Bristol is a city famous around the world for its music scene, growing street art culture and the iconic suspension bridge. The accommodation in the city is second to none, especially PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Bristol, but we may be biased! It’s also a place that some of the world’s biggest and most well-known stars call home. Famous people from Bristol come in many forms, from authors & actors to artists & comedians. Here are 5 home-grown icons you may not know are from Bristol.
1. Cary Grant
Born in Horfield, approximately 50 minutes away from our aparthotel in Bristol, Cary Grant is possibly one of the most famous Bristolians. He was born in 1904 and lived his life as one of the best-loved actors of all time. His first job was in the Bristol Hippodrome as a ‘gofor’ fetching refreshments and doing odd jobs. Cary got his big break in went on to star in over 70 movies (tame by today’s standards but huge in the early 1900s!) until he died at the ripe old age of 82. In 2001, Bristol unveiled a Cary Grant statue in Millennium Square by the Harbourside to mark the 70th anniversary of his arrival to Hollywood.
2. J K Rowling
Another icon of our time that you may not know is from Bristol is the inimitable J K Rowling. Joanna Rowling, better known by her pen name JK, is the UK’s best-selling living author and one of the most influential women in Britain. She is most well-known for the Harry Potter books and franchise but also notably donates a huge percentage of her fortune to charitable causes. Born in Yate, 30 minutes from PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Bristol, she took a lot of inspiration for the books from neighbours (The Potters) and place names (Dursley) around the city.
3. Damien Hirst
Bristol-born Damien Hirst is one of the most influential artists of our time with his work dominating the British art scene for most of the 1990s. His work encompasses many themes and topics, most of which explore the complex relationships between art, religion, science, life and death. Hirst is reportedly the UK’s richest living artist with his wealth valued at approximately £215m. In 2011, a 22ft iconic Damien Hirst statue called ‘Charity’ was displayed on the top of the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol depicting a young girl holding a charity box and teddy with her leg in a brace.
4. Banksy
From a famous artist to a completely unknown creator, Banksy – the world-famous yet unidentified street artist also originated in Bristol. Although his identity is not officially known, most of the talented artist’s works started on the streets of Bristol and evolved to the multi-million pound art-works they are today. Hollywood A-listers and celebrities are some of the top collectors of his work, paying hundreds of thousands per piece, even if they’re half shredded! You can take a Banksy inspired walking tour in Bristol and one of the famous pieces ‘well-hung lover’ is just 10-minutes’ walk from your aparthotel in Bristol
5. Lee Evans
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved and highest-selling British stand-ups known for his flamboyant and sweaty style of on-stage performance. Born in Avonmouth, Bristol, Lee Evans started in showbiz following his entertainer father around the working-men’s clubs and theatre circuit. He had his first headline show in 1994 and from then went from strength to strength, eventually selling out arenas in the blink of an eye. He has also starred in blockbuster movies, musicals and theatre shows throughout his career. He recently retired from comedy, saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife and family.
Join the many famous people from Bristol and walk our streets taking inspiration from the gorgeous city that surrounds you. If you love Bristol as much as we do, you’ll want to stay somewhere central on your next visit to make the most of the many restaurants, bars, attractions and cultural places in the city. PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Bristol offer fantastic value for money compared to a traditional hotel stay.
