Ioan Gruffudd

Name: Ioan Gruffudd
Date of Birth: October 06, 1973
Place of Birth: Cardiff, Wales, UK

Mini-bio: Welsh Actor Ioan Gruffudd (Pronounced YO-an GRIFF-ith) was born in Cardiff, Wales, UK. His parents, Peter and Gillian Gruffudd, were educators.

He has a brother, Alun, who is two years younger and ...( read more)

Post it anywhere	Link it anywhere
<div style="font-size:11px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/ioan-gruffud"> <img src="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/67/09/23/6709236_tml.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Ioan Gruffudd" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/ioan-gruffud">Ioan Gruffudd</a></div>	<a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/ioan-gruffud">Ioan Gruffudd</a>

report missing or incorrect data

Skin this page.

Ioan Gruffudd Wiki Profile

Welcome to the Ioan Gruffudd wiki profile. This page is created by Flixster users like you with the help of friendly community Flixster Experts.

Adding your knowledge to this page is easy. Just click the "EasyEdit" button below. To become a Flixster Expert or find out more about the program, click here. And for general help on the wiki, click here.

No pages yet
Add a page

Ioan Gruffudd Biography Ioan Gruffudd Quotes Ioan Gruffudd Best Movies and Characters

EasyEdit

(What's this?)

Name: Ioan Gruffudd

Date of Birth: 6 October 1973, Cardiff, Wales, UK

flixster.actor.pane.162652780 - flixster

Ioan Mini-Bio:

Known to many as the inexperienced, yet heroic officer, Horatio Hornblower from the A&E miniseries, Welsh man Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced Yo-Awn Griffith) was born and raised in Cardiff. His parents, both teachers, brought up Gruffudd and his brother and sister speaking the Welsh language.The popular Welsh name "Ioan" is an equivalent of "John", and "Gruffudd" corresponds to the Anglicised "Griffith". He has been quoted as saying, "I'm determined not to lose my name. It's who I am. It has neither aided my progress nor hampered it. It's just who I am. My character... my make-up. My culture and heritage is a very rich one. So what if it's difficult for people to pronounce? We all learned how to say Schwarzenegger." A natural musician, he was an accomplished oboist in his teens, attaining a Grade 8 level in the ABRSM music examinations and playing for the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra for several years, but gave it up once acting took up most of his time. He also won prizes for his high baritone singing while at school, including one at the National Eisteddfod.He has said, "As a Welshman, I grew up in a culture of singing and performing with music, and I think it was through this performing that I got my confidence as an actor." But Gruffudd had dreams of playing rugby for Wales, or becoming an airline pilot. "Like many Welsh boys my dream was to play rugby for my country. But hopefully, through acting I can represent my country on an international stage, and fly the flag that way," he once stated. He was hooked by acting after landing a part in a Welsh language film when he was eleven. Two years later he won a role on a BBC soap opera, Pobol y Cwm (People of the Valley), a part which lasted for seven years.
Gruffudd left home at 18 to attend the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts in London and continued his studies from 1992 to 1995. Just days after finishing his course he was on a train back to Cardiff for a role in a BBC drama A Relative Stranger, starring Siobhan Redmond and Jason Isaacs. The actor had his first taste of the professional stage at London’s Gate Theatre and then won parts in two major feature films -- Titanic (1997) and Wilde (1997). In Titanic (1997), Gruffudd played Fifth Officer Lowe, who rescued survivors from the stricken ship. His Titanic (1997) role contrasted greatly to his role in Wilde (1997), in which he played John Gray, one of Oscar Wilde’s earlier lovers. At the age of 24, the actor landed the coveted lead role of C.S. Forester’s sea faring hero Horatio Hornblower."I was so lucky to have been offered the lead in a big series like this. Hornblower is such a complex character, and so well known to fans of C.S. Forester’s books that it was a terrific challenge for me," said Gruffudd at the time. The plucky young actor was determined not to miss out on a moment of the action, and insisted on doing all the stunts himself. This role catapulted him into stardom not only in England, but across the pond as well. Following Hornblower, he landed the lead in another literary classic, playing Pip in Tony Marchant’s adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectations. Gruffudd then joined an ensemble cast, playing Lt. John Feeley in Warriors (both for the BBC). Finally lead roles in features followed. He learned to speak Yiddish for the role of Solomon in the 1998 film Solomon And Gaenor (1999), put on an American accent as Lt. John Beales in Black Hawk Down (2001), and played Lancelot in the big budget American/British co-production King Arthur (2004). His biggest movie hit to date has been playing Reed Richards in Fantastic Four (2005), which grossed over $150 million at the domestic box office, and the sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).

Gruffudd currently lives with his wife, New Jersey-born British actress Alice Evans, in Los Angeles, California. The couple met during the production of 102 Dalmatians, and married on 14 September 2007 in Mexico. One of Gruffudd's best men and speechmakers at the wedding was fellow Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, his long-time friend and former flatmate of eight years. On 20 April 2009, Gruffudd and his wife announced they were expecting their first child together. On 6th September 2009, the couple welcomed their first child, a girl, named Ella Betsi Evans Gruffudd.
flixster.actor.pane.162652780 - flixster

VITAL STATS

Ioan Gruffudd Information:

Eye color: Brown

Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)

Nickname(s):

Notable feature(s):

Family: His parents Peter and Gillian, brother Alun, who is two years younger and a sister, Siwan, who is seven years younger, his wife Alice Evans and their daughter Ella Betsi Evans Gruffudd.

Resides in: Los Angeles

Religious affiliations: His parents are committed Christians, but he wouldn't describe himself as a deeply religious man.

Political affiliation:

Personal interests/hobbies:

Charities/Causes:

Other:

- Shared a flat in London with his best friend and fellow Welsh actor Matthew Rhys.
- He played the oboe in the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra for several years.
- He learned Yiddish for his role in the film Solomon and Gaenor (1999).
- His name is pronounced "Yo-wahn Griffith".
- Parents were teachers. Grandparents ran a local amateur drama society in Cardiff.
- Met his wife, actress Alice Evans, on the set of 102 Dalmatians (2000), although at the time she was romantically involved with Pablo Picasso's grandson, Olivier.
- On 6th September 2009, the couple welcomed their first child, a girl, named Ella Betsi Evans Gruffudd.
-Speaks Welsh, English, and learned Yiddish for his role in Solomon and Gaenor.
flixster.actor.pane.162652780 - flixster

Personal Quotes:

* The arses on the trousers aren't very tight. They're very loose and baggy and I like tight trousers. And the shoes - the shoes have got a bit of a heel, and it's a strange sensation for a man. Especially when you're running. He mimes a mincing trot. "I am mighty Hornblower! Watch me run like a girl!"

* [On Horatio Hornblower]: I think people are attracted to the character because he's not a hero in the traditional sense. He's not a natural leader, he's just a young man with a very bright mind. He's compassionate, he hates injustice and he will stand up and fight when he's pushed to the limit.

* As long as you understand that you find happiness through family, friends and love, then money is just a nice bonus.

* In the past, I have felt slightly pigeon-holed with the success of roles like Hornblower, all ruffled shirts and wonderful costumes. I think Launcelot was the turning point because he's more masculine, more dangerous, which goes hand in hand with me growing older. I want longevity, so I'm always trying to escape the way I'm perceived - you know, Ioan the soft-spoken Welshman.

* [When asked about continuing to portray Horatio Hornblower]: I would love to play this character through every stage of his life. I think it would be unique to have an actor playing him from the very early days as a midshipman; through till he's an Admiral. So, I would love to play this character till he perishes.

Last update: Friday, 12:41 PM EST by haylzb (content history | content tools) (help)

Keyword tags:

Ioan Gruffudd Biography Ioan Gruffudd Quotes Ioan Gruffudd Best Movies and Characters

Photos

Meet Other Fans

Comments

stefany2121

I loved your character in King Arthur.

posted 95 days ago
Sammynv2011

Wonderful actor with a great variety of characters. My favorites being Fantastic Four and Amazing Grace.

posted 129 days ago
oceanfaery7

amazing actor. Loved you in Hornblower

posted 517 days ago
orlandobloom2005

I loved your work in Titanic as 5th Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe and Sir Lancelot of Du Lac in King Arthur. I loved Amazing Grace and am trying to look for it on dvd for my mum's birthday. She loved it as did my father. Please continue making me smile and cry. I can't wait for your next projects. Keep it up!

posted 530 days ago
godlove4soul

I really like your movie from Amazing Grace continue the movie while you are making it because it's part of your career so please continue the career it's your job don't give up on the job what you have work for. I didn't see the Amazing Grace at the movie theather but i was looking at the clips it's really nice. I will buy soon the Amazing Grace at the store. I really like it so much. So please try to check my pages too if you would like too.

posted 620 days ago
godlove4soul

hi loan gruffudd's I really like your fantastic 4 movie and i hope you will be willing to continue the movie again for you and Jessica Alba for this movie. I really think that Fantastic 4 is a really good movie so that way i can see you And Jessica Alba kids on this movie so please continue This movie. I hope that this movie will find you a great heart for it because the movie i like is so good. for the Fantastic 4 that need to be continue on.I would reather see it again. I buy the one and the second movie that i brought it. I know you and Jessica Alba on the movie that are married and i really want to see this movie that you and Jessica Alba have kids or what? Take care god bless.

posted 620 days ago
AnOldFashionedGirl

I like his looks, and his proformance in the movie, " Amazing Grace," was astounding. I love his voice!

posted 684 days ago
LostWannabe

now that is one hot guy

posted 756 days ago
OneMoreWeekandover

I Think He Had A Small Part In Black Hawk Down

posted 816 days ago
steelerchik823

u r soooo cute!!!! love ya
♥

posted 821 days ago

More Top Actors

Ioan Gruffudd Movies

W. (PG-13, 2008)
The Secret of Moonacre (Unrated, 2008)
Fireflies in the Garden (R, 2008)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (PG, 2007)
The TV Set (R, 2007)
Amazing Grace (PG, 2007)
The Gathering (R, 2006)
Fantastic Four (PG-13, 2005)
This Girl's Life (R, 2004)
King Arthur (PG-13, 2004)

View All Ioan Gruffudd Movies

Actor Skins

Ioan Gruffudd Skins & Layouts

Submit a Skin | Skins Gallery

click to preview

Ioan Gruffudd
by Jules1st

6 profiles

Use on my profile!
click to preview

Default Skin
View with default skin

Ioan Gruffudd Trivia

In Jerry Bruckheimer's King Arthur, who starred as Lancelot alongside Clive Owen's Arthur? Answer »
In The Film "Titanic" Who Was The Welsh Actor that PLayed The Caller At Sea ?? Answer »
Who was the actor who played Lancelot in the movie King Arthur? Answer »
in what movies did Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd and Keira Knightly star in? Answer »

More Ioan Gruffudd Trivia