Ioan was born in Cardiff, Wales, UK. His parents, Peter and Gillian Gruffudd, were educators.

He has a brother, Alun, who is two years younger and a sister, Siwan, who is 7 years younger.

He attended the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts from 1992 to 1995, but was then cast as "Poldark" in the popular British TV series Poldark.


Man and Boy (2002): £ 150,000

Shared a flat in London with old friend and fellow Welsh actor Matthew Rhys. He learned Yiddish for his role in the film Solomon and Gaenor (1999). Won the BBC Radio Cymru Showbusnesan Award for Best Actor (March 28, 2001). An associate member of RADA. First language is Welsh. Parents were teachers. Grandparents ran a local amateur drama society in Cardiff. Has a younger brother, Alun and a younger sister, Siwan. Best friend is Matthew Rhys. Was invited to and accepted into Gorsedd y Beirdd Ynys Prydain (the Welsh Bardic Order of Great Britain) at the highest rank in the National Eisteddfod at Meifod in 2003, with the bardic name Ioan. Met his wife, actress Alice Evans, on the set of 102 Dalmatians (2000), although at the time she was romantically involved with Pablo Picasso's grandson, Olivier. Has a younger brother, Alun & a younger sister, Siwan. Ioan and wife Alice are parents of a girl named Ella Betsi Janet (b. September 6th 2009).