1. Tom Jones
Tom Jones, the nation's heartthrob, is without a doubt one of Wales's most famous and talented singers. Sex Bomb, Green, Green Grass of Home, She's a Lady, and Delilah is among his most popular songs. He has recently become a familiar face on our screens as a judge on The Voice UK. He was born in the South Wales town of Treforest, Pontypridd. It wasn't long after Gordon Mills became his manager that he released the number one hit, It's Not Unusual, which went to number one in the UK.
2. Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl, the famous author who has cemented his name in the imaginations of children all over the world, was born in Llandaff, Cardiff. His books are famous for capturing unique characters, usually children, as they embark on adventures unlike any other. They are illustrated by Quentin Blake. His best-known works include Matilda, The Twits, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, among many others. Following Olivia's tragic death from measles at the age of seven, he dedicated his book The BFG to his late daughter and named the main character Sophie after his other daughter.
3. Aneurin Bevan
Aneurin Bevan was a Welsh Labour Party politician born in the South Wales Valleys town of Tredegar. He is best known for establishing the National Health Service in 1946, which nationalized over 2,500 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Because of the passage of this act, residents of Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland now have access to affordable healthcare.
4. Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones is a national treasure among Gavin and Stacey and Stella fans. She is arguably one of the best female Welsh actresses of all time. She co-starred in and co-wrote the drama series, Gavin and Stacey, with actor James Corden, for which she received a BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Screenwriter. She returned with her Gavin and Stacey co-stars for the 2017 Christmas Special, which left viewers stunned by the episode's cliffhanger. With no plans to continue the series, the screenwriter has left fans wondering whether James Corden's character Smithy will accept Nessa's (Ruth Jones) proposal.
5. Aaron Ramsey
A man who doesn't need an introduction, Aaron Ramsey, born in Caerphilly, is a well-known Welsh footballer who has played for Cardiff City, Arsenal, and the Welsh and British national teams. When he plays, he is best known for his role as a midfielder. He demonstrated an early talent for football while attending Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni. He also has a lesser-known passion for wildlife and conservation, and he is an avid supporter of the World Wildlife Fund.
6. Sian Reese-Williams
Sian Reese-Williams is a well-known Welsh actress, best known for her role as Gennie Walker in Emmerdale until 2013. She is also known for her recent starring role as DI Cadi John in BBC's thriller drama Craith. She has also appeared in several other TV shows, including Line of Duty, Hinterland, Requiem, Silent Witness, and, most recently, Holby City as Jodie. She spent the majority of her childhood in Brecon before moving to South London when her acting career took off. She speaks Welsh fluently and has appeared on S4C's 35 Diwrnod.
7. Alex Jones
Alex Jones is best known as one of the hosts of The One Show, a chat show that he co-hosted with Matt Baker and other guests. She also hosts the TV show Shop Well For Less and appeared in the ninth series of the popular Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. She is a patron of the Kidney Wales Foundation and was honored for her contribution to Welsh culture at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Powys in August 2015, when she was elected to the Gorsedd of Bards.
8. Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen is a 52-year-old Welsh actor who has appeared in a variety of films and stage productions, including Romeo and Juliet (1992) and most recently as Chris Tarrant in ITV's coughing scandal drama Quiz (2020). He recently made headlines for returning his OBE, and he is also known as a political activist in addition to his on-screen projects. He is also a patron of many charities, including the NSPCC's Child's Voice Appeal. He was born in Newport, married his current wife, Anna Lundberg, in 2019, and they have two children.
9. Saunders Lewis
Before his death in 1985, Saunders Lewis was well known as a poet, historian, literary critic, and, above all, a political activist. He is credited with being one of the founding members of the National Party of Wales, or Plaid Cymru, as it is more commonly known today. He is also infamous for being one of three men who set fire to an RAF bombing school in Gwynedd in 1936, which was described as one of the "watershed moments in modern Welsh history." He is still regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the protection of the Welsh language in 2021.
10. Kate Roberts
Kate Roberts was born in Rhosgadfan, North Wales, on February 3, 1891. Because of her short stories written during the twentieth century, she became known as 'Brenhines ein Llên,' or 'Queen of Our Literature in English. Her presence in the Welsh literary world has elevated her to the status of a feminist icon among female authors, and her short stories are considered a national treasure. Traed mewn Cyffion, Te yn yn Grug, Ffair Gaeaf, and O Gors y Bryniau are a few of her more well-known works.
11. Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of Wales' most well-known and successful actresses. Catherine began her career as a child actress and went on to establish herself in the American film industry with roles that highlighted her sex appeal. She has received numerous honors. She is also a well-known humanitarian who was awarded the CBE for her humanitarian and film efforts.
12. Gareth Bale
Gareth Frank Bale, the charismatic Welsh footballer player, played for Southampton football club and Tottenham Hotspur before joining Real Madrid in 2013 for a fee that surpassed Christiano Ronaldo's previous record fee. Gareth Bales, known for his speed and accuracy, is the captain of Wales' national team and currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Real Madrid.
13. Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins is a well-known Welsh actor best known for his portrayal of a cannibalistic serial killer in the film The Silence of the Lambs. His portrayal earned him prestigious awards as well as a spot on the list of the best villains of all time. Other notable films starring the celebrated character actor include Remains of the Day, Nixon, and Amistad.
14. Ryan Giggs
The Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs has had a successful 24-year senior playing career with Manchester United and has also served as their interim coach. With the club, he has won 13 Premier League titles and was the first player to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
15. Luke Evans
Luke Evans is one of Wales' most successful and well-known actors. He released his debut studio album, At Last, in 2019. He studied music under the tutelage of an established singing coach named Louise Ryan. Luke Evans is an inspiration to the gay community all over the world because he is openly gay.
16. Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce is arguably the most well-known Welsh actor of all time. Pryce, known for his versatility, has made significant contributions across all three major acting mediums: film, television, and theatre. Pryce is best known for his work in theatre and is a two-time Tony Award winner. Jonathan Pryce was awarded a CBE for services to drama in the 2009 Birthday Honors.
17. Ioan Gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd is a Welsh actor best known for his roles in films such as 102 Dalmatians, Black Hawk Down, and San Andreas. Ioan Gruffudd, an accomplished oboist, and singer during his adolescence gave up music to pursue a career as an actor.
18. Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell was a Nobel laureate and a British polymath. His work has had a significant impact on philosophy, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, linguistics, and logic, among other fields. Russell is also regarded as one of the founders of analytic philosophy and is credited with leading the revolt against idealism in Britain.
19. Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton is an award-winning actor best known for portraying real-life icons in biopics such as Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman. Egerton is also known for his singing abilities and has appeared in a few music videos. Taron Egerton is outspoken about sensitive issues such as misogyny and is a supporter of the LGBT community.
20. Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey is arguably the most famous Welsh singer of all time. Shirley Bassey is well-known for recording the theme songs for popular James Bond films such as Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, and Goldfinger. She was awarded a DBE in 2000 for her contributions to the performing arts.