Rhys Ifans

Rhys Ifans (born Rhys Owain Evans; 22 July 1967) is a Welsh actor and musician. He is known for his portrayal of characters such as Spike in Notting Hill and Jed Parry in Enduring Love and as a member of the Welsh rock groups Super Furry Animals and The Peth. Ifans also appeared as Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and as Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man. He played Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, in Anonymous. Ifans gained fame in the United States as the gambling footballer turned American football player Nigel Gruff in the 2000 film The Replacements.

Biography
Rhys Ifans was born and raised in Wales, the son of teacher parents. 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, where he acting alongside his younger brother Llyr Ifans. More film success followed, notably as Hugh Grant's scruffy housemate in Notting Hill. Other projects include Dancing at Lughnasa, Little Nicky, Enduring Love, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and The Amazing Spider-Man.

In 2004, he played iconic British comedian Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and a BAFTA award for Best Actor.

Personal life
Ifans's brother, Llŷr Evans, is also an actor. They starred together in the Welsh produced film Twin Town. Rhys was romantically linked to actress Sienna Miller, and has a swallow tattoo on his right wrist to match hers. In June 2008 it was reported that Miller had ended the relationship with Ifans just a few months after they had become engaged.

During 2011 Comic Con, Ifans was arrested for misdemeanour battery, by San Diego police, after allegedly pushing a guard prior to speaking on a guest panel. In August 2011, the local District Attorney's office announced that Ifans would not be charged due to lack of evidence.