Rhys Ifans biography, wife, age, height, family, career path 2025

Biography of Rhys Ifans

Welsh actor Rhys Ifans has built a devoted following through his versatility and magnetic screen presence. He's tackled everything from comedic goofballs to formidable villains, winning over audiences and critics alike. After conquering British cinema, Rhys burst into Hollywood in 2000. Fans remember him as the amusing Spike from "Notting Hill," the grim Adrian from "Little Nicky," and the slightly mad Xenophilius Lovegood from "Harry Potter."

In 2011, he lived every actor's dream by playing not just Hamlet but the character's supposed creator in the period drama "Anonymous." In 2022, he returned to the spotlight as the Hand of the King, playing deadly political games in the blockbuster series "House of the Dragon."

Childhood

Future actor Rhys Ifans was born on July 22, 1967, in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Both his parents were teachers. Rhys was very close to his brother Llyr, who was only a year younger. Their home buzzed with creativity—music constantly filled the air and Welsh traditions were cherished.

The family moved a lot within Wales. Rhys started first grade in the town of Ruthin, where his mother got a job at an elementary school. He completed his secondary education in Mold, where he began attending a school at the local Clwyd Theatre. It was there that he made his first stage appearances, performing in the play "Hamlet."

Ifans also appeared on stage in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and in the plays "Under Milk Wood" and "Volpone" at the National Theatre.

In 1990, Rhys made his first television appearance. He became a host of a children's quiz show on local TV. Viewers and producers alike were impressed by his natural ability to improvise on camera. TV offers quickly followed, which he eagerly accepted.

Rhys Ifans as a young man on the theater stage

By 1994, he realized he wanted to pursue acting more seriously. He enrolled in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began auditioning.

Acting Career

Rhys's early roles weren't exactly showstoppers: he played minor characters in low-budget TV series, where his name was not always credited. His big break didn't come until 1996 when he landed a truly significant project: the drama Anthony Hopkins "August." Evans snagged a supporting role and got to work alongside not just the star of "The Silence of the Lambs" but also seasoned actors like Leslie Phillips and Kate Burton.

The following year, Rhys and his brother Llyr landed leading roles in the dramedy "Twin Town" (1997). They played dangerous and slightly crazy brothers who robbed a crime lord. The film was nominated for the main prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Rhys Evans and his brother Llyr in the movie "Twin Town"

Evans started making a name for himself and the role offers began rolling in. His role in the 1999 romantic comedy "Notting Hill" really put him on the map. The actor played the friend of the main character, played by the charming Hugh Grant.

Spike, whom Rhys portrayed on screen, was a scruffy and eccentric Welshman, contrasting with Hugh's character. To get into the role, Evans even stopped brushing his teeth for a couple of months during filming. His commitment paid off – he earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. However, he lost the award to Jude Law.

In 2000, the actor made waves in Hollywood with his starring role in the comedy "Little Nicky" alongside Adam Sandler and Patricia Arquette. Rhys played the arrogant older brother of Nicky, Adrian. The film launched the Welsh actor onto the international stage.

In 2001, he appeared in the drama "The Shipping News," where the lead roles were played by movie stars Kevin Spacey, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, and Julianne Moore. He also portrayed an extravagant professor in Michel Gondry's experimental dramedy "Human Nature" and a weapons and contraband dealer in the action film "Formula 51." In the latter, Rhys starred alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle.

Over the following eight years, Evans built an impressive resume with box office hits like "Vanity Fair" (2004), "Hannibal Rising" (2006), "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007), "Mr. Nobody" (2009), and "The Boat That Rocked" (2009). For his role in the TV-drama "Not Only But Always," where Rhys played comedian Peter Cook, he won the BAFTA award (2005).

In 2010, Evans landed a role in the blockbuster "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I." In the fantasy saga, he played Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's eccentric father and publisher of "The Quibbler" magazine. "I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, but I felt privileged to work with actors like Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon," Rhys admitted.

Rhys Evans in the movie "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I"

In 2011, the actor landed the lead role in the drama "Anonymous," exploring the mystery surrounding the authorship of William Shakespeare's works. Evans portrayed the Earl of Oxford, who many believe actually wrote the playwright's works. "Anonymous was a real gift because I'd never played anything like it before," he noted. While the film didn't break box office records, it earned an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design.

A year later, Rhys entered the Marvel universe, starring in "The Amazing Spider-Man" alongside Andrew Garfield in the title role. Evans transformed into one of the superhero's most dangerous foes, the Lizard.

Rhys Evans in the movie "The Amazing Spider-Man"

Following this project, he appeared in the TV series "Elementary" (2012), the drama "Serena" (2014), the fantasy "Alice Through the Looking Glass" (2016), and the war thriller "Official Secrets" (2019). In 2020, Rhys starred in the comedy "Misbehaviour" alongside Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Theater

Drawing on his early stage experiences, the actor continued developing his theater career. In 2003, he performed in the play "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Three years later, he returned to the stage in the production "Don Juan in Soho."

Rhys Ifans in the play 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist'

In 2016, after a long hiatus, Rhys performed at the Old Vic theater in "King Lear." A year later, he took on Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" at the same venue. In 2018, Ifans participated in the production of "Exit the King" at the National Theatre.

Additionally, in 2020, he was cast as Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird." However, the coronavirus pandemic forced the premiere's postponement to 2021, and Ifans lost the role due to scheduling conflicts.

Music

Music has been central to the actor's career and life, a passion that took root in his childhood. Rhys Ifans was briefly the lead singer of the rock band Super Furry Animals.

Super Furry Animals - God! Show Me Magic

In 2007, Rhys began singing with the Welsh band The Peth, which played psychedelic rock. In 2008, the actor performed with the group at a popular UK concert venue. A year later, they opened for the British rock band Oasis during a concert at the stadium in Cardiff.

Rhys Ifans during a concert of the band The Peth

The actor also appeared in several music videos for the bands Super Furry Animals, Catatonia, and Stereophonics. In 2005, Ifans starred in the music video for the song "The Importance of Being Idle" by Oasis and won the "Video of the Year" award at the NME Awards.

Personal Life of Rhys Ifans

Rhys Ifans tries to keep his personal life private. However, in 2007, paparazzi caught him out with actress Sienna Miller. After that, the couple stopped hiding their relationship and started making more frequent public appearances.

In 2008, news broke that the actor had proposed to his girlfriend. Miller said yes but soon realized she wasn't ready for marriage. She broke up with Rhys over the phone, which deeply offended him.

He found solace in a brief romance with actress Kimberly Stewart. In 2011, Rhys began dating Anna Friel. They were together for three years before amicably parting ways.

After that, Rhys did not publicize any new relationships. Ifans has never been married and has no children. The actor also stays off social media despite fan pressure to join.

Rhys Ifans Now

In 2021, Rhys took on the role of Grigori Rasputin, the antagonist of the main character in the film "The King's Man." The movie also starred Ralph Fiennes and Harris Dickinson. The film received lukewarm reviews.

By then, Ifans had already started developing his character for the blockbuster series "House of the Dragon," a spin-off of "Game of Thrones." Episodes began streaming on HBO in August 2022. Rhys played the role of King Viserys' Hand, Otto Hightower. In the show, his character is a shrewd and calculating official who gained proximity to the throne by marrying his daughter Alicent to the widowed king.

Alongside Ifans, the series starred Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Fabien Frankel, and other British actors. "It's always wonderful when you know you're working with someone incredibly talented," Rhys said of his co-stars.

In 2023, Ifans appeared in the tragicomedy "Mother, Couch," where he and Ewan McGregor play brothers trying to get their mom to leave a furniture store, as well as in the biographical film "Diana Nyad." He also appeared in the blockbuster "Venom: Last Dance" as a hippie and alien enthusiast named Martin.

Rhys Ifans in Venom: The Last Dance

Interesting Facts

Ifans is involved in charity work. In 2017, he became a partner in the social project "7 Ways to End Homelessness." He also bought a pub in his hometown of Pembrokeshire, saving it from closure.

In 2002, the actor sparked controversy with a careless remark in an interview about vacant holiday homes in Wales owned by English people in the 1980s. He emphasized that modern Welsh youth can't afford to live there. His comments seemed to justify the actions of a nationalist group that had burned these homes. His remarks were condemned by British media and online commentators. The actor did not clarify or comment on his statements.

In 2011, a security guard at Comic-Con claimed the actor pushed him. The police had to arrest Rhys. However, the incident was quickly resolved when no charges were filed due to lack of evidence.

Important Dates in Life

1990 – Started hosting a children's quiz show on Welsh television
1994 – Entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
1996 – Appeared in the drama "August"
1997 – Acted alongside his brother Llyr in the film "Twin Town"
1999 – Scored a role in the comedy "Notting Hill" and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor
2000 – Appeared in the movie "Little Nicky"
2003 – Starred in the play "Accidental Death of an Anarchist"
2005 – Snagged a BAFTA Award for his role in the drama "Not Only But Always," appeared in Oasis's music video for "The Importance of Being Idle," and took home "Video of the Year" at the NME Awards
2006 – Appeared in "Hannibal Rising" and starred in the play "Don Juan in Soho"
2007 – Started fronting the rock band "The Peth"
2008 – Proposed to actress Sienna Miller
2010 – Appeared in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"
2011 – Scored the lead role in the drama "Anonymous"
2012 – Acted in "The Amazing Spider-Man"
2016 – Appeared in the fantasy "Alice Through the Looking Glass," performed in the play "King Lear"
2017 – Took on the lead role in the play "A Christmas Carol"
2021 – Played Grigori Rasputin in the film "The King's Man"
2022 – Appeared as Otto Hightower in the series "House of the Dragon"