Ethel Griffies, born Ethel Woods (Sheffield, 26 April 1878 – London, 9 September 1975), was a British character actress whose career spanned over eighty years, making it one of the longest in the history of show business. She debuted on stage at a young age, establishing herself in both London's West End and on Broadway, before transitioning to film during the silent era and successfully continuing into the sound era. Specializing in portraying elderly characters, often eccentric or authoritarian, she left an indelible mark on numerous classic films. Among her most memorable roles are her part in *How Green Was My Valley* (1941) and, at an advanced age, her iconic portrayals of the ornithologist Mrs. Bundy in Alfred Hitchcock's *The Birds* (1963) and the grandmother in *Billy Liar* (1963). Her extraordinary artistic longevity, which allowed her to work until she was almost ninety, constitutes her main recognition and her greatest professional legacy in the world of cinema and theatre.