Griff Rhys Jones’s Career in Television, Film, Stage, and Music
Welsh actor, comedian, presenter, born 1953.
Not the Nine O’Clock News & Alas Smith and Jones.
Mel Smith, forming one of the UK’s most iconic double acts.
TV documentaries, live tours, and stage performances.
Key career insights
- Rose to fame in the 1980s alternative comedy boom alongside Mel Smith.
- Appointed OBE in 2006 for services to comedy and charity.
- Successfully transitioned from sketch comedy to factual television presenting.
- Maintains a strong connection to his Welsh heritage, often presenting programs about Wales.
- Net worth is estimated in the millions, though exact figures are not publicly verified.
- Has written several books, including semi-autobiographical works.
Snapshot facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Griffith Rhys Jones |
| Date of Birth | 16 November 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Cardiff, Wales |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, television presenter |
| Famous Works | Not the Nine O’Clock News, Alas Smith and Jones |
| Stage Credits | Oliver!, A Christmas Carol, Charley’s Aunt |
| Awards | OBE (2006), Olivier Award, BAFTA Cymru awards |
| Spouse | Jo Jones (married 1998) |
| Children | Two (names not publicly disclosed) |
What are Griff Rhys Jones’s most famous movies and TV shows?
He is best known for Not the Nine O’Clock News (1979–1982), which launched his career alongside Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson, and Mel Smith. The success of that show led directly to Alas Smith and Jones (1984–1998), a sketch show built around his double act with Mel Smith.
Beyond comedy, he has presented numerous documentaries, including Griff’s Great Welsh Adventure and other travel series for the BBC. He also appeared in the BBC film Gangsta Granny Strikes Again.
What plays has Griff Rhys Jones performed in?
His stage career includes a wide range of roles. According to his talent agency profile and theatre listings, he has performed in Oliver!, A Christmas Carol, The Miser, An Hour and a Half Late, and Charley’s Aunt. He won an Olivier Award for his performance in Charley’s Aunt.
Did Griff Rhys Jones release any songs?
No credible sources identify Griff Rhys Jones as a singer or songwriter with notable releases. His public profile is firmly rooted in comedy, acting, and presenting. While he may have performed comedic songs as part of sketches, there is no verified discography of recorded music.
The Comedy Partnership of Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith
The partnership between Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith is one of the defining collaborations of 1980s British television. They met at Cambridge University, where both were involved in the Footlights.
Their chemistry was immediately apparent on Not the Nine O’Clock News, leading to their own show, Alas Smith and Jones. They also formed a production company, TalkBack Productions.
The duo’s blend of sharp satire, physical comedy, and character work helped define the sketch comedy format for a generation, influencing later acts.
Griff Rhys Jones’s Personal Life: Children and Early Years
Does Griff Rhys Jones have children?
He is married to Jo Jones, whom he wed in 1998. The couple have two children. In line with his family’s privacy preferences, the names of his children are not publicly disclosed in reputable sources.
What was Griff Rhys Jones like as a young person?
Raised in Brentwood, Essex, after being born in Cardiff, he attended Brentwood School before reading English at Cambridge University. It was at Cambridge that he joined the Footlights, the renowned student comedy club, which set him on the path to a career in entertainment.
Griff Rhys Jones’s Net Worth and Financial Success
Establishing a precise net worth for Griff Rhys Jones is difficult due to the lack of public financial disclosures. Various online sources, unverified by official statements, estimate his net worth to be in the range of $5 to $10 million. These figures should be treated as speculative.
Estimates placing Griff Rhys Jones’s net worth at $5–10 million come from unofficial sources and are not corroborated by public financial records or official statements from the performer himself.
His income streams are diverse, stemming from decades of work in television, theatre, writing, and live touring.
Griff Rhys Jones’s Recent and Upcoming Tour
In 2025, Griff Rhys Jones is undertaking a live tour of the UK with a new show titled The Cat’s Pyjamas.
- 9 September 2025: Tour begins (preview shows).
- Various venues: Radlett, Diss, Liverpool, Shrewsbury, London, Wrexham.
- 26 November 2025: Final scheduled date of the tour.
Tickets for The Cat’s Pyjamas tour can be found via official ticketing platforms. The tour spans the UK from September to November 2025.
What is known and what remains unclear about Griff Rhys Jones?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 16 November 1953 in Cardiff | Exact net worth figures |
| Married with two children | Names of his children |
| OBE recipient (2006) | Specific details of future projects |
| Major credits: Not the Nine O’Clock News, Alas Smith and Jones | Full discography (he has no notable music career) |
How has Griff Rhys Jones influenced British comedy and television?
Griff Rhys Jones represents a key figure in the transition from 1980s alternative comedy to mainstream family entertainment. His work with Mel Smith brought a new, sharper style of satire to BBC audiences.
Unlike many comedians of his era, he successfully pivoted to presenting factual and heritage television, particularly focusing on Welsh history and culture for the BBC and Cadw.
His continued presence on stage and through live tours demonstrates a lasting connection with audiences that few entertainers maintain.
What do official sources say about Griff Rhys Jones?
“Griffith Rhys Jones OBE (born 16 November 1953) is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and television presenter.”
— Wikipedia
“As well as being a celebrated comedian, actor, presenter and author, Griff Rhys Jones is known for his epic adventures around Wales.”
— Cadw (gov.wales)
“Griff is perhaps best known for his comedy sketch work on the BBC, regularly appearing in Not The Nine O’Clock News and the iconic Alas Smith and Jones.”
— YMU Group
What is the lasting legacy of Griff Rhys Jones?
His legacy is that of a versatile entertainer who successfully navigated the changing landscapes of British television and theatre. From defining sketch comedy with Mel Smith to presenting documentaries on subjects he is passionate about, his career reflects a genuine breadth of talent. For a similar story of a British entertainer, read Colin Murray – Biography, Countdown Host and BBC Career.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Griff Rhys Jones?
Griff Rhys Jones was born on 16 November 1953, making him 71 years old as of 2025.
Is Griff Rhys Jones married?
Yes, he married Joanna (Jo) in 1998. They have two children.
What is Griff Rhys Jones’s height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Has Griff Rhys Jones won any awards?
Yes, he was appointed OBE in 2006 and has won BAFTA Cymru awards among others.
Does Griff Rhys Jones have an autobiography?
He has written several books, including ‘Semi-Detached’ and ‘The Key to My Wife’s Back’, but no full autobiography.
Who was Griff Rhys Jones’s comedy partner?
Mel Smith. They starred together in Not the Nine O’Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones.
What is Griff Rhys Jones doing in 2025?
He is touring the UK with his show The Cat’s Pyjamas from September to November 2025.
Where was Griff Rhys Jones born?
He was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 16 November 1953.
Thomas Whitmore is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering Parliament, government policy, elections, public spending and political accountability.