Nonni Griffin (born Margaret Griffin) was an accomplished actress, playwright, and director. Known as the prima donna of theatre and a woman of extraordinary beauty, she captivated audiences with her exceptional stage presence. Her performances stood out for their sensitivity and elegance, while her versatility allowed her to master various genres effortlessly. Learn more about the life and artistic journey of Nonni Griffin below, courtesy of torontoski.info.
Beginnings in Theatre
Nonni Griffin was born on October 20, 1933, in Toronto. She attended St. Margaret’s Convent School, where her love for performance began to blossom. After completing her education, she enrolled at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, studying drama and stagecraft.
At 16, Griffin began her acting career under the pseudonym Margaret Griffin, performing at the Red Barn Theatre. By 1951, she had joined the Canadian Repertory Theatre in Ottawa, and in 1953, she performed at the Toronto Jupiter Theatre and Peterborough Summer Theatre. That same year, her performance in Ring Around the Moon at the Royal Alexandra Theatre became a standout moment.
Griffin gained further recognition in 1953 with her role as Kate MacDonald, a young Scottish girl, in Lister Sinclair’s play The Blood Is Strong. Her talent for adopting various accents and portraying characters across different eras and styles set her apart, as seen in her work on the television series Stage.
Career Development
In 1957, Griffin appeared in the TV series Last of the Mohicans, followed by a role in the play The Boyfriend. She then moved to England to further her career, successfully auditioning at London’s Bristol Old Vic Theatre under John Hale. Griffin portrayed Luciana in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, which was later performed at the Baalbeck International Festival.
Griffin returned to Canada in 1961 and continued her work in film and theatre. In 1964, she adopted the stage name Nonni Griffin. Her contributions to the arts earned her multiple Andrew Allan Award nominations, including for her roles in Emily in Our Town (1983) and Blood Root (1984). In 1991, she played Constanze, Mozart’s wife, in the five-part series Ideas.
Despite her growing fame, Griffin remained dedicated to Canada’s film industry. She lent her voice to Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation and the Oscar-nominated short film Wild Life (2011). Griffin also played supporting roles in films such as Old Stock (2012) and Lindsay Mackay’s Wet Bum (2014). Between film roles, she stayed connected to the stage, which was her lifelong passion.
In 2004, Griffin created two plays, From Convent to Show Biz and Showbiz and Other Addictions. Her 2010 play, Annunciata’s Secret, showcased her range as she portrayed six different characters. In 2012, she brought the play to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
One of Griffin’s most celebrated works was Marilyn – After, a production exploring the life of Marilyn Monroe. For Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre Company in 2010, she directed the musical comedy The Flying Avro Arrow. Griffin’s plays were lauded for their engaging narratives, emotional depth, and ability to captivate audiences.
On June 7, 2019, Nonni Griffin passed away at 85 due to an aortic aneurysm. Her death came just before the debut of her play Before Scarlett, leaving fans unable to witness her latest masterpiece.
Nonni Griffin’s legacy lives on, cherished not only in Toronto but across the globe. Her voice, performances, and productions continue to inspire and entertain, ensuring her place as a timeless figure in the arts.