Griff Rhys Jones: Biography, Career, Children, Net Worth

There’s a particular charm about a performer who can lampoon the news one decade and become a leading voice for historic buildings the next. Born in Cardiff on 16 November 1953, Griff Rhys Jones rose to national prominence alongside Mel Smith in Not the Nine O’Clock News and later Alas Smith & Jones.

Born: 16 November 1953 ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer, presenter ·
Spouse: Jo Rhys Jones (m. 1984) ·
Children: 2 ·
Known for: Alas Smith & Jones, Not the Nine O’Clock News ·
Awards: OBE (2004)

The table below summarises the key biographical details of Griff Rhys Jones, drawn from multiple sources.

Did Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones get along?

The comedy partnership dynamic

Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith first worked together on Not the Nine O’Clock News (1979–1982), a satirical sketch show that launched both their careers. The partnership continued through Alas Smith & Jones (1984–1998) and the co-founding of TalkBack Productions in 1981 (Evening Standard). The BFI Screenonline describes the duo as “one of the most successful comedy double acts of the 1980s” (BFI Screenonline).

Public statements and reports

Despite their on-screen chemistry, Rhys Jones later described the partnership as “no match made in heaven” in an interview. Reports suggest creative tensions, but both maintained professionalism and delivered consistent ratings. The implication: the friction may have fueled rather than hindered their output.

Does Griff Rhys Jones have children?

Names and ages of children

Griff Rhys Jones has two children with his wife Jo Rhys Jones, whom he married in 1984 (IMDb). He has generally kept their names and exact ages out of the public spotlight, maintaining a clear boundary between his professional and family life.

Relationship with grandchildren

Rhys Jones has mentioned grandchildren in interviews, though specific details remain private. In 2021 he told a local newspaper that family gatherings are the “best part of his life.”

Is Sophie Rhys Jones related to Griff?

Sophie Rhys Jones identity

Sophie Rhys Jones appears in some public records as a British actress and writer, but there is no confirmed evidence that she is a child or sibling of Griff Rhys Jones. Public genealogical databases and media reports do not list her as a close relative.

Relation to Griff Rhys Jones

The surname Rhys Jones is relatively common in Wales, and without a direct statement from either party, any connection remains speculative. This is an area where public sources are silent.

Is Griff Rhys Jones teetotal?

Drinking habits and public statements

Griff Rhys Jones has spoken openly about reducing his alcohol intake but has never claimed to be a lifelong teetotaler. In a 2017 interview he said he “doesn’t drink much these days” but acknowledged having drunk in the past. The pattern is moderation, not abstention.

What was Mel Smith’s illness?

Mel Smith’s health issues

Mel Smith died on 19 July 2013 at the age of 60. The cause of death was a heart attack, according to reports from his family and the BBC. Smith had previously been diagnosed with diabetes and had undergone heart surgery in 2008 (Evening Standard).

Cause of death

The coroner confirmed acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) as the cause. Smith’s health struggles were known within his circle but rarely discussed publicly.

What is Griff Rhys Jones’s net worth?

Estimated net worth

Public estimates place Griff Rhys Jones’s net worth between $5 million and $10 million. The bulk of his wealth comes from his television career and the sale of TalkBack Productions. In 1999, TalkBack was sold to Chrysalis for £62 million (Evening Standard).

Sources of income

• Television acting and presenting fees
• Book royalties (several published titles)
• TalkBack sale proceeds
• Live performance tours
• Documentary production through Modern Television (founded 2005, per Simple English Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Timeline of key events

• 1953 – Born in Cardiff, Wales (IMDb)
• 1979–1982 – Cast in Not the Nine O’Clock News alongside Mel Smith (BFI Screenonline)
• 1984 – Co-stars in Alas Smith & Jones
• 1980s – Co-founds TalkBack Productions (Evening Standard)
• 2000s – Shifts to presenting travel and restoration shows (Restoration, Mountain)
• 2004 – Appointed OBE (Anglia Ruskin University)
• 2013 – Mel Smith dies of heart attack
• 2020s – Continues live shows and writing; president of Civic Voice

Quotes from Griff Rhys Jones and contemporaries

“Mel Smith and I were no match made in heaven.”

– Griff Rhys Jones, on the partnership with Mel Smith

Rhys Jones has also stated that he “doesn’t drink much these days” but has “had his share” in the past, reflecting a pattern of moderation rather than full abstention.

For fans of British comedy, the legacy of Griff Rhys Jones is clear: he helped define an era of satire and continues to champion the built environment. The challenge for future biographers will be separating the performer from the preservationist—and that tension itself may be his most lasting contribution. Rhys Jones’s career, from Simon Brodkin contemporaries to his own Welsh comedy roots shared with figures like Mike Bubbins, shows how satire and heritage can coexist in one public figure.

For a more detailed look at his early years and rise to fame, you can read about Griff Rhys Joness life and career on another site.

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