The mystery is described in one of the musician's songs
Richard Burton was born Richard Walter Jenkins Jr. on November 10, 1925 in the small village of Pontrhydyfen in Glamorgan. He was the twelfth of 13 children born into a Welsh-speaking family.
Burton grew up to become one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, both as a formidable Shakespearean actor in the 1950s, and later as a Hollywood screen actor. His turbulent relationship with Elizabeth Taylor nourished many a gossip column, as did his capacity for drinking. He died sober but exhausted aged just 58, and was buried in Switzerland along with a copy of Dylan Thomas' poems.
Thomas John Woodward, known professionally as Tom Jones, was born on June 7, 1940 in the village of Treforest in the south-east of Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
His international singing career began in the 1960s, and to date he has sold over 100 million records worldwide. His hits include 'It's Not Unusual,' 'Green, Green Grass of Home,' and 'Sex Bomb.' Jones performed regularly in Las Vegas and became great pals with Elvis Presley. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 for services to music.
Philip Anthony Hopkins was born on New Year's Eve, 1937, in Port Talbot, Glamorgan. Poor academically, Hopkins was inspired to act by Welsh compatriot Richard Burton, whom he met at the age of 15.
Hopkins is the recipient of multiple accolades including an Academy Award, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. His role as Hannibal Lecter in 'Silence of the Lambs' (1991) was mentioned for its "terrifying qualities" by several critics. In 1993, Hopkins was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts.
Born in Swansea on September 25, 1969, Catherine Zeta-Jones was raised in the suburban area of Mumbles. As a youngster, her rendition of a Shirley Bassey song won her a junior talent competition. By her early teens she was appearing on stage in musicals at the Swansea Grand Theatre.
Zeta-Jones enjoyed success on British television in the period comedy-drama series 'The Darling Buds of May' from 1991 to 1993. Her breakthrough performance after relocating to Los Angeles was in 'The Mask of Zorro' (1998), starring alongside fellow Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins as well as Antonio Banderas. Bigger and better film roles followed, plus marriage to Michael Douglas in 2000.
Michael Sheen was born on February 5, 1969 in the city of Newport, Monmouthshire. He grew up in part in the village of Llanmartin and later in Baglan, Neath Port Talbot.
Sheen cut his teeth in theater before finding wider fame in movies, including 'The Queen' (2006) in which he played British Prime Minister Tony Blair to great acclaim, and 'Frost/Nixon' (2008), portraying television broadcaster David Frost.
Born Rhys Owain Evans on July 22, 1967 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Rhys Ifans' first language is Welsh.
Stints working in Welsh language television programs and later on stage led to more work in movies, notably 'Notting Hill' (1999) and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1' (2010). American television audiences will recognize him from the CBS series 'Elementary,' and from 2016 to 2019 as Hector DeJean on the US pay-cable Epix network's CIA espionage thriller 'Berlin Station.'
Christian Charles Philip Bale hails from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. He was born on January 30, 1974, to English parents.
Shirley Veronica Bassey was born on January 8, 1937 in Tiger Bay, Cardiff. At school, teachers and students noticed the young Bassey's strong voice.
Born John Price on June 1, 1947 in the small village of Carmel in Flintshire, Jonathan Pryce studied art and later trained to be a teacher before treading the boards as a stage actor.
Today, Jonathan Pryce is acclaimed in film as mush as he is in theater, and indeed television. In 2019, he earned his first Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Pope Francis in 'The Two Popes' (2019), in which he costars alongside fellow Welshman Anthony Hopkins.
Garnant in Carmarthenshire is the unlikely hometown of John Davies Cale, who was born there on March 9, 1942 and went on to become a founding member of American rock band the Velvet Underground. His mother spoke and taught Welsh to Cale, and he only began learning English at primary (elementary) school.
The Velvet Underground was formed in 1964 by multi-instrumentalist Cale, singer/guitarist Lou Reed, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise. The band is regarded as one of the most influential in rock music history. Cale himself is one of the most acclaimed artists in the industry.
William Stanley Baker was born into a coal mining family in Ferndale, Glamorgan on February 28, 1928. He grew up believing he'd be either a boxer or a coal miner. But after befriending actor Richard Burton, Baker pursued a career in film and television.
A lead role in 'Hell Drivers' (1957), and a supporting role in 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961) led to perhaps his most acclaimed role as Colonel John Chard in 'Zulu' (1964). The film, which introduced cinema audiences to a young Michael Caine, is narrated during the opening and closing credits by Richard Burton himself. Baker was awarded a knighthood in 1976, but succumbed to cancer before the investiture ceremony.
The seaside resort of Colwyn Bay in Denbighshire is where Timothy Leonard Dalton Leggett, better known as Timothy Dalton, comes from. He was born there on March 21, 1946.
After appearing in theater, the aspiring actor worked in television, mainly with the BBC, before venturing into film. He's known, of course, for playing James Bond twice, in 'The Living Daylights' (1987) and 'Licence to Kill' (1989). But he was approached as early as 1968 by Bond producers to portray 007 in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (1969). Dalton declined, thinking that he was too young, and that Sean Connery was too good.
Coincidentally, the late Monty Python member Terry Jones, full name Terence Graham Parry Jones, was also born in Colwyn Bay in Denbighshire. The Jones family moved to Surrey, England when Terry was four.
Terry Jones was writing for and performing in several high-profile British television comedies before creating 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' with Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Terry Gilliam. Jones, who was also a respected medieval historian, received a Lifetime Achievement award at the BAFTA Cymru Awards (the Welsh branch of BAFTA) in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to television and film.
Luke George Evans was born on April 15, 1979 in the town of Pontypool, in Torfaen. He was brought up, however, in Aberbargoed, a small village in the Rhymney Valley.
From 2000 to 2008, Evans starred in several hugely successful London West End stage shows. His breakthrough movie role was playing the Greek god Apollo in the 2010 remake 'Clash of the Titans.' He has since appeared in many action and thriller films, among them 'Fast & Furious 6' (2013).
Born David Ivor Davies in Cardiff, Glamorgan on January 15, 1893, Ivor Novello as he later called himself was a Welsh composer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century.
Novello's name is forever associated with the Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, established in 1955. Past recipients of this prestigious accolade include John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and Amy Winehouse.
Dylan Marlais Thomas was born in Swansea on October 27, 1914. Although Thomas wrote exclusively in the English language, he has been acknowledged as one of the most important Welsh poets of the 20th century.
Appreciated as a popular poet in his lifetime, Thomas, noted for his original, rhythmic and ingenious use of words and imagery, found fame in Britain and the United States. But his erratic behavior fueled by excessive drinking led to severe health issues. He died in New York City aged just 39.
Sources: (BBC) (Wales Arts Review) (Ivors Academy)
See also: Celebrities reveal their favorite poems
Bassey began her career in the early 1950s: in 1959 she became the first Welsh artist to gain a no. 1 single with 'As I Love You.' By the mid-'60s, Bassey was a singing sensation, with the now-famous title song to the James Bond movie 'Goldfinger' (1965) cementing her superstar status. In December 1999, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to entertainment. She continues to record and perform.
Wales has produced some of the world's most famous stars of stage and screen. The country has also given us renowned singers, musicians, and entertainers. Indeed, this tiny nation is big on talent. But how many celebrities do you know who are truly Welsh, those who were actually born in the country?
Click through the following gallery and be surprised by these well-known names who hail from Wales.
Celebrities who hail from Wales
Welsh wonders of stage and screen
CELEBRITY Entertainers
Wales has produced some of the world's most famous stars of stage and screen. The country has also given us renowned singers, musicians, and entertainers. Indeed, this tiny nation is big on talent. But how many celebrities do you know who are truly Welsh, those who were actually born in the country?
Click through the following gallery and be surprised by these well-known names who hail from Wales.