Famous People of Port Talbot
Richard Burton
Legendary screen star, famously married to Elizabeth Taylor twice.
Richard Burton was born in Pontrhydyfen a small village on the outskirts of Port Talbot on the 10th of November 1925. His real name was Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr. He took his professional name from his former schoolmaster, Philip Burton. He was best known for his on-screen portrayal of Roman General Mark Antony opposite Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra', especially after they took the romance off-screen. He went on to become one of Wales' most recognisable faces and voices.
Rob Brydon
Successful comedy actor and writer.
Rob Brydon was born in Swansea, South Wales on 3rd May 1965. He grew up in Baglan nr Port Talbot, before moving to Porthcawl where his interest in acting flourished. Television appearances include “The Keith Barret Show”, “Marion & Geoff”, “Human Remains”, “I'm Alan Partridge” and “Little Britain”. Films appearances include “Tristram Shandy” and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Film actor who achieved superstardom in the late 1980s
One of the biggest movie star Port Talbot has ever produced, Anthony Hopkins achieved stardom quite late in his career. He was born in Port Talbot, the son of a Taibach baker. His career saw its beginnings at the local YMCA club. Educated at Port Talbot's Central School, his interest in acting was first aroused when Richard Burton paid a visit to Port Talbot. On getting the star's signature he decided it was time to follow in his footsteps and take to the stage.
Andrew Vicari
The highest-paid living artist.
A very famous international painter who was born in Port Talbot, April 20, 1938.He is the official painter for Interpol and the King and Government of Saudi Arabia, public recognition of his talent began at the National Eisteddfod. Some of Mr.Vacari's early work can be seen at the Rhos Afan Welsh Primary School, on the Sandfields Estate, where a mural featuring pupils and staff was painted by him more than 40 years ago.
Lord Howe of Aberavon
He was a senior Conservative politician.
Geoffrey Howe was born in 1926 at Port Talbot. He was the longest survivor of Margaret Thatcher's original 1979 cabinet, successively holding the posts of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and finally Leader of the House of Commons and Deputy Prime Minister.
He was also instrumental in Britain joining the EU.
Ivor Emmanuel
Opera star who led the rendition of 'Men of Harlech' in the film 'Zulu'
Ivor Emmanuel was born in 1929 in Pontrhydyfen a small village on the outskirts of Port Talbot. He began his singing career at two local operatic societies, but a successful audition for the hit show "Oklahoma" took him from Port Talbot and Wales. He then went on to perform West End musicals. His famous television series "Land of Song" spanned seven years. A Royal Command performance and a part in the film "Zulu" led to Broadway and the musical "How green was my valley”.
Rebecca Evans
World famous leading soprano opera star.
Rebecca is also from the village of Pontrhydyfen near Port Talbot. She has performed at many of the world's most famous opera houses including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and played a number of major roles with the Welsh National Opera Company. A Grammy Award winning artist she has also established a major operatic career in America.
Michael Sheen
Is a famous actor who has acted in Hollywood, on Broadway and in the West End as well as TV.
Michael Sheen moved to Port Talbot, where his family was from, at the age of eight. He went to Glanafan Comprehensive School and joined West Glamorgan Youth Theatre when he was fourteen years old and later the National Youth Theatre of Wales.
Paul Potts
Paul is a famous worldwide classical opera singer.
He shot to fame after singing Nessun Dorma for the judges of the ITV1 show Britain's Got Talent. Paul was born 1971 in Bristol and has lived in Port Talbot since childhood. He first sang opera at the age of 28 when he dressed as Pavarotti at a karaoke event. Paul has always loved singing and in 1999 he appeared in Michael Barrymore's My Kind Of Music and won £8,000, which he spent on singing courses in Italy. He worked in unpaid opera productions from 1999 to 2003, however he suffered a burst appendix, a benign tumour and a broken collarbone in 2003 which brought an end to his amateur opera career. But despite not having sung for four years he entered the first series of ITV's Britain's Got Talent and went on to win it. From there he has gone on to worldwide acclaim as a outstanding classical tenors. His newfound fame gave him the opportunity to move from his modest terraced house in Edward Street Port Talbot to a large 1930s art-deco style mansion on Baglan Road.