Ioan Gruffudd

Ioan Gruffudd (; (born 6 October 1973) is a Welsh actor. He first came to public attention as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in ''Titanic'' (1997), and then for his portrayal of Horatio Hornblower in the '' Hornblower'' series of television films (1998–2003). Subsequent roles have included Lancelot in ''King Arthur'' (2004), Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in '' Fantastic Four'' (2005) and its 2007 sequel, William Wilberforce in ''Amazing Grace'' (2006), and Tony Blair in '' W.'' (2008).

His other film credits include '' 102 Dalmatians'' (2000), '' Black Hawk Down'' (2001), '' The Gathering'' (2003), ''Fireflies in the Garden'' (2008), ''The Secret of Moonacre'' (2008), '' Sanctum'', ''Horrible Bosses'', '' Foster'' (all 2011), '' The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box'' (2014), and '' San Andreas'' (2015).

On television, Gruffudd has starred in the CW series '' Ringer'' (2011–2012), the ABC drama ''Forever'' (2014–2015), the Lifetime series ''UnReal'' (2016), Sundance/ITV's '' Liar'' (2017–2020), and the Australian series '' Harrow'' (2018–present).

Early life and education

Gruffudd was born on 6 October 1973 in Aberdare, the eldest of three brothers. His parents, Gillian (née James) and Peter Griffiths (Ioan uses Gruffudd, the more traditional Welsh version of the surname), were both teachers.

His father was headmaster at two Welsh-language comprehensive schools in South Wales, first at Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari (in Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf) then later at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen (in Rhydfelin). He has a brother, Alun, two years younger, and a sister, Siwan, who is seven years his junior. The Gruffudd siblings were raised in a Protestant non-conformist household.

During his childhood, his family moved to Cardiff. Gruffudd attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar (Ynyslwyd; now located in Cwmdare), Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd (in Whitchurch, Cardiff), and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (in Llandaff North).

He was an accomplished oboist in his teens, achieving a Grade 8 level in the ABRSM music examinations and playing in the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra for several years, but gave it up once acting took up most of his time. He 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."

Gruffudd's parents are committed Christians, and in his early 20s he was a member of the London Church of Christ, but his mother later came to London to "sort ishead out". In June 2007, he said that he "wouldn't describe myself as a deeply religious man".

Career

Gruffudd started his acting career at the age of 13 in a Welsh television film, ''Austin'' (1986), and later moved on to the Welsh language soap opera ''Pobol y Cwm'' (''People of the Valley'') from 1987 to 1994. He also played football with the ''Pobol y Cwm'' football team ''Cwmderi FC'' alongside co-stars Hywel Emrys, Gwyn Elfyn and Ieuan Rhys. During this time, he was also active on stage, in-school performances, and in the 1991 Urdd Eisteddfod production of ''Cwlwm''.

In 1992, aged 18, he began attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. However, he was only given small parts in the academy's productions, and feeling isolated and directionless, almost dropped out several times. However, in 1995 in his final year, he was cast in Ibsen's ''Hedda Gabler'' as George (Jörgen) Tesman, the husband of Hedda, the lead character. This performance led to his being offered the role of Jeremy Poldark in the 1996 TV remake of ''Poldark''.

After playing Oscar Wilde's lover John Gray in 1997's ''Wilde'' he took a role as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in James Cameron's film ''Titanic''. He later landed the role of Horatio Hornblower in '' Hornblower'', the Meridian production of the C. S. Forester novels (1998–2003), shown on ITV and A&E. He has said: "It was quite something for an unknown actor to get the lead. So I will always be grateful to 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."

His television work includes playing the character Pip in the BBC
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