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1-45 of 45
- Actor
- Producer
- Editorial Department
Christian Charles Philip Bale was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK on January 30, 1974, to English parents Jennifer "Jenny" (James) and David Bale. His mother was a circus performer and his father, who was born in South Africa, was a commercial pilot. The family lived in different countries throughout Bale's childhood, including England, Portugal, and the United States. Bale acknowledges the constant change was one of the influences on his career choice.
His first acting job was a cereal commercial in 1983; amazingly, the next year, he debuted on the West End stage in "The Nerd". A role in the 1986 NBC mini-series Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) caught Steven Spielberg's eye, leading to Bale's well-documented role in Empire of the Sun (1987). For the range of emotions he displayed as the star of the war epic, he earned a special award by the National Board of Review for Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor.
Adjusting to fame and his difficulties with attention (he thought about quitting acting early on), Bale appeared in Kenneth Branagh's 1989 adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V (1989) and starred as Jim Hawkins in a TV movie version of Treasure Island (1990). Bale worked consistently through the 1990s, acting and singing in Newsies (1992), Swing Kids (1993), Little Women (1994), The Portrait of a Lady (1996), The Secret Agent (1996), Metroland (1997), Velvet Goldmine (1998), All the Little Animals (1998), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999). Toward the end of the decade, with the rise of the Internet, Bale found himself becoming one of the most popular online celebrities around, though he, with a couple notable exceptions, maintained a private, tabloid-free mystique.
Bale roared into the next decade with a lead role in American Psycho (2000), director Mary Harron's adaptation of the controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel. In the film, Bale played a murderous Wall Street executive obsessed with his own physicality - a trait for which Bale would become a specialist. Subsequently, the 10th Anniversary issue for "Entertainment Weekly" crowned Bale one of the "Top 8 Most Powerful Cult Figures" of the past decade, citing his cult status on the Internet. EW also called Bale one of the "Most Creative People in Entertainment", and "Premiere" lauded him as one of the "Hottest Leading Men Under 30".
Bale was truly on the Hollywood radar at this time, and he turned in a range of performances in the remake Shaft (2000), Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001), the balmy Laurel Canyon (2002), and Reign of Fire (2002), a dragons-and-magic commercial misfire that has its share of defenders.
Two more cult films followed: Equilibrium (2002) and The Machinist (2004), the latter of which gained attention mainly due to Bale's physical transformation - he dropped a reported 60+ pounds for the role of a lathe operator with a secret that causes him to suffer from insomnia for over a year.
Bale's abilities to transform his body and to disappear into a character influenced the decision to cast him in Batman Begins (2005), the first chapter in Christopher Nolan's definitive trilogy that proved a dark-themed narrative could resonate with audiences worldwide. The film also resurrected a character that had been shelved by Warner Bros. after a series of demising returns, capped off by the commercial and critical failure of Batman & Robin (1997). A quiet, personal victory for Bale: he accepted the role after the passing of his father in late 2003, an event that caused him to question whether he would continue performing.
Bale segued into two indie features in the wake of Batman's phenomenal success: The New World (2005) and Harsh Times (2005). He continued working with respected independent directors in 2006's Rescue Dawn (2006), Werner Herzog's feature version of his earlier, Emmy-nominated documentary, Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997). Leading up to the second Batman film, Bale starred in The Prestige (2006), the remake of 3:10 to Yuma (2007), and a reunion with director Todd Haynes in the experimental Bob Dylan biography, I'm Not There (2007).
Anticipation for The Dark Knight (2008) was spun into unexpected heights with the tragic passing of Heath Ledger, whose performance as The Joker became the highlight of the sequel. Bale's graceful statements to the press reminded us of the days of the refined Hollywood star as the second installment exceeded the box-office performance of its predecessor.
Bale's next role was the eyebrow-raising decision to take over the role of John Connor in the Schwarzenegger-less Terminator Salvation (2009), followed by a turn as federal agent Melvin Purvis in Michael Mann's Public Enemies (2009). Both films were hits but not the blockbusters they were expected to be.
For all his acclaim and box-office triumphs, Bale would earn his first Oscar in 2011 in the wake of The Fighter (2010)'s critical and commercial success. Bale earned the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund, brother to and trainer of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg. Bale again showed his ability to reshape his body with another gaunt, skeletal transformation.
Bale then turned to another auteur, Yimou Zhang, for the epic The Flowers of War (2011), in which Bale portrayed a priest trapped in the midst of the Rape of Nanking. Bale earned headlines for his attempt to visit with Chinese civil-rights activist Chen Guangcheng, which was blocked by the Chinese government.
Bale capped his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight Rises (2012); in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy, Bale made a quiet pilgrimage to the state to visit with survivors of the attack that left theatergoers dead and injured. He also starred in the thriller Out of the Furnace (2013) with Crazy Heart (2009) writer/director Scott Cooper, and the drama-comedy American Hustle (2013), reuniting with David O. Russell.
Bale will re-team with The New World (2005) director Terrence Malick for two upcoming projects: Knight of Cups (2015) and an as-yet-untitled drama.
In his personal life, he devotes time to charities including Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Foundation. He lives with his wife, Sibi Blazic, and their two children.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Rhys Ifans was born and raised in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, the son of teacher parents, Beti Wyn (Davies) and Eirwyn Evans. He was educated in two Welsh language schools - Ysgol Pentrecelyn, where his mother taught, and Ysgol Maes Garmon. During his childhood, Ifans showed an interest in performing and attended youth acting school. He went on to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Ifans made his small screen debut as the host of Welsh children's TV show, Stwnsh. Various roles in theater and Welsh language television also followed. His breakthrough on the big screen came in the British hit Twin Town (1997), where he acting alongside his younger brother Llyr Ifans. More film success followed, notably as Hugh Grant's scruffy housemate in Notting Hill (1999). Other projects include Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) , Little Nicky (2000), Enduring Love (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).
In 2004, he played iconic British comedian Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always (2004). His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and a BAFTA award for Best Actor.- Actor
- Producer
Leo Gregory was born on 22 November 1978 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is an actor and producer, known for Green Street Hooligans (2005), Stoned (2005) and Tristan + Isolde (2006).- Actor
- Writer
- Script and Continuity Department
Kenneth went to a grammar school in South Wales where the English literary teacher had the class read out parts in plays, which was the one thing he enjoyed; as a result, he was put in a play about Richard II. A local critic wrote, 'If this boy chooses to make the stage a career he should do well,' which gave Kenneth the idea of acting despite never having seen an actor or a theatre up to then. He left school at 15 with no idea of what to do apart from joining the army which would provide him with a uniform and food and possibly send him to India. Instead he went to Cambridge at 15½ to work in an ironmongers. He went to the stage door of the Cambridge Theatre with some of his notices and asked for the producer, who gave him a job at £3 a week. Despite having had no formal theatre training he made 70+ films, as well as researching and directing two of his own documentaries.- Clive Merrison was born on 15 September 1945 in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is an actor, known for The History Boys (2006), Firefox (1982) and Heavenly Creatures (1994). He was previously married to Gillian Barge.
- Charles Dale was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire in 1963. His father ran a record shop in Tenby and both his parents were keen amateur actors. After leaving school in 1979, he became an assistant stage manager (through a Youth Opportunity Scheme) at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven, where he stayed for a year. After occasional acting roles, he moved to London and trained at LAMDA.
He broke into television, when he appeared in Morgan's Boy (1984) and also worked consistently for the English Shakespeare Company. His big break came, when he appeared as the Chef, in a television series The Lakes (1997). He appeared in a couple of West End shows and played Dennis in Coronation Street (1960) for eighteen months. He later appeared as Clive, in Paradise Heights (2002) for the BBC with Neil Morrissey and Ralf Little as well as its spin-off The Eustace Bros. (2003). Further roles emerged in ITV's Steel River Blues (2004) and a children's series Barking! (2004) in 2004. He is married and lives in Wales with their son. He is a private family man who does not court publicity. - Costume Designer
- Additional Crew
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mary Grant was born on 20 February 1917 in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. She was a costume designer, known for Sweet Smell of Success (1957), We're No Angels (1955) and The Princess and the Pirate (1944). She was married to Vincent Price. She died on 2 March 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.- Actor
- Writer
Elis was born in Haverfordwest, Wales, on 3rd November 1980 and brought up in Carmarthen. Before entering the world of comedy he had various stop-gap jobs, including as an office temp from which was sacked for being "absolutely terrible". He also played guitar with indie band Heck, with whom he released an EP in addition to live performances. He began his career as a comedian in 2005, the next year winning the best comedy prize at the National Radio awards. In 2010 he supported Rhod Gilbert on his national tour and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe with another Welsh comic Chris Corcoran and in 2014 he appeared at the Hay Festival with his partner Isy Suttie, with whom he has a daughter also born that year .Also in 2014 he featured in a comedy pilot 'Josh' with Josh Widdicombe' which became a series as of 2016 running into a second season. In 2015 he took the lead in 'Crims', another sitcom in which he played a hapless inmate at a prison for young offenders and has also been a regular on comedy panel show 'Mock the Week'.- Writer
- Actress
Sarah Waters was born in 1966 in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. She is a writer and actress, known for The Handmaiden (2016), The Little Stranger (2018) and Fingersmith (2005).- Dick Francis learned to ride when he was five, on a donkey. His older brother offered him sixpence if he could jump the fence sitting backwards on the donkey. It took five tries, but the determined five-year-old did finally manage to stay on the donkey as he jumped the fence. He collected the sixpence from his brother and earned his first riding fee. Of that experience he says, "In my heart, from that moment, I became a professional horseman." He became an amateur steeplechase rider when he was 26, and two years later began riding as a professional steeplechase jockey. He won more than 350 races, and was retained as jockey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for four seasons. Perhaps his most famous and controversial ride was on the Queen Mother's horse, Devon Loch, in the 1956 Grand National. Fifty yards from the finish line, with the race virtually won, the horse just suddenly fell. Afterwards, they could find nothing wrong with the horse, and the mystery as to what happened has never been solved. Soon after, at 36, Francis decided to retire as a jockey. He became a racing correspondent for the Sunday Express and published his first book, an autobiography entitled "The Sport of Queens," in 1957. His first mystery novel, "Dead Cert," was published in 1962. Since then he has written an average of a mystery per year, to the delight of his many fans. He writes about what he knows best, and each novel touches on racing and horses in some way. The mysteries are more than simple "horse stories," though, as Francis uses his descriptive style to bring to life heroes who are actors, artists, photographers, bankers, contractors, wine merchants, inventors, diplomats, teachers, pilots, meteorologists - and the list goes on. Francis speculated in his autobiography that he would be remembered as "the man who didn't win the National", but to his many fans around the world, he will always be the definitive Master of Mystery.
- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Zoe Lyons was born on 3 October 1971 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. She is an actress and director, known for SuperBob (2015), Meet the Richardsons (2020) and Comedy at the Fringe (2011). She is married to Sindy De Jong.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Vaughan Sivell was born in 1976 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a producer and actor, known for Mr Calzaghe (2015), Gazza (2022) and Crusaders.- Additional Crew
- Producer
- Actor
Jonathan Goodwin was born on 20 February 1980 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a producer and actor, known for The Magicians (2011), Derren Brown: Trick or Treat (2007) and Tricks from the Bible (2006). He was previously married to Katy Goodwin.- Writer
- Actor
Wynford Vaughan-Thomas was born on 15 August 1908 in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for Anzio (1968), Dig This Rhubarb (1963) and Ace of Clubs (1947). He died on 4 February 1987 in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.- Composer
- Director
- Actor
Gruff Rhys was born on 18 July 1970 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a composer and director, known for Set Fire to the Stars (2014), American Interior (2014) and The Social Network (2010).- John Cooper was born on 3 September 1944 in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He was previously married to Pat Cooper.
- Producer
- Location Management
- Production Manager
Jonathan Paul Llewellyn was born in 1959 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a producer and production manager, known for One Foot in the Grave (1990), Jonathan Creek (1997) and Absolutely Fabulous (1992).- Writer
- Producer
- Production Manager
Matt Redd was born on 13 August 1979 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a writer and producer, known for The Place of My Birth (2016), Tollbooth (2021) and The Life and Death of Daniel Dee.- Rhidian Brook was born in 1964 in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a writer, known for The Aftermath (2019), Africa United (2010) and Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend (2011).
- Anwen Williams was born in 1950 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995), The Proposition (1996) and The Old Devils (1992). She died on 5 January 2011 in Cardiff, Wales, UK.
- British poet, writer and critic Arthur William Symons was born on 2/28/1865, in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshore, England. His education was "off and on", as he described it, but he managed to work his way into the London literary journalism scene in the 1890s. He was a member of The Rhymers Club, a collection of poets that included William Butler Yeats, and was a contributor to "The Yellow Book". He was made the editor of a new magazine, "The Savoy", in 1896.
Symons was acquainted with many of the top French writers and poets of the era, including Paul Verlaine, Stéphane Mallarmé and Joris-Karl Huysmans. He was a champion of the so-called "Symbolist Movement", and in 1899 published a book, "The Symbolist Movement in Literature", which was a major influence on such writers as Yeats and T.S. Eliot. His own poetry, in such works as "Days and Nights" (1889) and "London NIghts" (1895), was geared more toward the urban life he gravitated towards rather than the pastoral romantic settings of many of his contemporaries.
Symons suffered a nervous breakdown in 1908, and it took him almost two years to recover from it. From 1910-30 he produced mostly books and writings on travel, literary criticism and translations of other authors' works. He died in Wittersham, Kent, England, on 1/22/1945. - Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Nigel Walters BSC worked as a BBC Film Cameraman for nearly 30 years, during which time he covered assignments in all parts of the World. Since beginning a Freelance career in 1992, he has been responsible for filming the first 15 episodes of Kavanagh QC (1995), as well as award-winning films such as Streetlife (1995) and _Alive and Kicking (1991) (TV)_.- Writer
- Director
- Editor
Michael Lieber is a British novelist, essayist and short-story writer. Lieber's novels include The War Hero, The Boy and the Goldlock and Helga Dune. Throughout the 2010's, Lieber had a brief career as a London playwright and actor, during this period he also appeared in a handful of films. One of his first appearances was in the 2014 biopic Ramanujan, a period drama set in 1914 about the life of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Lieber played John Edensor Littlewood, starring alongside Kevin Mcgowan, Cloudia Swann, and Richard Walsh. When preparing to play the part, Lieber mat with renowned Hungarian mathematician professor Béla Bollobás who had worked with Littlewood in the 1970's.- Art Director
- Art Department
- Production Designer
Mark Raggett was born in 1953 in Solva, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is an art director and production designer, known for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Shakespeare in Love (1998) and The Hours (2002).- Wyn Calvin was born on 28 August 1925 in Narberth Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for Saturday Playhouse (1958), The House of Eliott (1991) and Winning Ways (1957). He was married to Carole. He died on 25 January 2022 in Wales, UK.