Rhys Ifans is a Welsh actor and musician with an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2025. He has been acting for over 30 years and is best known for his beloved roles in Notting Hill and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), and most recently as Otto Hightower in the HBO series House of the Dragon. Additionally, ifans has remained a figure in the Welsh music scene, performing with Super Furry Animals and co-founding the band The Peth.
Early Life and Education
Rhys Ifans was born on July 22, 1967, in Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He was raised by his parents (who were teachers) in Ruthin, North Wales, along with his younger brother, Llŷr Ifans (also an actor). They would later briefly share the screen in the Welsh cult classic Twin Town (1997).
Ifans has immersed himself in performance from an early age, which included attending Theatr Clwyd, and had done postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he graduated in 1997. Prior to achieving international recognition, he also had a Welsh children’s television show on S4C which helped develop his in-screen charisma. Career Highlights
Breakout Role in Notting Hill
Ifans burst onto the world stage in 1999 as eccentric roommate Spike in the film Notting Hill, starring alongside Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. His hilarious and memorable performance earned him a BAFTA nomination and made him immensely popular.
Hollywood and Villain Roles
In the 2000s and 2010s, Ifans’s résumé continued to grow and included a number of significant roles:
Frank Nitti in The Untouchables (1999)
Jed Parry in Enduring Love (2004)
Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
He also starred in critically acclaimed dramas: Anonymous, Greenberg, and The Boat That Rocked.
Television Success
Ifans also had a solid television career, including:
Mycroft Holmes in CBS’s Elementary (2013–2014)
Hector DeJean in Berlin Station (2016–2019)
Otto Hightower in HBO’s House of the Dragon (2022–present), a role that turned him into a fan favorite in the prequel of Game of Thrones.
Music Career
Before Hollywood fame, Ifans performed with Super Furry Animals (who later became known as Super Furry Animals and the Pets). This also indicates Ifans’s creativity and ability to dabble in other areas. Awards and Recognition
Rhys Ifans has received several accolades throughout his career, including:
BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor (Not Only But Always, 2005)
Sian Phillips Award from BAFTA Cymru (2005)
Empire Award nomination for Enduring Love
Teen Choice Award nomination for The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Jury Prize for Best Actor at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Last Call, 2017)
Personal Life
Ifans’ personal life has received considerable media attention. He was in a relationship with actress Sienna Miller from 2007 to 2008 and subsequently, he was in a relationship with actress Anna Friel from 2011 to 2014. His Hollywood fame has not in any way affected his ties to Wales; rather, ifans is quite committed to his Welsh heritage and has been known to support Welsh cultural initiatives and work.
In addition to acting, he has also engaged in some activism, notably as a patron of the Welsh-language version of Wikipedia and for his work involved with Shelter Cymru’s campaign against homelessness in Wales.
FAQs About Rhys Ifans
What is Rhys Ifans’ net worth?
As of 2025, the estimated net worth of Rhys Ifans is approximately \$5 million.
What part made Rhys Ifans famous?
Rhys Ifans shot to international fame with his role as Spike, the eccentric roommate in the highly successful 1999 movie Notting Hill.
Did Rhys Ifans play in a Marvel movie?
Yes. He played Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and reprised his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
Is Rhys Ifans in House of the Dragon?
Yes. He has been playing Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, in HBO’s House of the Dragon.
Was Rhys Ifans in a band?
Yes. He played with Super Furry Animals and also co-founded a Welsh Rock band The Peth.
