Bristol continues to surprise us with its wealth of talent as we delve into our latest picture gallery of famous faces, this time from the north west of Bristol and the market town of Thornbury.
Featuring some of the best schools in the region, it’s perhaps not a surprise to see so many young people go on and achieve big things. But there are also some success stories from those who have had a more challenging upbringing.
This picture gallery follows our look at famous people from south Bristol and Keynsham, east Bristol and Yate and Weston-super-Mare. As always, if you think we’ve missed a name, or two, just email us at [email protected]
1. David Prowse, actor
Arguably cinema’s most iconic villain was born in Bristol. David Prowse MBE, who sadly died in 2017, was born in 1935 and grew up in Southmead while attending Bristol Grammar School before going on to have success as an actor, bodybuilder and weightlifter. Photo: Carlos Alvarez
2. Hannah Murray, actor
Hannah Murray was born in Bristol and attended North Bristol Post 16 Centre and was a member of the Bristol Old Vic Young Company. She appeared on Skins as Cassie Ainsworth and went onto the West End before starring as Gilly in the second and third seasons of Game of Thrones.
3. Alice Roberts, professor and television presenter
Alice Roberts was born in Bristol in 1973 and grew up in Westbury-on-Trym, attending The Red Maid’s School. She went to the University of Wales College of Medicine and graduated in 1997. She’s went on to do a PhD in palaeopathology, before becoming a lecturer at Bristol university, and then the Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham. She’s been on television as the human bone specialist on Channel 4’s Time Team and has presented Digging for Britain as well as The Incredible Human Journey.
4. Lee Evans, comedian
The sweaty comedian was born in Lawrence Weston before moving to Essex. He writes in his autobiography ‘The Life Of Lee’: “Lawrence Weston was, to say the least, rough and ready. We were the dispossessed, continually ducking and diving in a generally hopeless attempt to make ends meet. We were trying to get by – by any means necessary.”