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 nearby Coventry.
Many famous people grew up in the West Midlands city which has plenty to offer. It’s steeped in history as is known with many historical attractions such as the Coventry Transportation Museum and cathedral. Coventy has also been a major centre of the British motor industry over the years and was awarded UK City of Culture in 2021.
And the city is also known for its prestigious football club, Coventry City. The Sky Blues won the FA Cup in 1987, the club’s only major trophy, when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2.
A number of actors, sportspeople and musicians all come from the area. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who are from Coventry - let’s take a look:
1. Clive Owen
The Hollywood star was born in Coventry. He received critical acclaim for his work in the film Close My Eyes before earning international attention for his performance as a struggling writer in the 1998 film Croupier. Owen was also nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the 2004 drama Closer
2. Terry Hall
The late Specials frontman was also born in Coventry. The legendary Ska band’s single ‘Too Much Too Young” the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1981, the recession-themed single ‘Ghost Town’ also hit No. 1 in the UK. The band were also formed in Coventry
3. Guz Khan
The Coventry-born comedian and actor is best known for his work in the TV show Man Like Mobeen and his stand up appearances in Live at the Apollo Photo: Stuart C. Wilson
4. Nigel Hawthorne
Nigel Hawthorne CBE (left) is known for his stage acting and his portrayal of Sir Humphrey Appleby, the permanent secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. For this role, he won four BAFTA TV Awards for Best Light Entertainment Performance. Photo: PA