The Ioan Gruffudd Handbook - Everything you need to know about Ioan Gruffudd

Smith Emily

Description

Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he started off in Welsh language film productions, then came to international attention as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in the film Titanic (1997), and as Lt.

John Beales in Black Hawk Down (2001).

However, he is probably best known for playing the role of Horatio Hornblower in Hornblower, the British made-for-TV films (1998-2003) based on C.

S.

Forester's novels.
Gruffudd's recent notable film roles include Lancelot in King Arthur (2004), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) in Fantastic Four (2005) and the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and British slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce in Amazing Grace (2006).

He played Tony Blair in W.

(2008).

This book is your ultimate resource for Ioan Gruffudd. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, photos, and much more.

In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about her Early life, Career and Personal life right away. A quick look inside: Ioan Gruffudd, Titanic (1997 film), Solomon & Gaenor, 102 Dalmatians, Another Life (film), Very Annie Mary, Black Hawk Down (film), Shooters (2002 film), The Gathering (2002 film), This Girl's Life, King Arthur (film), Fantastic Four (film), Amazing Grace (2006 film), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Stories USA, Agent Crush, Fireflies in the Garden, The Secret of Moonacre, W. (film), The Kid (2010 film), Horrible Bosses, Sanctum (film), Foster (film), Pobol y Cwm, The Even Chance, Hornblower (TV series), Warriors (TV series), Great Expectations (1999 film), The Forsyte Saga (2002 miniseries), Century City (TV series), Ben 10: Alien Force, Ringer (TV series).

Sujets

• Biography
• Autobiography

Informations

• Publié par: Emereo Publishing
• Date de parution: 24 octobre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781743382158
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

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Contents

Articles Ioan Gruffudd Titanic (1997 film) Solomon & Gaenor 102 Dalmatians Another Life (film)

Very Annie Mary Black Hawk Down (film) Shooters (2002 film) The Gathering (2002 film) This Girl's Life King Arthur (film) Fantastic Four (film) Amazing Grace (2006 film) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Stories USA Agent Crush Fireflies in the Garden The Secret of Moonacre W. (film) The Kid (2010 film)

Horrible Bosses

Sanctum (film) Foster (film) Pobol y Cwm The Even Chance Hornblower (TV series) Warriors (TV series) Great Expectations (1999 film) The Forsyte Saga (2002 miniseries) Century City (TV series) Ben 10: Alien Force Ringer (TV series)

References

1 7 29 31 34 35 38 45 47 50 52 61 65 69 75 77 79 82 86 92 94 106 110 112 116 118 123 126 128 138 141 149

Article Sources and Contributors Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Article Licenses License

156 161

162

Ioan Gruffudd

Ioan Gruffudd

Born

Ioan Gruffudd

promotingFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 4 May 2007

Occupation

Years active

Spouse

6 October 1973 Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Cynon Valley, Wales

Actor

1986–present

Alice Evans (2007–present)

Ioan Gruffudd( Welsh pronunciation: [ˈjo.anˈɡrɪfɪa] (listen) ; born 6 October 1973) is a Welsh actor. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he started off in Welsh language film productions, then came to international attention as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in the filmTitanic(1997), and as Lt. John Beales inBlack Hawk Down(2001). However, he is probably best known for playing the role of Horatio Hornblower inHornblower, the British made-for-TV films (1998–2003) based on C. S. Forester's novels. Gruffudd's recent notable film roles include Lancelot inKing Arthur(2004), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) in Fantastic Four(2005) and the sequelFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer(2007), and British slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce inAmazing Grace(2006). He played Tony Blair inW.(2008).

Family, early life and education Gruffudd was born on 6 October 1973 in the village of Llwydcoed, near the town of Aberdare, Cynon Valley, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Tbf, southern Wales. Gruffudd's parents, Peter and Gillian (nce James) Griffiths, [1] were teachers. His father was headmaster at two Welsh comprehensive schools in South Wales, first at Ysgol [2] [3] Gyfun Llanhari then later at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen. He has two siblings; a brother, Alun, who is two years [4] younger, and a sister, Siwan, who is seven years younger than he is. Gruffudd was raised in a Protestant [5] non-conformist household. The popular Welsh name "Ioan" is an equivalent of "John", and "Gruffudd" corresponds to the Anglicised "Griffith". He has been quoted as saying, "I'm determined not to lose my name. It's who I am. It has neither aided my progress nor hampered it. It's just who I am. My character... my make-up. My culture and heritage is a very rich one. So what [6] if it's difficult for people to pronounce? We all learned how to say Schwarzenegger."

1

Ioan Gruffudd

[4] During his childhood, his family moved to Cardiff. Gruffudd attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar (Ynyslwyd) (now situated in Cwmdare), Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd, and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, where [7] he sat his GCSEs and A-Levels. A natural musician, he was an accomplished oboist in his teens, attaining a Grade [8] 8 level in the ABRSM music examinations and playing for the South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra for several [9] [10] years, but gave it up once acting took up most of his time. He also won prizes for his high baritone singing [8] 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 [11] actor." Gruffudd's parents are committed Christians, and in his early 20s, he was a member of the controversial London [12] Church of Christ, but his mother later came to London to "sort [his] head out". In June 2007, he said that he [13] "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 calledAustin(1986) and then later moved on to the Welsh language soap operaPobol y Cwm(People of the Valley) from 1987 to 1994.He also played football with thePobol y Cwmfootball teamCwmderi FCalongside co-starsHywel Emrys,Gwyn ElfynandIeuan Rhys. During this time, he was also active on stage, in school performances, and in the 1991 Urdd Eisteddfod production ofCwlwm. In 1992, at 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'sHedda Gableras George (Jdrgen) Tesman, the husband of Hedda, the lead character. This performance led to him being offered the lead role [7] [14] in the 1996 TV remake ofPoldark. After playing Oscar Wilde's lover John Gray in 1997'sWildehe took his first international role as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in the blockbuster filmTitanic. He later landed the role as Horatio Hornblower inHornblower, the Meridian production of the C. S. Forester novels (1998–2003), shown on ITV1 and A&E. Gruffudd 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 [11] perishes." Since 20 February, 2007, Gruffudd has been making plans to obtain rights to the Horatio Hornblower [15] novels in order to produce a film for the big screen. Gruffudd's TV work includes playing the character Pip in the BBC TV production of Charles Dickens'Great Expectations(1999), Lt. John Feeley in BBC One's"Warriors"(1999) and architect Philip Bosinney in ITV's adaptation ofThe Forsyte Saga(2002). He has starred in the films102 Dalmatians(2000),Black Hawk Down (2001) andKing Arthur(2004). In 2007, he starred in the historical dramaAmazing Graceas William Wilberforce, the British abolitionist, receiving critical acclaim for the role. Gruffudd has also portrayed characters of both Marvel Comics and DC Comics, having appeared as Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) in Marvel'sFantastic Four(2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer(2007), and provided the voice of Mister Miracle in DC'sJustice League Unlimited(2004–2006). In 2007, he appeared in Stories USA, and in 2008 also appeared in Agent Crush. He starred alongside Julia Roberts and Ryan Reynolds inFireflies in the Garden. That year, he also starred inThe Secret of Moonacrewhich was a critical and commercial failure. In 2009, he starred alongside Josh Brolin inW., a biopic about the life of George W Bush. Gruffudd played British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The film was a critical success, with Gruffudd praised for his work. In 2011, he played the financier of a cave dive inSanctum. Apart from television and film work, he also starred in the music video of Westlife's version of "Uptown Girl" [6] [9] (2001) alongside Claudia Schiffer, and on 7 July 2007 he was a presenter at the UK leg of Live Earth at [16] Wembley Stadium, London.

2

Wet Work Expert

Alec

Titanic

Title

Wilde

Kevin Shepherd

Solomon Levinsky

Freddy Bywaters

Addison

teacher

Carl Hurley

Tony Blair

Sir Benjamin

2001

Hob

2000

2001

Very Annie Mary

102 Dalmatians

Another Life

2001

Voice role

Solomon & Gaenor

1999

Happy Now

Selected work

John Gray

Role

Harold Godfrey Lowe, Fifth Officer of the RMSTitanic

Sgt. Max Bracchi

Notes

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer2007

Dan Blakeley

Shooters

2002

2002

Lt. John Beales

Amazing Grace

2001

Black Hawk Down

2006

William Wilberforce

Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic

King Arthur

2006

The TV Set

Fantastic Four

2004

2005

2003

2012

Foster

Sanctum

2011

Simon

2007

The Secret of Moonacre

2008

2008

2008

The Kid

W.

Horrible Bosses

2010

2011

The Gathering

This Girl's Life

Stories USA

Agent Crush

Agent Crush

2008

Fireflies in the Garden

Gruffudd is a native Welsh speaker. He was inducted into the Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain (the Bardic Order of Great Britain) at the highest rank of druid in the National Eisteddfod at Meifod, Mid Wales, on 4 August 2003, with [1] [17] the bardic name "Ioan". In July 2008 he featured in a promotional trailer in Welsh for BBC Wales alongside fellow Welshmen Matthew Rhys and Gethin Jones publicising the broadcaster's coverage of the 2008 National [18] Eisteddfod of Wales in Cardiff.

3

Film

Ioan Gruffudd

1997

Daniel

Year

1997

Lancelot

Freddy Guns

Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic

Richard McAllister

Year

[22] Some information in this table was obtained from "Ioan Gruffudd CV". Hamilton Hodell Talent Management. http:/ / www. hamiltonhodell.co.uk/page.asp?partid=91 . Retrieved 2008-05-15.

Television

1995

The Play Wot I Wrote2001

Theatre

Voice role

1987–94 Gareth Wyn Harries

Personal life

Man and Boy

Pobol y Cwm

2002

Century City

Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil

Notes

2010

Ben 10: Alien Force

1999

Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower

Great Expectations

Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters

Warriors

Poldark

Mystery Guest

Unknown

Hornblower: Loyalty

Ioan Gruffudd

Lt. John Feeley

Jeremy Poldark

Hornblower: Mutiny

Hornblower: Duty

The Forsyte Saga

2002

2003

2004

2003

Wyndham's Theatre, London

Gate Theatre, Notting Hill, London

1999

2001

Hornblower: Retribution

1999

2001

Role

George(Jdrgen)Tesman

Unknown

Dafydd

Austin

Title

Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower

National Theatre Studio, London

[20] 1995 Trouble Sleeping

1995

Ringer

Title

Hedda Gabler

[21] The Decameron

Year

1986

Role

Hornblower: The Even Chance

1999

1998

1996

4

Hornblower: The Examination For Lieutenant1998

Gruffudd currently lives with his wife, English actress Alice Evans, in Los Angeles, California. The couple met [23] during the production of102 Dalmatians, and married on 14 September 2007 in Mexico. One of Gruffudd's best men and speechmakers at the wedding was fellow Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, his long-time friend and former [3] flatmate of eight years. On 20 April 2009, Gruffudd and his wife announced they were expecting their first child [24] together. On 6 September 2009, the couple welcomed their first child, a girl, named Ella Betsi Janet Gruffudd. [25] Janet was chosen as a middle name in honour of Evans's mother who died in 1999.

Devin Levin

Lukas Gold

Harry Silver

Commander Horatio Hornblower

Phillip Bosinney

Commander Horatio Hornblower

Lt. Horatio Hornblower

3rd Lt. Horatio Hornblower

3rd Lt. Horatio Hornblower

Pip

2011-

Location

[19] Some information in this table was obtained from Ioan Gruffuddat the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 15 May 2008.

Andrew Martin

Ioan Gruffudd

Gruffudd enjoys being in Los Angeles because "it's the easiest place in the world to drive, and it's a real pleasure to [7] do that in my black Jag XK8. I've gone all out." He also admires the physicality and confidence of Americans, and [26] enjoys being around them because he feels these qualities rub off on to him.

Notes

[1] "Derbyn Ioan i'r Orsedd [Ioan received into the Gorsedd]" (http:/ /news.bbc.co.uk/welsh/hi/newsid_3120000/newsid_3122400/3122401. stm) (in Welsh). BBC Wales. 4 August 2003. . Retrieved 2 August 2008. "Biography for Ioan Gruffudd" (http:/ /www.imdb.com/name/ nm0344435/bio). Internet Movie Database (IMDb). . Retrieved 15 May 2008. [2] "Mr Peter Griffiths" (http://www.glam.ac.uk/awards/1846). University of Glamorgan. 2008. . Retrieved 2 August 2008. [3] Karen Price (18 September 2007). "Ioan's wedding pictures published" (http:/ /icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/whats-on/ tm_headline=ioan-8217-s-wedding-pictures-published& method=full&objectid=19805820&siteid=50082-name_page.html).Western Mail (reproduced on icWales.co.uk). . [4] "Ioan Gruffudd biography" (http:/ /www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/ioan_gruffudd/pages/biography.shtml). BBC Wales. . Retrieved 14 May 2008. [5] Moring, Mark (20 February 2007). "A Fantastic Role" (http:/ /www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/interviews/2007/ioangruffudd. html?start=3). Christianity Today. . Retrieved 7 October 2010. [6] Eloise Parker (12 March 2007). "Ioan's a celluloid superhero!" (http:/ /icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0900entertainment/0050artsnews/ tm_headline=ioan-s-a-celluloid-superhero-& method=full&objectid=18741605&siteid=50082-name_page.html). icWales.co.uk. . [7] Liz Hoggard (2 July 2005). "Ioan Gruffudd: Enter the dragon" (http:/ /www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/ ioan-gruffudd-enter-the-dragon-496974.html).The Independent(London). . [8] "Ioan Gruffudd CV" (http://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/page.asp?partid=91). Hamilton Hodell Talent Management. . Retrieved 15 May 2008. [9] "The Gruffudd saga" (http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=3492). GMTV. 16 January 2004. . [10] Ioan Gruffudd (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0344435/) at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 14 May 2008. [11] "Ioan Gruffudd: Trivia" (http:/ /www.filmspot.com/people/132486/ioan-gruffudd/trivia.html). Filmspot.com. . Retrieved 12 June 2007. [12] In a July 2005 newspaper interview, Gruffudd said: "I hadn't been going to chapel. A guy stopped me in the street and asked if I would like to go to church. I thought it was a sign. ... I knew it wasn't right but I didn't feel that it was so wrong, so other-worldly–that's how convincing the whole thing was. In the end, my mum had to come up to London to sort my head out.": Liz Hoggard (2 July 2005). "Ioan Gruffudd: Enter the dragon" (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/ioan-gruffudd-enter-the-dragon-496974.html).The Independent(London). . [13] James Collard (2 June 2007). "Prince of Wales: Famed for standout roles in period dramas, actor Ioan Gruffudd has a similar taste for timeless classics in his own wardrobe department" (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article1854458.ece).The Times(London). . [14] Gina Petonito (1999–2007). "Biography" (http://www.ioan-central.com/ioan/biography.php). Ioancentral [fan site]. . Retrieved 15 May 2008. [15] "Ioan Gruffudd–Gruffudd plans Hornblower movie" (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/gruffudd plans hornblower movie_1022658). Contactmusic.com. 20 February 2007. . [16] "London Live Earth line-up revealed" (http:/ /www.nme.com/news/live-earth/29428).NME. 5 July 2007. . [17] "Gruffudd made honorary druid" (http:/ /news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3005158.stm). BBC News. 20 June 2003. . [18] "Eisteddfod hapus! [Happy Eisteddfod!]" (http:/ /blogs.guardian.co.uk/mediamonkey/2008/07/dedwydd_eisteddfod.html). MediaMonkey, Mediaguardian.co.uk(London). 30 July 2008. . [19] http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0344435/ [20] According to the Hamilton Hodell Talent Management website, Gruffudd was involved in an "untitled Nick Ward play" written and directed by Nick Ward and performed at the Royal National Studios: see "Ioan Gruffudd CV" (http:/ /www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/page. asp?partid=91). Hamilton Hodell Talent Management. . Retrieved 2008-05-15. The website Doollee.com indicates that Nick Ward developed his playTrouble Sleepingat the National Theatre Studio in London, and that it was staged in 1995 in the Warehouse Theatre in Croydon: see "Nick Ward" (http://web.archive.org/web/20080602234348/http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsW/WardNick.htm). Doollee.com. Archived from the original (http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsW/WardNick.htm) on 2008-06-02. . Retrieved 2008-05-15. [21] Ian Shuttleworth (July 1996). "The Decameron. Gate Theatre, London W11. Opened 23 July 1996" (http:/ /www.cix.co.uk/~shutters/ reviews/96064.htm).Financial Times (reproduced on Ian Shuttleworth's homepage). . "Nick Ward" (http://web.archive.org/web/ 20080602234348/http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsW/WardNick.htm). Doollee.com. Archived from the original (http://www. doollee.com/PlaywrightsW/WardNick.htm) on 2008-06-02. . Retrieved 2008-05-15. [22] http://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/page.asp?partid=91 [23] Mary Margaret (2007-09-15). "Fantastic FourStar Ioan Gruffudd gets married" (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20057165,00. html).People. . [24] Alexis Chiu (20 April 2009). "Fantastic Four's Ioan Gruffudd and wife are expecting" (http:/ /www.people.com/people/article/ 0,,20273769,00.html).People. .

5

Ioan Gruffudd

[25] "Fantastic! Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans's joy at birth of 'unbelievably beautiful' daughter, Ella Betsi" (http:/ /www.dailymail.co.uk/ tvshowbiz/article-1212520/Fantastic-Ioan-Gruffudd-Alice-Evanss-joy-birth-unbelievably-beautiful-daughter-Ella-Betsi. html).Daily Mail (London). 2009-09-10. . [26] According to Gruffudd:"There's a physicality and confidence to Americans; they're very present. That's something I enjoy being around because it rubs off on you. Although an actor friend of mine visited recently and said, 'It's no wonder they write such terrible scripts these days, there's no pain! Everything's so nice you can't be bothered.'"/: Liz Hoggard (2005-07-02). "Ioan Gruffudd: Enter the dragon" (http:/ www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/ioan-gruffudd-enter-the-dragon-496974.html).The Independent (London). .

References e Hoggard, Liz (2005-07-02). "Ioan Gruffudd: Enter the dragon" (http://www.independent.co.uk/ arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/ioan-gruffudd-enter-the-dragon-496974.html).The Independent (London). "Ioan Gruffudd biography" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/ioan_gruffudd/pages/biography.shtml). BBC Wales. Retrieved 2008-05-14.

External links

Ioan Gruffudd (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm344435/) at the Internet Movie Database Ioan Gruffudd (http://tcmdb.com/participant/participant.jsp?participantId=510465) at the TCM Movie Database Ioan Gruffudd (http://www.allrovi.com/name/p268218) at AllRovi

6

Music by

Russell Carpenter

Cinematography

Starring

Directed by

James Cameron

Produced by

December 19, 1997

Release date(s)

[2] $1,843,201,268

Box office

Editing by

Titanic (1997 film)

Written by

James Cameron

7

James Cameron Jon Landau

Theatrical poster

Titanic

Paramount Pictures (USA) 20th Century Fox (International)

Titanic (1997 film)

Country

Running time

Budget

Language

Leonardo DiCaprio Kate Winslet Billy Zane Frances Fisher Gloria Stuart Bill Paxton Kathy Bates Danny Nucci Bernard Hill Victor Garber

James Horner

Studio

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] $200 million

English

194 minutes

United States

[1] 20th Century Fox [1] Paramount Pictures [1] Lightstorm Entertainment

Distributed by

James Cameron Conrad Buff IV Richard A. Harris

Cameron's inspiration for the film was predicated on his fascination with shipwrecks; he wanted to convey the emotional message of the tragedy, and felt that a love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to achieving this. Production on the film began in 1995, when Cameron shot footage of the actualTitanicwreck. The modern scenes were shot on board theAkademik Mstislav Keldysh, which Cameron had used as a base when filming the wreck. A reconstruction of theTitanicwas built at Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, and scale models and

Titanicis a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMSTitanic, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson, Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Billy Zane as Rose's fiancc, Cal Hockley. Jack and Rose are members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage.