U.S. senator from 1943 to 1955 and 38th district California State Assembly member from 1936 to 1942. Head of the California Senate Factfinding Subcommittee on Un-American Activities ("Tenney Committee") and leader of anti-communist investigations.
Son of Griffith park founder Griffith Jenkins Griffith. President of the Los Angeles Park Board and was manager of the Griffith Park Transportation Company. Member of the Los Angeles Police Commission.