Rhys Ifans's Real Name: Rhys Ifans

Quick answer: Rhys Ifans's real name is Rhys Ifans. He is a Welsh actor, born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, later known for playing Spike in Notting Hill. BBC Wales dates the birth to July 22, 1968; other wording in the sources used here is not identical on the year.

Real name and early life

He is known professionally as Rhys Ifans. Independent publishers used here record that public name rather than a longer legal form confirmed by two sources, so the public name is used in the title. BBC Wales, in a biography last updated October 7, 2010, says he was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on 22 July 1968, that his father, Eurwyn Evans, was a primary school teacher, and that he grew up in Ruthin. It says he later claimed he adopted the Welsh spelling of his surname at the age of 13 "just to be difficult." BBC America, in a July 21, 2022, piece, independently marks his birthday as July 22 and says he was turning 55 the next day, wording that would imply 1967 rather than 1968. The Guardian, in an October 5, 2010, interview, quotes him saying "now I'm 42," which is compatible with BBC Wales's 1968 date. This page records those wordings rather than choosing a single year.

BBC Wales says he attended Ysgol Maes Garmon, took acting classes at Theatr Clwyd, presented the children's quiz Sdwnsh on S4C after leaving school, and moved to London at 18 to study acting, later appearing with the National Theatre. BBC America independently says he grew up bilingual, speaking English and Welsh fluently.

Career highlights

BBC Wales says his profile rose after he co-starred with his brother Llŷr Evans in the 1997 film Twin Town, and that his mainstream break came as Hugh Grant's flatmate Spike in Notting Hill (1999). BBC America independently highlights that role as Spike. The Guardian, in the 2010 interview, independently identifies the same breakthrough role but dates Notting Hill to 1994. This page records BBC Wales's 1999 date and The Guardian's 1994 wording rather than treating them as the same year.

BBC Wales lists later credits including the television film Not Only But Always (2004), as Peter Cook, which it says won him a BAFTA. BBC America independently notes a later role as Xenophilius Lovegood in a Harry Potter film. BBC Wales also says he was briefly the frontman for an early incarnation of Super Furry Animals.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Rhys Ifans are looking for the Welsh actor described here.