Brothers and Sisters actor Matthew Rhys is fascinated by a fellow Welshman who left his mark on the city of Los Angeles.
Griffith Jenkins Griffith (1850 - 1919) gave his name to Griffith Park, home of the famous Hollywood sign, and left his fortune to the city in California.
But behind closed doors, Griffith was a complex character. We'll hear his incredible story in the documentary Mr Hollywood a Matthew Rhys, Wednesday night on S4C.
Griffith moved from Bettws, near Bridgend, to the USA in search of work and a new life. He travelled around the country to New York, Pennsylvania, San Francisco and LA, working as a journalist and making his fortune mining ore.
As Matthew finds out more about the dark and complex man, it becomes obvious that Griffith was fighting alcoholism. He spent time in prison for shooting his wife after wrongly accusing her of infidelity.
The gift was accepted and nowadays, Griffith Park is a haven of peace in the hurly-burly of the city and Welsh people living in Los Angeles enjoy relaxing there.
Matthew himself was attracted to the bright lights of Hollywood four years ago and is now a well-known face on drama series Brothers and Sisters, acting alongside Sally Field, Calista Flockhart and a host of other names.
"I often visit the park in LA which takes his name," explains Matthew. "His dream has been realised. Go to the park any weekend and you'll see a variety of people enjoying the gift this Welshman gave the city. He rose from nothing and made his fortune."
© 2012 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales