Matthew Rhys

Film and TV actor

Born:

04 NOV 1974

Place of Birth:

Cardiff

School:

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf

Famous For:

Film and TV actor famous on both sides of the Atlantic

Biography:

Born in Cardiff, Rhys's acting potential came to light at the age of 17 when he played Elvis Presley in a school musical.

While training at RADA, he appeared in the BBC TV police drama series Back-Up and an HTV film adaptation of the Ed Thomas play House of America.

In 1997 he won the Bafta Cymru award for Best Actor for his role in the Welsh-language film Bydd yn Wrol (Be Brave).

Following his graduation from RADA, a string of TV and movie roles followed including the costume drama Greenstone, adventure drama The Lost World, contemporary drama Metropolis, and the movie Very Annie Mary.

Rhys's big break came in 2000 when he was chosen to appear alongside Kathleen Turner at London's Gielgud Theatre in the world premiere of the stage adaptation of The Graduate (pictured left).

Critical acclaim for the play helped boost Rhys's international profile - since then he's landed the role of Kevin Walker in the US TV series Brothers and Sisters and portrays Dylan Thomas in the biopic The Edge of Love.

As he heads towards Hollywood's A-list, there'll be some good natured competition between Rhys and his former housemate and childhood friend Ioan Gruffudd.

Moment of Glory:

Critical acclaim for The Graduate as a relative unknown

your comments

Norma Smith, Nottingham
I first saw Matthew Rhys in Brothers and Sisters and he is absolutely fanastic as Kevin Walker. I have not seen him in anything else but that I plan to change. I can't wait to see The Edge of Love, and will look for other movies he has starred in. Excellent work Matthew.

Victoria, Blackwood
I know Matthew and he is still the same person that he was before fame. He may be the other side of the pond but Wales will always be his home.

Vladimír Bureš from Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
The first time I saw Matthew Rhys was on Tv show "Brothers and Sisters". I absolutely fell in love this TV show. I think Matthew is an amazing and gorgeous actor.

Trish, Greater Manchester
A wonderfully versatile actor who steals every scene he is in. Catch him in The Lost World on Monday 28 July BBC4. Can't believe Brothers and Sisters was relegated to late at night on E4. He should be given a much higher profile in his own country.

Jan Gray, Cardiff
Having seen him in The Graduate in London, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Stratford-upon- avon, among many other film and theatre productions, he deserves a well earned piece of recognition.

Mary Prew, Cardiff
An extremely talented actor ... he was fabulous in the RSC productions of Romeo & Juliet and King Lear. Having met him, I can say that he is one of the nicest and most patient people you could meet.

Suzette Bakelaar, Netherlands
I've seen him in several movies ... and I think he's an amazing actor!

Kerryanne Jacobsen Okezie, Newport
I have been watching Matthew Rhys on Brothers and Sisters - one of my favourite shows - and I didn't even know he is a brother. WOW! I am so proud of him.

Jean from Cardiff
I think Matthew Rhys is a brilliant actor, and deserves to go far. We have seen him in many productions including The Graduate, and in Stratford in a Shakespeare production, besides all the television and film roles Matthew has been in. Well done Matthew, and good luck.

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