Damian Watcyn Lewis was born on 11th February 1971 in St John's Wood, London, to Charlotte Mary (Bowater) and John Watcyn Lewis, a City insurance broker. He was educated at Eton College and trained as an actor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He first came to wide attention playing Soames Forsyte in the ITV adaptation of 'The Forsyte Saga' (2002), and reached international prominence as Major Richard Winters in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks's HBO mini-series 'Band of Brothers' (2001). He went on to win a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his role as Nicholas Brody in the American series 'Homeland' (2011-2013), and later starred in 'Billions' (2016-2023) and 'Wolf Hall' (2015, 2024).
Lewis's Welsh connection comes through his father's family. John Watcyn Lewis's own parents were Welsh, and the family kept a farmhouse near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, which Damian Lewis has visited throughout his life and describes as an important part of his upbringing. He has spoken of considering himself "London Welsh," reflecting a family identity that spans his London upbringing and his father's Carmarthenshire roots.
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British actor known for Band of Brothers and Homeland
Damian Lewis
Actor with a Welsh family
His father, John Watcyn Lewis, came from a Welsh family with a farmhouse near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
Lewis is married to the actress Helen McCrory, with whom he had two children; McCrory died in 2021. He has continued to work extensively in film, television and theatre, including a Tony-nominated Broadway run in 'American Buffalo' and the title role in 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light'.
Damian has described himself as "London Welsh."
Career Highlights
Played Major Richard Winters in Band of Brothers (2001)
Won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for playing Nicholas Brody in Homeland (2011-2013)
His father's Welsh family kept a farmhouse near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
ℹ️ Born 11th February 1971, St John's Wood, London, England.
His father, John Watcyn Lewis, came from a Welsh family with a farmhouse near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
From: Harryk9
Born in London, has a Welsh father. He has a house in Carmarthenshire and family connections there.