Famous Welsh Men
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Hasn’t life been easier with web/mobile app shopping? Who do you think you need to thank it for - your dealer, the website, the application, your phone or your internet connection? All of those but most importantly Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones for had it not been for this Welsh man, the mail order business that is thriving so well today wouldn’t have been possible. It was Pryce-Jones who gave the world the bliss of virtual shopping! And this is not just it for Welsh men are responsible for a lot more.
Vote for Your Favourite Welsh Men
1
Gareth Bale(Welsh Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Winger)
Birthdate: July 16, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cardiff, Wales
The charismatic Welsh footballer player, Gareth Frank Bale played for Southampton football club and Tottenham Hotspur extensively before joining Real Madrid in 2013 for a fees that exceeded Christiano Ronaldo’s earlier record fee. Known for his speed and accuracy, Gareth Bales is also the captain of Wales national team and plays for Tottenham Hotspur, on loan from Real Madrid.
2
Anthony Hopkins(Known for His Role as ‘Hannibal Lector’ in Jonathan Demme's ‘The Silence of the Lambs’)
Birthdate: December 31, 1937
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Margam, Wales, United Kingdom
Highly renowned Welsh actor, Anthony Hopkins is best known for his portrayal of a cannibalistic serial killer in the movie The Silence of the Lambs. The portrayal earned him prestigious awards and also a place in the list of best villains of all time. Other notable films of the celebrated character actor include Remains of the Day, Nixon and Amistad.
Birthdate: September 13, 1916
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales
Died: November 23, 1990
British writer, Roald Dahl, is considered as one of the greatest children’s authors. He is one of the best-selling authors of all-time and had a career spanning decades. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, The Twits and Matilda are some of his classic works. He also wrote short stories and novels meant for adults.
Birthdate: June 7, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Treforest, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales
Tom Jones is a Welsh singer who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. His life and work inspired the 2016 musical, Tom: A Story of Tom Jones. In 2005, for his services to music, Tom Jones was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Birthdate: November 10, 1925
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Pontrhydyfen, Wales
Died: August 5, 1984
Richard Burton is remembered for his tumultuous affair with Elizabeth Taylor, whom he married and divorced twice. The Burton-Taylor duo is also known for their hits Cleopatra and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? A seasoned Shakespearean actor, Burton was known for his baritone voice. He became an alcoholic later.
6
Ryan Giggs(Welsh Football Coach and Former Player)
Birthdate: November 29, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Canton, Cardiff, Wales
Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs has had a successful 24-year stint with Manchester United as a senior player and has also served as their interim coach. He has won 13 Premier League titles with the club and was the first player with two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
Birthdate: May 18, 1872
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Trellech, Monmouthshire, Wales
Died: February 2, 1970
Bertrand Russell was a British polymath and Nobel laureate. His work, which is spread across various fields, has had a considerable influence on philosophy, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, linguistics, and logic. Russell is also credited with leading the revolt against idealism in Britain and is regarded as one of the founders of analytic philosophy.
8
Taron Egerton(Welsh Actor Known for His Role as Singer ‘Elton John’ in the Film ‘Rocketman’)
Birthdate: November 10, 1989
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Birkenhead, Merseyside, England
An award-winning actor, Taron Egerton is popular for playing real-life icons in biopics, such as Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman. Also known for his singing abilities, Egerton has appeared in a couple of music videos as well. Taron Egerton does not shy away from voicing his opinion on sensitive topics like misogyny and is a supporter of the LGBT community.
Birthdate: February 5, 1969
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales
Michael Sheen is a Welsh actor and started his career as a theatre artist. He rose to fame in the 2000s as a screen actor after working in various biographical films. He starred in television films like The Deal, The Queen and The Special Relationship. Some of his notable films are The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Midnight in Paris.
10
Tom Ellis(Welsh Actor Known for His Role as ‘Lucifer Morningstar’ in the TV Series ‘Lucifer’)
Birthdate: November 17, 1978
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cardiff, Wales
Tom Ellis is a Welsh actor, who gained international prominence after he started playing Lucifer Morningstar in the American DC Comics-based series Lucifer. An alumnus of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he began his career with a role in a BBC TV show. He eventually began appearing in American TV shows and films as well.
Birthdate: April 15, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pontypool, Wales
Luke Evans is one of the most successful and popular actors from Wales. Also a decent singer, he released his debut studio album, At Last, in 2019; he studied music under the tutelage of an established singing coach named Louise Ryan. Since he is openly gay, Luke Evans serves as an inspiration to the gay community around the world.
Birthdate: February 1, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, Wales
Died: January 21, 2020
Starting his career as a comedy writer, actor-director Terry Jones later soared to fame as part of the Monty Python comedy team. An avid historian, too, he wrote several books and presented TV documentaries on the topic. In his later years, the BAFTA Cymru award winner struggled with dementia.
13
John Rhys-Davies( Best Known for Portraying 'Sallah' in the 'Indiana Jones' Movies)
Birthdate: May 5, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
John Rhys-Davies is best known as Gimli and the voice of Treebeard from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is also known for voicing Cassim in Aladdin and the King of Thieves. His other notable projects include Shōgun, Sliders, and the James Bond film The Living Daylights.
Birthdate: June 1, 1947
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Carmel, Flintshire
Jonathan Pryce is one of the most popular Welsh actors of all time. Renowned for his versatility, Pryce has contributed immensely across all the three major acting mediums: movies, television and theatre. Best known for his work in theatre, Pryce is a two-time winner of the prestigious Tony Award. In the 2009 Birthday Honours, Jonathan Pryce was appointed a CBE for services to drama.
Birthdate: October 27, 1914
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Swansea
Died: November 9, 1953
Dylan Thomas was a Welsh writer and poet who published popular poems, such as Do not go gentle into that good night, which was popularized in the 2014 movie, Interstellar, where Michael Caine's character recites the poem throughout the film. Dylan Thomas achieved tremendous popularity during his lifetime and remains popular after his untimely death at the age of 39.
Birthdate: October 6, 1973
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Wales
Ioan Gruffudd is a Welsh actor known for playing important roles in popular American films, such as 102 Dalmatians, Black Hawk Down, and San Andreas. An accomplished oboist and singer during his teenage years, Ioan Gruffudd gave up music in order to focus on his career as an actor.
17
Rhys Ifans
(Actor Who Played the Role of the Sly Lizard Villain Dr. Curt Connors in the 'Amazing Spider-Man')
Birthdate: July 22, 1967
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
18
Joe Calzaghe
(Welsh Former Professional Boxer)
Birthdate: March 23, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London, England
Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe scripted history as the longest-reigning champion ever in boxing, having defended the WBO title for more than a decade. Excelling in both super-middleweight and light-heavyweight categories, he had registered 46 wins in 46 fights by the time he retired. He now owns a boxing promotion company.
19
Aaron Ramsey
(Welsh Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Birthdate: December 26, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Caerphilly, Wales
20
Andy Whitfield(Best Known for His Role in the TV Series ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’)
Birthdate: October 17, 1971
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Amlwch, Anglesey, Wales
Died: September 11, 2011
Welsh actor, Andy Whitfield, gained international fame for his leading role in the Starz television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. A qualified engineer, he quit his corporate job to act in TV shows. He became popular within a few years and began acting in films as well. Tragically, he became ill with cancer and died at the age of 39.
Birthdate: January 17, 1863
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chorlton-on-Medlock
Died: March 26, 1945
David Lloyd George, or the 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, was the British prime minister from 1916 to 1922 and the first Welsh to hold the position. Though he was a Liberal, he was initially supported by the Conservatives. He was a key figure in the Paris Peace Conference.
22
John Cale
(Welsh Musician, Composer and Founding Member of the American Rock Band 'The Velvet Underground')
Birthdate: March 9, 1942
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Garnant, Wales
Experimental musician John Cale is best known as the co-founder of the rock band The Velvet Underground. The son of a coal miner father, he later developed a love for music that earned him a scholarship to the University of London. Prescribed opiates for his bronchial issues, he later struggled with addiction.
23
Aneurin Barnard(Welsh Actor and Musician Known for His Roles in the Films: ‘Hunky Dory’ and ‘The Truth About Emanuel’)
Birthdate: May 8, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bridgend, Wales
Born to a factory worker and a coal miner, Aneurin Barnard began gaining recognition with roles in series such as Jacob's Ladder. His performance as Melchior Gabor in the musical Spring Awakening won him the Laurence Olivier Award. His portrayal of Richard III in The White Queen was also appreciated.
24
Iwan Rheon
(Actor Best Known for His Roles in the TV Series: 'Misfits' and 'Game of Thrones')
Birthdate: May 13, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Carmarthen, Dyfed, Wales
Best known to audiences as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones and as Simon Bellamy in Misfits, Iwan Rheon is also an Olivier Award-winning stage actor. A talented singer, too, he was previously the lead vocalist of The Convictions and has also performed with his brother in the single Rhodd.
25
Mark Hughes
(Welsh Football Coach and Former Player)
Birthdate: November 1, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Wrexham, Wales
Birthdate: July 17, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Aberystwyth, Wales
Thomas Cullen soared to fame with his role in the series Downton Abbey. Fans also loved him as Sir Landry in the series Knightfall. He delivered an award-winning debut performance in the film Weekend. He co-founded the company Undeb Theatre and has also directed the film Pink Wall.
27
Ray Milland(Actor and Director Best Known for His Films: ‘The Lost Weekend’ and ‘Reap the Wild Wind’)
Birthdate: January 3, 1907
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Neath, Glamorgan, Wales
Died: March 10, 1986
Welsh-American actor-director Ray Milland is best remembered for his Oscar-winning role of Don Birnam in The Lost Weekend. Fans also loved him in films such as Dial M for Murder and The Jungle Princess. He was previously part of the British Army’s Household Cavalry, as a marksman, pilot, and horseman.
28
Richey Edwards
(Lyricist and Rhythm Guitarist of the Alternative Rock Band Manic Street Preachers)
Birthdate: December 22, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Blackwood, Wales
Died: February 1, 1995
Birthdate: May 17, 1958
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Stanleytown, Wales
30
Desmond Llewelyn(Welsh Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Q’ in James Bond Films)
Birthdate: September 12, 1914
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Newport, Wales Newport, Wales
Died: December 19, 1999
Welsh actor, Desmond Llewelyn, is best known for his role as Q in many James Bond films over a span of four decades. Even though he originally wanted to be a minister, his interest shifted to acting while in high school. He served in the army during World War II and resumed his acting career afterward.
31
Matthew Rhys(Welsh Actor Known for His Role as ‘Kevin Walker’ in the TV Series ‘Brothers & Sisters’)
Birthdate: November 8, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cardiff, Wales
His work in two television dramas—as a KGB sleeper agent, Philip Jennings in The Americans and a gay lawyer, Kevin Walker in Brothers & Sisters—turned Welsh actor, Matthew Rhys Evans into a well-known name. Earlier, the Primetime Emmy Award winner actor studied at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and gained recognition with the movie, Titus.
Birthdate: September 17, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bangor
33
Owain Yeoman(Welsh Actor Known for His Role as CBI Agent ‘Wayne Rigsby’ in the TV Series ‘The Mentalist’)
Birthdate: July 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chepstow, Wales
Welsh actor Owain Yeoman is best known as Wayne Rigsby from The Mentalist, as Steven Daedalus from Kitchen Confidential, and as Lucas Dalton from The Nine. He has also appeared in films such as Troy and American Sniper. He is a supporter of PETA’s campaign for vegetarianism.
34
Craig Bellamy
(Association football player)
Birthdate: July 13, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cardiff
Birthdate: May 5, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
Died: July 10, 2015
36
Henry Morton Stanley(Welsh-American Explorer Who Was Famous for His Exploration of Central Africa and His Search for Missionary David Livingstone)
Birthdate: January 28, 1841
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales
Died: May 10, 1904
Henry Morton Stanley was a Welsh-American explorer, journalist, colonial administrator, soldier, politician, and author. He is remembered for his exploration of central Africa and his search for the source of the River Nile. Stanley received an honorary title of knighthood in 1899. His life and career inspired the 1939 movie Stanley and Livingstone, where Stanley was played by Spencer Tracy.
37
Chris Coleman
(association football player, association football manager)
Birthdate: June 10, 1970
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Swansea
38
Geraint Thomas
(Welsh Professional Racing Cyclist Who Won Two Olympic Gold Medals (2008 and 2012))
Birthdate: May 25, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cardiff, Wales
Welsh racing cyclist Geraint Thomas is a 2-time Olympic gold medal winner, apart from being a 3-time world champion and the 2018 Tour de France winner. Starting cycling at age 10, he is now an OBE and has also bagged numerous endorsement deals, such as the one with Continental Tyres.
Birthdate: 1359 AD
Birthplace: Sycharth, Wales
Died: 1415 AD
Legendary Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr was part of the last major Welsh attempt at overthrowing the English reign. With the help of local rebels, he declared himself the prince of Wales and even set up a parliament, ignoring Henry IV’s rule. He eventually disappeared and was presumed dead.
40
Tony Pulis(Welsh Football Manager and Former Footballer Who Played as a Defender)
Birthdate: January 16, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Newport, Wales
Tony Pulis is a Welsh former football player who played for teams like Bristol Rovers, AFC Bournemouth, and Newport County in a career that spanned 17 years. Pulis is better known for his career as a football manager, for which he was made an inductee to the LMA Hall of Fame.
Birthdate: November 30, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Wales, UK
Birthdate: May 11, 1927
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Port Talbot, England
Died: December 14, 2016
Birthdate: November 15, 1897
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tredegar, Wales
Died: July 6, 1960
Born into a working-class family, Aneurin Bevan quit school at 13 to start working at a colliery. He later won a scholarship to study in London and rose to become a Labour MP. He led the ministries of labor and health, and the left-wing of the Labour Party, the Bevanites.
44
Rhod Gilbert
(Welsh Comedian and Television & Radio Presenter)
Birthdate: October 18, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Carmarthen, Wales
Perrier Best Newcomer Award-nominated comedian Rhod Gilbert is also a writer and producer, known for his shows such as Rhod Gilbert vs. Kilimanjaro and Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience. Named to the list of the Top 50 Comedians by The Times, he is also an avid badminton player.
45
Gethin Jones
(Television Presenter)
Birthdate: February 12, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cardiff, Wales
46
Robert Owen(Welsh Philanthropist and a Founder of 'Utopian Socialism' and the 'Cooperative' Movement)
Birthdate: May 14, 1771
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales
Died: November 17, 1858
While working as an apprentice to a clothes manufacturer, Robert Owen often spent hours reading at his employer’s library. He later explored the textile industry and led a Manchester firm. Remembered as a pioneer of the co-operative movement and utopian socialism, he improved the working conditions of factory workers.
Birthdate: January 21, 1991
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bargoed, Wales
48
Pete Ham(Welsh Singer-Songwriter and Lead Vocalist for the 1970s Rock Band ‘Badfinger’)
Birthdate: April 27, 1947
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
Died: April 24, 1975
Welsh musician Pete Ham soared to fame as the lead singer and composer of the rock band Badfinger. Known for iconic hits such as No Matter What, he also co-wrote the classic Without You. After the band’s manager defrauded and vanished, Ham committed suicide by hanging himself in his garage.
Birthdate: November 24, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England, UK
50
David Kelly
(Welsh Scientist and Authority on Biological Warfare)
Birthdate: May 14, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Llwynypia, Glamorgan, Wales
Died: July 17, 2003
Have you ever wondered who actually gave mathematics the plus and equal and pi sign? Yes, it was yet again Welsh men – Robert Recorde and William Jones. And if you are fond of music, let us tell you that it was Welsh man David Edward Hughes who actually refined Edison’s idea of a microphone thus paving the way for the modern microphone. From actors to architects, entrepreneurs to explorers, models to monarchs, philanthropists to politicians, scientists to sportspeople, writers to inventors, Welsh men have greatly impacted the lives of people in the world. to know in details about the life and works of famous Welsh men, read further.