Ioan Gruffudd | |
|---|---|
 Gruffudd at 2011Comic-Con International | |
| Born | (1973-10-06)6 October 1973 (age 52) |
| Citizenship |
|
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse | [1] |
| Children | 2 |
Ioan Gruffudd (Welsh:[ˈjɔanˈɡrɪfɪð]ⓘ;/ˈjoʊɑːnˈɡrɪfɪθ/; born 6 October 1973) is a Welsh actor. He is known for his roles in film and television series in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
Gruffudd became known for his portrayal ofHarold Lowe inTitanic (1997), and asHoratio Hornblower in theHornblower series of television films (1998–2003). His subsequent roles have includedLancelot inKing Arthur (2004),Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic inFantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequelFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,William Wilberforce inAmazing Grace (2006),Tony Blair inW. (2008), and Adam Lockwood inBad Boys: Ride or Die (2024).
Gruffudd was born on 6 October 1973 inAberdare,[2] the eldest of three siblings. His parents, Gillian (née James) and Peter Griffiths (Ioan usesGruffudd, the more traditional Welsh version of the surname[citation needed]), were both teachers.[3]
His father was headmaster at twoWelsh-language comprehensive schools in South Wales, first atYsgol Gyfun Llanhari (inLlanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf) then later atYsgol Gyfun Rhydfelen (inRhydfelin). Gruffudd was raised in aNonconformist household.[4]
During his childhood, his family moved toCardiff.[5] Gruffudd attended three Welsh-medium schools: Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar (Ynyslwyd; now located inCwmdare), Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd (inWhitchurch, Cardiff), andYsgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (inLlandaff North).
He was an accomplishedoboist in his teens,[6] achieving a Grade 8 level in theABRSM music examinations[7] and playing in the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra for several years,[8] but gave it up once acting took up most of his time. He won prizes for his highbaritone singing while at school, including one at theNational Eisteddfod.[7] 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."[9]
Gruffudd's parents are committed Christians, and in his early 20s he was a member of theLondon Church of Christ, but his mother later came to London to "sort [his] head out".[10]
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Gruffudd's acting career began at the age of 13 with the Welsh television film,Austin (1986), followed by appearing in the Welsh language soap operaPobol y Cwm (People of the Valley) from 1987 to 1994. He also played football with thePobol y Cwm football teamCwmderi FC alongside co-stars Hywel Emrys, Gwyn Elfyn, andIeuan Rhys. During this time, he was also active on stage, in school performances, and in the 1991Urdd Eisteddfod production ofCwlwm.[11]
In 1992, aged 18, he began attending theRoyal 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. But in 1995, while in his final year, he was cast inIbsen'sHedda Gabler as George (Jørgen) Tesman, the husband of Hedda, the lead character. This performance led to his being offered the role ofJeremy Poldark in the 1996 TV remake ofPoldark.[6][12]
After playingOscar Wilde's loverJohn Gray in 1997'sWilde he took a role as Fifth OfficerHarold Lowe inJames Cameron's filmTitanic. He later landed the role ofHoratio Hornblower inHornblower, theMeridian production of theC. S. Forester novels (1998–2003), shown onITV andA&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."[9]
His television work includes playing the character Pip in theBBC TV production ofCharles Dickens'Great Expectations (1999), Lt. John Feeley inBBC One'sWarriors (1999) and architect Philip Bosinney inITV's adaptation ofThe Forsyte Saga (2002). He has starred in the films102 Dalmatians (2000),Black Hawk Down (2001) andKing Arthur (2004).
Gruffudd, a nativeWelsh speaker, was inducted into theGorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain (the Bardic Order of Great Britain) at the highest rank of Druid in the National Eisteddfod atMeifod, mid-Wales, on 4 August 2003, with thebardic name "Ioan".[3][13]
In 2007, he starred in the historical dramaAmazing Grace asWilliam Wilberforce, the British abolitionist, receiving critical acclaim for the role. Gruffudd has also portrayed characters of bothMarvel Comics andDC Comics, having appeared asReed Richards / Mister Fantastic in Marvel'sFantastic Four (2005) andFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and guest starred as the voice ofMister Miracle in DC'sJustice League Unlimited (2005).
In 2008, he appeared in theJulia Roberts-Ryan Reynolds film,Fireflies in the Garden. In 2008, he also appeared inThe Secret of Moonacre. In 2009, he starred alongsideJosh Brolin inW., a biopic about the life ofUS PresidentGeorge W Bush, in which Gruffudd playedTony Blair.[14] In 2011, he played the financier of a cave dive inSanctum.
In July 2008, he featured in a promotional trailer in Welsh forBBC Wales, alongside fellow WelshmenMatthew Rhys andGethin Jones, publicising BBC coverage of the 2008National Eisteddfod of Wales in Cardiff.[15] In early 2014, Gruffudd was among the stars of Wales in a short film from the BBC to mark the centenary of the birth of Welsh poetDylan Thomas.[16]
Gruffudd débuted his new male lead of Andrew Earlham, a respected surgeon and widowed father of a teenage son, on 11 September 2017, inITV's new 6-part thriller miniseries,Liar. Earlham's world—personally and professionally—is torn asunder when his son's schoolteacher, Laura Neilson (Joanne Froggatt) accuses him of raping her after their first date, the details of which she cannot remember.Liar also began airing in the US onSundanceTV on 25 September 2017.
In 2018, Gruffudd was cast as forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Harrow in the Australian TV showHarrow airing on theABC.[17] The show is set and filmed in Brisbane and focuses on Gruffudd's character Harrow - a forensic pathologist with a total disregard for authority, and an unfailing empathy for the dead which helps him to solve bizarre cases.[17] The series was a ratings hit in Australia and overseas, the show ran for three seasons, ending in 2020.[18][19]
Apart from television and film work, he starred in the music video ofWestlife's version of "Uptown Girl" (2001) alongsideClaudia Schiffer. On 7 July 2007 he was a presenter at theUK leg ofLive Earth atWembley Stadium, London.[20]
His other film credits include102 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), andSan Andreas (2015).
On television, Gruffudd has starred in theCW seriesRinger (2011–2012), theABC dramaForever (2014–2015), theLifetime seriesUnREAL (2016),Sundance/ITV'sLiar (2017–2020), andHarrow (2018–2021).
Gruffudd metAlice Evans in 1999 during the production of102 Dalmatians. They moved to Los Angeles together in 2003.[21] On 14 September 2007, they married in Mexico.[22] Hisbest man was fellow Welsh actorMatthew Rhys, a long-time friend. Both are patrons ofTrust PA, a UK spinal injuries charity.[23] Evans and Gruffudd have two daughters, born in 2009 and 2013.[24]
In an interview in 2020, Gruffudd said that working away from home meant that he and his wife had struggled to spend time with each other in the previous four years.[25] Evans announced the couple's separation in January 2021.[26] On 1 March 2021, Gruffudd filed for divorce.[27] On 14 February 2022, Gruffudd filed for adomestic violencerestraining order against Evans. This included protection of his girlfriend Bianca Wallace.[28] On 2 August 2022, Gruffudd was granted a three-year permanent domestic violence restraining order against Evans.[29]
In 2024, Gruffudd confirmed that he was engaged to Bianca Wallace. The couple had confirmed their relationship in 2021.[30][31] They married in April 2025.[32] In June 2025, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together.[33]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Fantastic Four | Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic | Based on the film of the same name[34] |
| 2012 | Diablo III | Necromancer (male) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Austin | Dafydd | |
| 1987–1994 | Pobol y Cwm | Gareth Wyn Harries | |
| 1996 | Poldark | Jeremy Poldark | |
| 1998 | Hornblower:The Even Chance | MidshipmanHoratio Hornblower | |
| Hornblower:The Examination for Lieutenant | Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower | ||
| 1999 | Warriors | Lt. John Feeley | |
| Hornblower:The Duchess and the Devil | Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower | ||
| Hornblower:The Frogs and the Lobsters | Lt. Horatio Hornblower | ||
| Great Expectations | Pip | ||
| 2002 | Hornblower:Mutiny | 3rd Lt. Horatio Hornblower | |
| Hornblower:Retribution | 3rd Lt. Horatio Hornblower | ||
| Man and Boy | Harry Silver | ||
| The Forsyte Saga | Phillip Bosinney | ||
| 2003 | Hornblower:Loyalty | Commander Horatio Hornblower | |
| Hornblower:Duty | Commander Horatio Hornblower | ||
| 2004 | Century City | Lukas Gold | |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Mister Miracle (voice) | Episode: "The Ties That Bind"[34] |
| 2008 | The Meant to Be's | The Man | |
| 2010 | Ben 10: Alien Force | Devin Levin (voice) | Episode: "Vendetta" |
| Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Blue Beetle Scarab (voice) | Episode: "Revenge of the Reach!"[34] | |
| 2011–2012 | Ringer | Andrew Martin | |
| 2012 | Family Guy | Prince Charles (voice) | Episode: "Family Guy Viewer Mail #2" |
| The British | Narrator | ||
| 2013 | Monday Mornings | Dr. Stewart Delaney | Guest role |
| Castle | Erik Vaughn | Episode: "The Squab and the Quail" | |
| Necessary Roughness | Nolan Powers | Guest role | |
| Glee | Paolo San Pablo | 2 episodes | |
| 2014–2015 | Forever | Dr. Henry Morgan | Lead, 22 episodes |
| 2016 | UnReal | John Booth | Guest role |
| 2017–2020 | Liar | Andrew Earlham | Lead, 12 episodes |
| 2018–2021 | Harrow | Dr. Daniel Harrow | Lead role |
| 2022 | The Reunion | Thomas Degalais | Lead role |
| 2025 | Elsbeth | Angus Oliphant-Donnachaidh | Episode: "Tiny Town" |
| Year | Title | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hedda Gabler | London (RADA) | George (Jörgen) Tesman |
| Trouble Sleeping[35][36] | National Theatre Studio, London | Unknown | |
| The Decameron[37][36] | Gate Theatre,Notting Hill, London | Unknown | |
| 2001 | The Play What I Wrote | Wyndham's Theatre, London | Mystery Guest |
| Year | Title | Performer | Album | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Uptown Girl" | Westlife | World of Our Own | [38] |
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