Rhys Ifans

Rhys Ifans IPA: [r̥ɨːs 'ivans] (approximately "hris EEvans") (born 22 July 1968) is a Welsh actor.

Biography

Early life

Ifans was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales to Beti and Eirwyn Evans, both of whom were teachers. He has adopted the Welsh spelling of his surname. Ifans grew up in Ruthin, in North Wales,^[1] and attended Ysgol Maes Garmon, a Welsh language secondary school in Mold, Flintshire, where he sat his O levels and A levels. He also attended youth acting schools at Theatr Clwyd, Mold. His first language is Welsh and he says that he began using the Welsh spelling of his surname, "just to be difficult". His brother, Llŷr Evans, is also an actor. They starred together in the Welsh produced film, Twin Town.

Career

Ifans has appeared in many Welsh language television programmes before embarking on his film career, as well as performing at the Royal National Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. He was briefly lead vocalist of the rock band Super Furry Animals before they found national success. His film roles include: Eyeball Paul in Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000), Nigel in The Replacements (2000), Iki in The 51st State (2001) and William Dobbin in Vanity Fair (2004). He also played Jed Parry in the film version of Ian McEwan's Enduring Love (film) and the lead role in Danny Deckchair (2003) as Danny Morgan.

In 2005, Ifans picked up a Bafta for his portrayal as Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always. He also made a guest appearance for the rock band Oasis in the video for their single The Importance Of Being Idle for which he accepted their award for Video Of the Year at the 2005/2006 NME Awards. Rhys also makes a cameo appearance in the music video "Mama Told Me Not To Come" by Tom Jones and the Stereophonics.

He is best known to American viewers as "Adrian", the pompous, arrogant, eldest brother from Little Nicky, as well as his "breakout" role as Spike in Notting Hill (1999).

Footnotes

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