Background: Ioan Gruffudd was born October 6, 1973 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, and is a Welsh actor. His parents, Peter and Gillian Gruffudd, were teachers. He has two siblings—a brother, Alun, who is two years younger, and a sister, Siwan, who is seven years younger than he is. The popular Welsh name Ioan is an equivalent of John, and Gruffudd corresponds to the Anglicized Griffiths.

Ioan Gruffudd

Audiences may remember him for his roles in 102 Dalmatians, ITV's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga, Black Hawk Down, King Arthur (as Lancelot) and most recently Fantastic Four.

My conversation with Ioan Gruffudd was short. But he impressed me as humble and modest, not too dissimilar from the character that he plays. He told me the principal filming (production) took three months and that he really tried to focus on doing the best he could. Unfortunately, my recorder malfunctioned during our talk; but happily the most essential part of our talk together came through.

David: You were also in Blackhawk Down.

Ioan: Yes, but it was a very small part.

David: I love your British accent. It fits your role in Amazing Grace so well.

Ioan: Yes, thank you.

David: Amazon.com lists the song “Amazing Grace” as the most recorded song currently available. What is there about the song that makes it so popular?

Ioan: It is about discovering truth. It is about being blind and then coming to see.

David: What do you hope people will walk away with from movie?

Ioan: We hope people will be inspired. I hope it will inspire young people to stand alone, if need be, for justice, against racism and bigotry. I hope the film will be more than just entertainment. I hope it is educational and an instrument of change. It shows that a person can change history.

David: And that was the essence of Wilberforce.

Ioan: Yes, it was. We need to be inspired by him again.