Personal details
- Birth Date: 1967-07-22
- Height: 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
- Birth Location: Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
- Parents: Eirwyn Evans
- Professions: Actor, Producer, Soundtrack
Rhys Ifans hails from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales—a proper Welsh upbringing, honestly. Both his parents taught for a living, so you can imagine the pressure to behave (or rebel). He picked up his education at Welsh language schools, Ysgol Pentrecelyn (where his mum ran the show) and Ysgol Maes Garmon. Pretty early on, he caught the acting bug, joining a youth acting school before heading off to the big city, training at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Not exactly a straight shot, but hey, who’s is? Before he was popping up in Hollywood, Ifans actually started on Welsh TV, hosting a kids’ show called Stwnsh. Not exactly glamorous, but you’ve gotta start somewhere, right? He bounced around theatre and Welsh telly for a bit, really cutting his teeth. Then came Twin Town in ‘97—a wild ride of a British film where he acted alongside his brother, Llyr Ifans. That one sort of blew the doors open for him. Notting Hill? Yeah, that was him—the scruffy, unforgettable roommate opposite Hugh Grant. From there, his film credits just kept stacking up: Dancing at Lughnasa, Little Nicky (you know, the Adam Sandler one), Enduring Love, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, even popping up in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, before swinging into The Amazing Spider-Man as Dr. Curt Connors. He’s not just the funny sidekick, either—he took on Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always, snagging an Emmy nomination and actually winning a BAFTA for Best Actor. Not too shabby for a Welsh kid who started on children’s TV, yeah?
You ever try pronouncing Rhys Ifans’ name and totally butcher it? Yeah, it’s “Reese Ee-vans,” not “Rice” or anything weird like that. Trust me, Brits and Welsh folks probably roll their eyes every time someone messes it up. The guy’s got one of those faces you recognize instantly, but his name trips people up, kinda like when you realize Joaquin Phoenix isn’t pronounced as it looks. Ifans has popped up in a ton of flicks—Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man, Harry Potter, you name it—and somehow, people still stumble over his name at award shows. Wild, right? I mean, he’s not exactly hiding in the background! Next time you bring him up, just casually drop the correct pronunciation and watch your friends look at you like you’re some kind of movie genius. Honestly, it’s one of those Hollywood tidbits that makes you feel weirdly superior at pub trivia.
I’m just a workhorse on set, honestly. Show up, know my lines, hit my mark. That’s the gig. You won’t catch me huddling with other actors, all misty-eyed, chatting endlessly about the “craft” or whatever. Nah, that’s not for me. If I’ve got extra time? I’m down at the pub, pint in hand, soaking in the noise and the chaos. Funny thing—people think the magic of acting’s all about tortured souls and late-night rehearsals. But for me, the real sparks, the ideas that actually stick, they show up when you’re three drinks deep, laughing your head off at some ridiculous story. The pub’s criminally underrated for that stuff. It’s practically a laboratory for creativity, packed with characters you couldn’t dream up even if you tried. Forget the drama classes—give me a crowded bar and some good banter any day. That’s where the inspiration lives.
July 22, 1967
6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
Eirwyn Evans and Surekha
58 years old