Who is Rhys Ifans?
Rhys Owain Evans was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, on 22 July 1967 – his zodiac sign is Cancer, and he holds British nationality. He’s an actor and film producer, with more than 80 acting credits to his name, while he’s probably known best for his portrayal of Dr. Curt Connors – aka The Lizard – in the 2012 science fiction adventure movie “The Amazing Spider-Man”. It was directed by Marc Webb, starred Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, and follows Peter Parker who’s become Spider-Man now that he’s been bitten by a strange spider; the movie won two of the 33 awards for which it was nominated.
Early life and education
Rhys was raised in Ruthin, Wales alongside his younger brother Llŷr Ifans, by their father Eurwyn Evans who was an elementary school teacher, and their mother Beti-Wyn (nee Davies) who was a nursery school teacher; Llŷr’s today also a successful actor, and has appeared in close to 20 movies and TV series.
Rhys became interested in acting while attending Ysgol Maes Garmon High School; he was a member of the school’s drama club, and appeared in various plays performed both at the school and a local theatre. He was urged by his parents to focus on his education rather than to pursue an acting career straight away, and thus upon matriculating in 1985, Rhys enrolled at college, but quit not long after that, and began hosting TV shows on the Welsh-language channel S4C.
However, he eventually enrolled at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997.
Roles in TV series
Rhys made his debut TV series appearance in the 1989 comedy “Slac yn Dynn”, and the following years saw him appear in an episode or two of various series, such as the family comedy “Spatz”, the crime drama “Nightshift”, and the drama “Screen Two”.
He gained recognition in 1997, when cast to play Michael Dunn in the episodes “Trial & Retribution I – Part One” and “Trial & Retribution I – Part Two” of the popular mystery crime drama “Trial & Retribution”, created by Lynda La Plante, and which starred David Hayman, Dorian Lough and Victoria Smurfit. It follows Detective Superintendent Michael Walker and his team as they’re solving cases; the series aired from 1997 to 2009 and was nominated for five awards, including two BAFTAs.
Rhys’ following TV series role was in a 2007 episode of the comedy “Annually Retentive”, and the year 2008 saw him play Hugh in the episode “Six Days One June” of the comedy drama “The Last Word Monologues”.
What marked the next decade for him was probably his portrayal of Mycroft Holmes in the hit mystery crime drama “Elementary”, created by Robert Doherty, and which starred Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu and Aidan Quinn. It follows Detective Sherlock Holmes as he’s solving crimes in New York City; the series aired from 2012 to 2019, and won six of the 27 awards for which it was nominated, including two Primetime Emmy nominations.
Rhys’ most recent TV series role has been his portrayal of Gubby in six episodes of the 2021 crime thriller mini-series “Temple”.
Roles in movies
Rhys made his debut film appearance in the 1993 drama “Rhag Pob Brad”, while a couple of his following roles were in the 1996 romantic comedy drama “August”, the comedy drama “Twin Town” and the short drama “The Sin Eater” both in 1997.
In 1999, Rhys played Spike in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy drama “Notting Hill”, directed by Roger Michell, and which starred Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts and Richard McCabe. It follows a famous actress and the owner of a small bookshop who have fallen in love, and the movie won 11 awards, including a BAFTA Audience Award.
What marked the 2000s for Rhys were perhaps his performances in the 2000 sports comedy “The Replacement”, the 2004 drama “Vanity Fair”, and the 2009 romantic fantasy drama “Mr. Nobody”.
He portrayed Xenophilius Lovegood in the 2010 adventure family fantasy “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”, directed by David Yates, and which starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. The movie follows wizards Harry, Ron and Hermione, as they’re trying to destroy the Horcruxes, which is the only way to defeat the evil wizard Voldemort; the movie won 15 of the 72 awards for which it was nominated, including Oscar nominations for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, and Best Achievement in Art Direction.
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Three of Rhys’ most recent movie roles have been in 2021, in the sports comedy drama “The Phantom of the Open”, the action adventure thriller “The King’s Man”, and the action fantasy adventure “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.
Other credits
Rhys received special thanks for the 2006 fantasy comedy film “The Science of Sleep”.
He co-produced the 2015 drama movie “Under Milk Wood”.
Rhys has made a guest appearance in a number of talk-shows, such as “Brydon &”, “Beyond the Trailer”, and “Entertainment Tonight”.
Awards and nominations
He’s won four of the 12 awards for which he’s been nominated, including a 2005 BAFTA TV win for Best Actor, for his performance in “Not Only But Always”.
Love life and relationships
Rhys prefers to keep his personal matters to himself, and thus hasn’t spoken of any women (or men) whom he’s perhaps been with, however, there are still three women whom he’s dated that the public knows about. In February and March 2007, Rhys dated non-celebrity British girl Iris Palmer, and the second half of the year saw him date Sienna Miller, a popular British actress with close to 50 credits to her name; the two became engaged in 2008, but called it off in the same year.
Between 2011 and 2014, Rhys was in a relationship with Anna Friel, a famous British actress who’s appeared in nearly 100 movies and TV series, perhaps still known best for her portrayal of Holly Cantrell in the 2009 action adventure comedy movie “Land of the Lost”.
As of June 2022, Rhys seems to be single, hasn’t married and doesn’t have children.
Hobbies and interesting facts
Rhys has also ventured into the field of music, and spent some time as the lead vocalist of the Welsh rock ‘n’ roll band Super Furry Animals, but left before the band had released any albums. Since 2007, he’s been the singer of the psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll band The Peth.
Rhys is a philanthropist, and in September 2012 became the Welsh-language Wikipedia’s patron. He took part in the 2017 campaign 7 Ways You Can End Homelessness, and in the same year supported the community purchase of the pub Tafarn Sinc, which was facing closure.
Rhys is passionate about travelling, and his acting career has taken him to various US states and European countries, while his dream travel destination is Sydney, Australia.
He has his own favorite actor and actress, Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter, while a couple of his favorite films include “Les Miserables”, “Fight Club” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Age, height and net worth
Rhys’ age is 54. He has short blonde hair and blue eyes, his height is 6ft 2ins (1.9m) and he weighs around 175lbs (80kgs).
As of June 2022, Rhys’ net worth stands at more than $12 million.
