The West Midlands boasts some seriously talented exports, from movie stars and musicians to world class football players.
Recently, we’ve had a look at the famous faces - actors, musicians and even politicians - who were raised in and around Birmingham. Now, we’ve decided to take a look at the famous celebrities who grew up in the south of the city: Kings Norton and Northfield.
Many famous people grew up in the Birmingham districts which have plenty to offer. Kings Norton is steeped in history and has many historical attractions such as the St Nicolas’ Church, and the beautiful Kings Norton Park. There are also a number of top schools in the area.
Northfield was also a centre of the Midlands nail making industry during the 19th century and home to both the Kalamazoo paper factory and the Austin motor company’s Longbridge factory in the 20th century. The northern reaches of Northfield also fall within the Bournville model village, and the southern housing estates of Northfield were originally built by Austin Motors for their workforce.
A number of actors, sportspeople and other famous faces all come from the areas. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who are from Kings Norton and Northfield, including those who were born in the areas, as well as those who have lived there at some point during their lifetime.
Let’s take a look:
1. Adrian Lester CBE
Lester was born in Birmingham and attended the Archbishop Masterson’s School which was in Northfield. He is the recipient of a Laurence Olivier Award, a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award and an Evening Standard Theatre Award for his work on stage. Lester has also been in dozens of films and television shows, including ‘Trigger Point’, ‘Merlin’, ‘Hustle’, ‘Spider-Man 3’, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’, and ‘Doomsday’. Photo: ITV
2. Alan Napier
The Kings Norton born actor (pictured far right) had a long film career in Britain and later, in Hollywood. Napier is best remembered for portraying Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s butler in the 1960s live-action Batman television series. He also performed in two Shakespearean films: the Orson Welles Macbeth and MGM’s Julius Caesar.
3. Ayo Akinwolere
Ayo Akinwolere is a British TV personality best known for presenting Blue Peter. Born in Nigeria, Akinwolere attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Kings Norton Photo: Tim P. Whitby
4. Bill Mason
Also born in Kings Norton, Mason was an English documentary film maker and scriptwriter. His son, Nick Mason, became the drummer of Pink Floyd. A filmmaker and amateur racing car driver, because of a lifelong passion for motor sports Bill Mason specialized in observing them as a maker of documentary films Photo: Wikipedia