Happy Birthday actor Iwan Rheon

Born: May 13, 1985 in Carmarthen, Wales, UK

Quotes:

I wasn’t, you know, Mr Popular. I was somewhere in the middle ground. I was quite alternative, the things I liked to do. Skateboarding, at the time. Playing in a band as opposed to playing in the rugby team. You know, that kind of thing.

I must come across as this terrible neurotic case with issues, I keep getting cast that way.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a rock star, not an actor. It means I can do what I want on my own terms.

I’ve always been into music like from a very young age, and I’ve always played guitar and written songs and all that – and I love it, but the way it’s all turned out in my life…the acting’s sort of taken the leading role if you like. So it’s turned out like that…which I quite like because it means I can do the music in my spare time and write and record stuff. And if anyone wants to listen to it that’s great. It’s very much a no pressure thing.

I don’t really feel that famous. I think I lead quite a normal life with the occasional something a bit different. I like getting on the train and normal stuff like doing the dishes, because you can so easily lose your mind in this world where everything’s done for you, you get picked up, driven to things, given stuff for free and all that madness.

[on leaving Misfits] I think I wanted to do something else. At the end of the second series it was different because I wasn’t obliged anymore contractually. I went to the producers and asked “What are you going to do, where is my character going?” I think I already had in my mind that I’d do one more series and leave because although I love it and I’m grateful for the opportunity it’s given me. I’m going to have to do something else: new challenges and all that malarkey.

I’m still secretly a bit of a punk. Love The Clash and a bit of the Pistols. I guess as I’ve got older I’ve chilled out a bit. But, my teenage angst is still stirring somewhere!