Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-12 of 12
- Actor
- Sound Department
- Producer
Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies was born in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales, to Mary Margaretta Phyllis (nee Jones), a nurse, and Rhys Davies, a mechanical engineer and Colonial Officer. He graduated from the University of East Anglia and is probably best known to film audiences for his roles in the blockbuster hits Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). He was introduced to a new generation of fans in the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), and (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)) in the role of Gimli the dwarf. He has also had leading roles in Victor/Victoria (1982), The Living Daylights (1987) and King Solomon's Mines (1985).
Rhys-Davies, who was raised in England, Africa and Wales, credits his early exposure to classic literature for his decision to pursue acting and writing. He later refined his craft at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (of which he is now an Associate Member). His television credits include James Clavell's Shogun (1980) and Noble House (1988), Great Expectations (1989), War and Remembrance (1988) and Archaeology (1991). An avid collector of vintage automobiles, Rhys-Davies has a host of theater roles to his credit, including "The Misanthrope", "Hedda Gabler", and most of Shakespeare's works. He divides his time between Los Angeles and the Isle of Man.- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Alexandra Roach was born in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire in Wales and was already a veteran of the Welsh television soap 'Pobol Y Cwm' by her early teens. In 2003 whilst studying for her GCSE exams at the local comprehensive school she learned that she had beaten out players in national soaps to win the award for the best juvenile actor in a soap at the Children in Entertainment Awards. Leaving 'Pobl Y Cwm' in 2005 she spent time with the National Youth Theatre of Wales before going on to R.A.D.A. from where she graduated with a B.A, in acting in 2010. A number of high profile roles followed including television series and the role of the younger Margaret Thatcher in the biopic 'The Iron Lady' with Meryl Streep.- Sara Gregory was born on 19 August 1986 in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. She is an actress, known for Alys (2011), Under Milk Wood (2015) and Torchwood (2006). She is married to Carwyn Jones. They have one child.
- Alex Jones was born on 18 March 1977 in Ammanford, Carmarthen, Wales, UK. She is an actress, known for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016), Ten Percent (2022) and The Life of Rock with Brian Pern (2014). She has been married to Charlie Thomson since 31 December 2015. They have one child.
- Composer
- Actor
- Music Department
Classically trained (viola and piano) and well-educated, Welsh-born John Cale became interested in both the experimental side of classical music (including artists like John Cage), and American rock-n-roll. When offered a chance to study music in New York in the early 1960s, Cale accepted, and along with school became an apprentice of Cage's, including performing a relay piano piece with him ("Vexations") onstage.
Needing some quick cash away from his studies during 1964, Cale next became the bass guitarist for a band called the Primitives, put together around a song (called "The Ostrich") by Lou Reed, who was then a staff writer for a small record label. The record bombed, but Cale and Reed became musical partners and co-writers.
Forming The Velvet Underground the next year with Reed's old college classmate Sterling Morrison, a cornerstone of the band was the camaraderie of Reed and Cale, and the way they worked together. Cale's classical touches gave the streetwise rock group's sound a unique, refined edge, and an added intellectual appeal.
Making slow progress as a rock band, though, and Cale's missing the British Isles, had nearly persuaded the Velvets to pack up and try their luck in England, before their fateful meeting with artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol at the end of 1965. Acting as their manager and producer, Warhol put the band to work the next year, performing live at his shows, providing soundtracks for his films, and even appearing in the films occasionally. He also teamed up actress and "chanteuse" Nico with the Velvets, and secured them the recording contract (for MGM's Verve label) they'd wanted. Besides their working relationship, Cale and Reed each formed close personal ties with Warhol.
A falling-out between Cale and Reed during 1968 led to his exit from the Velvet Underground (not long after Nico's, and the band's firing of Warhol). With all the experience he'd gained, Cale became a writer and producer in his own right, making solo albums ("Vintage Violence", "The Academy In Peril", "Music For A New Society") and producing records for other artists (including Nico's "The Marble Index"). He and Lou Reed mended their friendship during the 1970s, but never worked together again until 1988, after Andy Warhol's death. The tributes each had been working on separately turned into the joint album "Songs For Drella" (a nickname for Warhol), which became a surprise hit in 1989.
Cale continued his solo writing and producing, but reunited with the Velvet Underground in 1992 for a tour, and a live album. With admirers in both the rock and classical worlds, Cale has secured a place for himself in popular music.- Composer
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Rick Smith was born on 25 May 1959 in Ammanford, South Wales, Wales, UK. He is a composer and actor, known for Sunshine (2007), Vanilla Sky (2001) and Batman & Robin (1997).- Gareth Jewell was born on 7 June 1983 in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. He is an actor, known for Alys (2011), Gwaith/Cartref (2011) and Baker Boys (2011).
- Simon Watts was born in 1978 in Ammanford, South Wales, Wales, UK. He is an actor, known for Persona (2022), Y Mapiwr (1995) and Hidden (2018). He is married to Rhian Blythe. They have one child.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Donald Peers was born on 10 July 1908 in Ammanford, Dyfed, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for Sing Along with Me (1952), The Balloon Goes Up (1942) and Club Night (1964). He was married to Gertrude Mary Thomson. He died on 8 August 1973 in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK.- Catrin Arwel was born on 4 January 1981 in Ammanford, Carmarthen, Wales, UK. She is an actress, known for Cravings (2006), Casualty (1986) and Good Arrows (2009).
- James Griffiths was born on 19 September 1890 in Betws, Ammanford, Wales, UK. He died on 7 August 1975 in Teddington, England, UK.
- Trevor Anthony was born on 28 October 1912 in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for A Christmas Carol (1962), The Mizzen Cross Trees (1937) and Derby Day (1937). He died on 1 August 1984 in Brent, Middlesex, England, UK.