Short Biography

Gruffudd was born on 6 October 1973 in the village of Llwydcoed near the town of Aberdare, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Mid Glamorgan, south Wales. His family later moved to Cardiff. The popular Welsh name "Ioan" is an equivalent of "John", and "Gruffudd" corresponds to the Anglicized "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 if it`s difficult for people to pronounce? We all learned how to say Schwarzenegger."

Gruffudd`s parents, Peter and Gillian Griffiths, were teachers. He has two siblings; a brother, Alun, who is two years younger, and a sister, Siwan, who is seven years younger than he is.

Gruffudd attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar (Ynyslwyd) (now situated in Cwmdare), Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd, and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, where he sat his GCSEs and A-Levels. A natural musician, he was an accomplished oboist in his teens, attaining a Grade 8 level in the ABRSM music examinations,[citation needed] but gave it up once acting took up most of his time.He also won prizes for his singing while at school. 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."

Miscellaneous Information

Friends and Family

Jamie Bamber [Friend] (who played "Archie Kennedy" on "Hornblower" and is currently playing Lee "Apollo" Adama on "Battlestar Galactica".)

Matthew Rhys [Friend] (Shared a flat in London with him)

Alun [Brother]

Siwan [Sister]

Gillian Griffiths [Mother] (teacher)

Peter Griffiths [Father] (teacher)

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