Play on One (1988) as Harry Clark
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1988) as Himself
- Comic Relief (1988) as Self - Presenter
- Jake's Journey (1988) as Innkeeper
- The World According to Smith & Jones (1987) as Griff
- The World According to Smith & Jones (1987) Creator
- Porterhouse Blue (1987) as Cornelius Carrington
- Finland For Adults (1987) as Reporter
- Smith and Jones: The Home-Made Xmas Video (1987) as Dad
- Casualty (1986) as Paul Fuller
- Comedians Do It On Stage (1986) as Self
- Live Aid (1985) as Self
- Morons from Outer Space (1985) as Graham Sweetley
- Morons from Outer Space (1985) Writer
- Alas Smith and Jones (1984)
- Alas Smith and Jones (1984) Writer
- Alas Smith and Jones (1984) Creator
- Weekend Playhouse (1984) as Michael
- Wogan (1982) as Self
- The Young Ones (1982) as Bamber 'Bambi' Gascoigne
- The Funny Side of Christmas (1982) as Trevor
- The Funny Side of Christmas (1982) Writer
- The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982) as Self - Various Roles
- Question Time (1979) as Self - Panellist
- Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979)
- Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979) Writer
- An Audience with... (1978) as Self
- It'll be Alright on the Night (1977) as Self - Presenter
- It'll be Alright on the Night (1977) as Self - Host
- The Secret Policeman's Ball (1976) as Self
- Cambridge University 1974 Footlights Revue (1974) as Various
- Cambridge University 1974 Footlights Revue (1974) Writer
- Omnibus (1967)
- The BAFTA Awards (1949) as Host
- GRIFF’S SOUTHERN CHARM as Griff
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Griff Rhys Jones best known for?
Griff Rhys Jones is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Future TX (2022), Griff's Great Kiwi Road Trip (2019), The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer (2018), Born American (1986).
When and where was Griff Rhys Jones born?
Griff Rhys Jones was born on November 16, 1953 in Cardiff, Wales, UK.
How many credits does Griff Rhys Jones have?
Griff Rhys Jones has accumulated over 127 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 2025.
What is Griff Rhys Jones's background in cinema and television?
Subject: Griff Rhys Jones (Acting). Task: Write a factual identity profile. Constraints: Use ONLY provided facts. No invented details (titles, names, dates, etc.). Neutral, encyclopedic prose. Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points). Word count: 90-130 words. No preamble, no JSON, no ...
Griff Rhys Jones by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The BAFTA Awards (1949) as Host — aged about 4
- HARDtalk (1997) — aged about 43
- QI (2003) as Self — aged about 49
- Live Aid (1985) as Self — aged about 31
- The Young Ones (1982) as Bamber 'Bambi' Gascoigne — aged about 28
- Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self — aged about 53
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