A supporting actor of British stage, television, and screen, Derek Griffiths is also a musician and composer. He started out in the latter field, studying clarinet at the London College of Music. Before launching his stage career, Griffiths taught drama and mime at the Inner London Education Authority. On stage, he is a frequent performer in various West End productions like The Black Mikado and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Griffiths launched his sporadic film career with Up Pompeii (1971).