Ioan Gruffudd

Actor

Birth Date: October 6, 1973

Age: 49 years old

Birth Place: Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Glamorgan, Wales, UK

One of the most noted actors to emerge from Wales, Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced YOE-an GRI-fith) made his breakthrough across the pond in America with a small, but recognizable role as a ship officer aboard the "Titanic" (1997). Oddly enough, in the United Kingdom, Gruffudd became one of the most recognized sea officers on the small screen, playing the young, fictional naval officer "Horatio Hornblower" (ITV, 1998-2003). But it was "Titanic" that allowed Gruffudd to stake a claim in American cinema, helping him land supporting roles in "102 Dalmatians" (2000) and "Black Hawk Down" (2001). Though not a household name by any stretch - thanks in part to his name's difficult pronunciation - he did manage to make himself a recognizable face when he played Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the feature comic book adaptation, "Fantastic Four" (2005). After a successful reprisal in the 2007 sequel, Gruffudd was well-established as one of the most talented Welch exports this side of Catherine Zeta-Jones.