Raymond Griffith was born on January 23, 1895, in Boston, Massachusetts, to a theatrical family. His parents, James Henry Griffith and Mary Guichard, were both actors, as were his grandfather, Gerald Griffith, and his great-grandfather, Thomas Griffith. Griffith made his stage debut at the age of 15 months and by the time he was seven, he was playing the lead in "Little Lord Fauntleroy."
However, a childhood case of respiratory diphtheria permanently damaged his vocal cords, and he lost his voice while playing a part in "The Witching Hour." Despite his efforts to recover, he was unable to regain his full vocal power, and his acting career came to an end.
Griffith joined a circus and worked as a dancer and dance teacher before joining the vaudeville circuit. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 1910 to 1912. After his discharge, he went to California and began working in films, initially as an extra and later as a comedian and scenario writer.
Griffith worked for various studios, including Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios, where he became a gag man and scenario writer. He also worked for Triangle, Fox, and Goldwyn Pictures, where he developed a unique acting style that blended comedy and drama.
In the 1920s, Griffith's career reached its peak, with roles in films such as "The Day of Faith," "The White Tiger," and "Nellie, the Beautiful Cloak Model." He also worked with directors such as Tod Browning and Cecil B. DeMille.
However, Griffith's career began to decline in the late 1920s, and he was eventually replaced by sound actors. He made a few sound films, but his vocal handicap made it difficult for him to continue as a featured actor.
Griffith retired from acting and went on to work as a production supervisor and associate producer. He continued to work in the film industry until his death on November 25, 1957, at the age of 62.
