2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
The most Wikipedia-searched people in and around Newport
A People Map of the UK is an online graphic by The Pudding where 'city names are replaced by their most Wikipedia'ed resident: people born in, lived in, or connected to a place.'
Due to their fame, some celebrities appear in various locations on the map.
For example, Winston Churchill appears to be the most Wikipedia-searched person from both Bristol and Woodstock.
Who is the most famous person from Newport?
According to the People Map, Michael Sheen is the most famous person from Newport and appears over Port Talbot too.
The award-winning actor has starred in films such as The Queen and The Special Relationship.
This was after Sheen had various stage roles in Romeo and Juliet, Don't Fool with Love and Henry V.
More recently, a documentary called Michael Sheen's Secret Million Pound Giveaway was aired on Channel 4 on March 10, 2025.
The show explained how debt-buying practices work, why people are vulnerable to debt spirals and showed how Sheen helped write off £1,000,000 of debt for 900 people in South Wales.
Utilising £100,000 of his own money by spending two years setting up a debt acquisition company, Sheen was applauded by for his 'Robin-hood' like behaviour.
However, this wasn't the first time Sheen displayed altruistic behaviour.
In January 2025, he launched a new national theatre for Wales named Welsh National Theatre after the National Theatre Wales was forced to shut due to the company's funding from the Arts Council of Wales getting cut.
What about surrounding areas?
Here is a list of the most famous celebrities in areas around Newport:
Alfred, Lord Tennyson - Caerleon
Harry Harris - Magor
Ian Virgo – Caldicot
Owain Yeoman – Chepstow
Danny Gabbidon – Cwmbran
Roy Jenkins – Pontypool
Alfred Russell Wallace – Usk
William ap Thomas – Raglan
Joe Calzaghe – Newbridge
Henry Morgan – Abergavenny
