Ioan Gruffudd is an incredibly talented and versatile actor. With his exceptional acting skills and undeniable charisma, he has captivated audiences worldwide. His multifaceted talents have set him apart and made him an admirable figure in the entertainment industry. As a result, he has appeared in some big screen roles, including Titanic, San Andreas, and Forever.
Ioan Gruffudd is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He gained international attention for playing Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in Titanic (1997). Furthermore, Ioan became a leading man in the Hornblower series of television movies between 1998 and 2003.
Ioan Gruffudd profile summary
Full name | Ioan Graffudd |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 6 October 1973 |
Age | 51 (as of 2024) |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Place of birth | Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Cynon Valley, Wales |
Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Nationality | Welsh |
Ethnicity | Welshman |
Religion | Protestant Nonconformist |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height in feet | 5'11" |
Height in centimetres | 182 |
Weight in pounds | 174 |
Weight in kilograms | 79 |
Hair colour | Dark Brown |
Eye colour | Dark Brown |
Mother | Gillian Gruffudd |
Father | Peter Gruffudd |
Siblings | 2 (Siwan Gruffudd, Alun Gruffudd) |
Marital status | Engaged |
Partner | Alice Evans (m. 2007–2023), Bianca Wallace (2021-present) |
Children | 2 |
School | Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar, Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf |
College | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
Profession | Actor |
Net worth | $3 million |
@ioangruffudd | |
X | @ioangruffudd |
Early life
Ioan Gruffudd was born on 6 October 1973 in Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Cynon Valley, Wales. He is the son of Peter Gruffudd (father) and Gillian Gruffudd (mother). Furthermore, he is the eldest of his two siblings, Alun Gruffudd and Siwan Gruffurd.
His parents were teachers. Gruffudd's father was a headmaster at two Welsh-language comprehensive schools in South Wales. He was first a headmaster at Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari (in Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf) and then later at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen (in Rhydfelin).
Gruffudd's family moved from Aberdare to Wales, where he grew up. He attended several schools, including Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar, Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd (in Whitchurch, Cardiff), and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (in Llandaff North).
During his early years, Ioan displayed a love for performing arts. He was particularly interested in acting and music and showed great promise from a young age. When he reached his teen years, he was already an accomplished oboist.
Gruffudd gave up on his career as a musician and became an actor. So, he moved to London and enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to study acting.
Professional career
The Welsh actor has had a successful career in both film and television. His journey began at 13 when he appeared in a Welsh television film, Austin (1986). He later moved on to the Welsh language soap opera Pobol y Cwm (People of the Valley) from 1987 to 1992.
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1995, Ioan started working locally, appearing in his first onscreen English language project, A Relative Stranger (1995).
Gruffudd's career significantly turned when he was featured in the television series Poldark, based on Winston Graham's novels. In 1997, Ioan Gruffudd in Titanic played the role of Fifth Officer Harold Lowe. The Welsh actor has since appeared in numerous films, including:
- Fantastic Four (2005)
- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007),
- Fireflies in the Garden (2008)
- W (2009)
- Sanctum (2011)
He has also appeared in many TV shows, such as:
- Poldark (1996)
- Hornblower series of television movies between 1998 and 2003
- Great Expectations (1999)
- Ringer (2011–2012)
- Forever (2014–2015)
- Harrow (2018-2021)
Besides movies and TV shows, the Welsh actor has also appeared in theatrical productions, music videos, and video games.
Ioan Gruffudd's wife and children
Gruffudd has been in two relationships and has two children. The actor first met actress Alice Evans in 1999 on the set of 102 Dalmatians. Gruffudd and Evans played onscreen love interests, Chloe and Kevin.
The couple fell in love in real life and moved in together in 2003 in Los Angeles. On 14 September 2007, Ioan and Alice tied the knot. They have two children together (Ella Betsi and Elsie Marigold).
Alice Evans is a British-American actress. She is known for playing Esther Mikaelson in The Vampire Dairies (2011-2012) and The Originals (2014-2015). In 2020, the actor admitted that he and his wife struggled in their relationship.
The couple announced their separation in 2021. Gruffudd then filed for a divorce in 2022, which was granted in July 2023. After the divorce, the judge ordered Alice to take custody of Ioan Gruffudd's children.
After announcing their separation, Gruffudd started dating actress Bianca Wallace in 2021. According to an article in People, Gruffudd announced his engagement to Bianca Wallace in January 2024.
Ioan Gruffudd’s net worth
The Welsh actor has made money through his acting career and investments in real estate. His salary has changed over the years, mostly from his acting work. For example, Ioan earned an average of $600,000 yearly before 2021.
He made $486,000 in 2021, $51,000 in 2022, and $219,000 in 2023. However, Gruffudd has also been in financial trouble after separating and divorcing his wife, Alice Evans. He pays Alice a minimum of $10,000 monthly.
According to Daily Mail, he was in debt and wanted to sell his $2-million home to pay the debt during the divorce. Gruffudd's net worth is $3 million.
Ioan Gruffudd's fast facts
- What does Ioan Gruffudd do for a living? Ioan Gruffudd is an actor who has appeared in many screen roles, including Forever (2014-2015) and San Andreas (2015).
- Where is Ioan Gruffudd from? Ioan Gruffudd was born in Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Cynon Valley, Wales.
- How do you pronounce Ioan Gruffudd? Ioan Gruffudd's name is pronounced as Yo-wahn Griffith.
- How old was Ioan Gruffudd in Hornblower? Ioan Gruffudd was 24 when filming but played the role of a 17-year-old teen.
- How many children does Ioan Gruffudd have? Ioan Gruffudd has two children, Ella and Elsie Gruffudd.
- Who is Ioan Gruffudd dating in 2024? In January 2024, Ioan Gruffudd announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Bianca Wallace.
- How long were Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans together? Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans met in 1999, moved in together in 2003, married in 2007, separated in 2021, and divorced in July 2023.
Wrapping up
Ioan Gruffudd is a Welsh actor known for playing Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in the film Titanic (1997). His ex-wife is Alice Evans, and he is currently engaged to his girlfriend, Bianca Wallace. Gruffudd has two children with Alice Evans, Ella and Elsie Gruffudd.
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