# List of people from Cardiff

Cardiff (/ˈkɑːrdɪf/ ; Welsh: Caerdydd Welsh pronunciation:) is the capital and largest city of Wales. Many notable people were born in Cardiff or share a strong association with the city, ranging from historical figures such as Henry Morgan to more recent figures such as Roald Dahl, Ken Follett and Griff Rhys Jones. In particular, the city has been the birthplace of international sportsmen and women, including Olympic athletes such as Paulo Radmilovic, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Colin Jackson. Many professional and international footballers, such as Craig Bellamy, Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs and Joe Ledley, and former managers of the Wales national football team Terry Yorath and John Toshack were born in Cardiff, as were a number of international rugby union and rugby league players including Frank Whitcombe, Billy Boston, Gareth Llewellyn and Colin Dixon.
Cardiff is also well known for its musicians such as Ivor Novello, after whom the Ivor Novello Awards are named. Shirley Bassey is familiar to many as the singer of three James Bond movie theme tunes, while Charlotte Church is famous as a crossover classical/pop singer, and Shakin' Stevens was one of the top selling male artists in the UK during the 1980s. A number of Cardiff-based bands, such as Catatonia and the Super Furry Animals, were popular during the 1990s.

## Art and literature

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Danny Abse | 1923 | 2014 | Poet and writer | Born in Cardiff |
| Gillian Clarke | 1937 | — | Poet, was named the third National Poet of Wales in 2008 | Born in Cardiff |
| Roald Dahl | 1916 | 1990 | Author of works such as James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox and The BFG | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Peter Finch | 1947 | — | Poet, author of works such as Real Cardiff, Real Wales, Edging The Estuary, and Zen Cymru | Born in Cardiff |
| Ken Follett | 1949 | — | Author of works such as The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and World Without End | Born in Cardiff |
| Esther Grainger | 1912 | 1990 | Artist | Born in Cardiff |
| Goscombe John | 1860 | 1952 | Sculptor, specialising in public monuments and statues of public figures | Born in Canton, Cardiff |
| Bobi Jones | 1929 | — | Welsh language academic and writer, former chair in Welsh language at Aberystwyth University | Born in Cardiff |
| Rob Lacey | 1962 | 2006 | Actor and author of The Word on the Street | Born in Cardiff |
| Gwyneth Lewis | 1959 | — | First National Poet of Wales, wrote the words which appear on the front elevation of the Wales Millennium Centre | Born in Cardiff |
| Helen Mackay | 1897 | 1973 | Artist, sculptor | Born in Cardiff |
| Brian Morris | 1930 | 2001 | Poet, critic, professor of literature, and former education spokesman in the House of Lords | Born in Cardiff |
| Robert Morton Nance | 1873 | 1959 | Cornish language author | Born in Cardiff |
| Pixie O'Harris | 1903 | 1991 | Poet, author, broadcaster, artist, illustrator and designer | Born in Cardiff |
| Joan Oxland | 1920 | 2009 | Artist | Born and lived in Cardiff |
| Michael Raven | 1938 | 2008 | Author | Born in Cardiff |
| Bernice Rubens | 1928 | 2004 | Author of works such as Madame Sousatzka, The Elected Member (winner of the 1970 Booker Prize) and A Solitary Grief | Born in Cardiff |
| Alfred Sisley | 1839 | 1899 | Impressionist painter: one of the original French Impressionists, though he himself was British; produced seventeen paintings of Penarth and the Gower in 1897 | Married in Cardiff Register Office in 1897; two of his Welsh paintings are in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff |
| Howard Spring | 1889 | 1965 | Author of works such as Fame Is the Spur and My Son, My Son! | Born in Cardiff |
| Thomas E. Stephens | 1886 | 1966 | Painter, specialising in portraits of American political and military figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower | Born in Cardiff |
| R. S. Thomas | 1913 | 2000 | Poet, nominated for the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature | Born in Cardiff |
| Margaret Lindsay Williams | 1888 | 1960 | Portrait painter | Born in Cardiff |
| D. B. Wyndham-Lewis | 1891 | 1969 | Writer, biographer and editor, co-wrote the screenplay for The Man Who Knew Too Much | Lived in Cardiff since childhood |

## Business and finance

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Lewis Lougher | 1871 | 1955 | Established his own shipping company, became chairman of a large number of shipping companies in Cardiff, Penarth and Barry, chairman of the federation of Bristol Channel shipowners, and chairman of the Cardiff Chamber of Trade; former Member of Parliament for Cardiff East and Cardiff Central | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Michael Moritz | 1954 | — | Venture capitalist and former director of Google | Born in Cardiff |
| Howard Stringer | 1942 | — | Chairman and former president and CEO of Sony Corporation | Born in Cardiff |
| Christopher J. Yorath | 1879 | 1932 | Engineer, urban planner, president of three Canadian utility companies | Lived in Cardiff since childhood |

## Entertainment

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Peter Baynham | 1963 | — | Screenwriter and comedy writer, was involved in works such as I'm Alan Partridge, Brass Eye, Monkey Dust, and Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan | Born in Cardiff |
| Emily Burnett | 1997 | – | Television and stage actress who has appeared in The Dumping Ground, So Awkward and Hollyoaks | Born in Cardiff |
| Shirley Dynevor | 1933 | 2023 | Actress who has appeared in Charlesworth, Rogue Male and The Wednesday Play | Born in Cardiff |
| Helen M. Grace | 1974 | — | Film director and screenwriter, directed Are You Ready for Love? | Born in Cardiff |
| Lauren Harries | 1978 | — | Television celebrity, first appeared on Wogan in 1988 | Lived in Cardiff since early childhood |
| Polly James | 1986/7 | — | Radio and TV presenter | Born in Cardiff |
| Gethin Jones | 1978 | — | Television and radio presenter, presented Blue Peter from 2005 to 2008 | Born in Cardiff |
| Richard Marquand | 1938 | 1987 | Film director, involved in works such as Return of the Jedi, Jagged Edge and Hearts of Fire | Born in Llanishen, Cardiff |
| Terry Nation | 1930 | 1997 | Television scriptwriter, creator of the Daleks | Born in Cardiff |
| Robin Nedwell | 1946 | 1999 | Film, television and stage actor, involved in works such as Doctor in the House, The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Vault of Horror | Lived in Cardiff since childhood |
| Tessie O'Shea | 1914 | 1995 | Stage actress and entertainer, involved in works such as The Girl Who Came to Supper, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming and Bedknobs and Broomsticks | Born in Cardiff |
| Peter Philp | 1920 | 2006 | Television presenter, dramatist and antiques expert, wrote Castle of Deception | Born in Cardiff |
| Mathew Pritchard | 1973 | — | Professional skateboarder, part of the Dirty Sanchez crew, made regular appearances on Balls of Steel | Born in Cardiff |
| Angharad Rees | 1949 | 2012 | Film, stage and television actress, involved in works such as Poldark, The Gathering Storm, The Avengers and Under Milk Wood | Lived in Cardiff since childhood |
| Iwan Rheon | 1985 | — | Film and television actor, singer-songwriter, involved in works such as Pobol y Cwm, Misfits and Game of Thrones | Lived in Cardiff since childhood |
| Matthew Rhys | 1974 | — | Film and television actor, involved in works such as Brothers & Sisters, The Edge of Love and The Americans | Born in Cardiff |
| Griff Rhys Jones | 1953 | — | Comedian, writer and actor, involved in works such as Not the Nine O'Clock News, Alias Smith and Jones and Morons from Outer Space | Born in Cardiff |
| Lisa Rogers | 1971 | — | Television presenter, involved in works such as The Big Breakfast, Scrapheap Challenge and Loose Women | Born in Cardiff |
| Stan Stennett | 1925 | 2013 | Comedian, actor and jazz musician, involved in works such as Coronation Street, Crossroads and Casualty | Born in Cardiff |
| Honeysuckle Weeks | 1979 | — | Television actress, involved in works such as Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Born in Cardiff |
| Perdita Weeks | 1985 | — | Television and film actress, involved in works such as Spice World, The Prince and the Pauper and The Tudors | Born in Cardiff |
| Clifford Williams | 1926 | 2005 | Stage actor and director, involved in works such as The Duchess of Malfi, As You Like It and Antony and Cleopatra | Born in Cardiff |
| Peter Wingfield | 1962 | — | Film and television actor, best known for his role as Methos in Highlander: The Series | Born in Grangetown, Cardiff |

## Historical figures

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Anne de Beauchamp | 1444 | 1449 | 15th Countess of Warwick | Born in Cardiff |
| Henry Morgan | c. 1635 | 1684 | Pirate and Admiral of the English Navy | Born in Caerau, Cardiff |
| Archibald Dickson | 1892 | 1939 | Captain of the SS Stanbrook | Born in Caerau, Cardiff |

## Journalism

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Stephen Bayley | 1951 | — | Author and critic for The Observer, GQ and Car Magazine | Born in Cardiff |
| Jeremy Bowen | 1960 | — | Journalist and television presenter, Middle East Editor for the BBC since 2005 | Born in Cardiff |
| Lynn Bowles | 1963 | — | Radio reporter for BBC Radio 2 | Born in Splott, Cardiff |
| Hugh Cudlipp | 1913 | 1998 | Newspaper journalist, former chairman of Mirror Group Newspapers | Born in Cathays, Cardiff |
| Guto Harri | 1966 | — | Former television news correspondent for S4C and BBC Wales, Director of Communications at News International since May 2012 | Born in Cardiff |
| John Humphrys | 1943 | — | Television and radio presenter, journalist, main presenter for the BBC's Nine O'Clock News from 1981 to 1987 | Born in Splott, Cardiff |
| Hugh Johns | 1922 | 2007 | Football commentator for ITV and HTV Wales, commentated on four World Cup finals including the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final | Lived in Cardiff from childhood |
| Jason Mohammad | 1975 | — | Television and radio presenter of BBC Wales Today and BBC Radio Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Chris Morgan | 1952 | 2008 | Television and newspaper journalist for BBC Wales, BBC Radio 4, Thames News and The Sunday Times | Born in Cardiff |
| Lucy Owen | 1970 | — | Television presenter for HTV Wales, ITV News and BBC News | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Jon Ronson | 1967 | — | Documentary journalist, author of Them: Adventures with Extremists and The Men Who Stare at Goats, film maker and radio presenter | Born in Cardiff |

## Military

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Frederick Barter | 1891 | 1952 | Served in World War I with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, recipient of the Victoria Cross | Born in Cardiff |
| Mick Flynn | 1960 | — | Served with the Blues and Royals in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, the Bosnian War, the Second Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan, recipient of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and the Military Cross | Born in Cardiff |
| Jeff Linton | 1909 | 1989 | Served with the Royal Artillery in World War II, attained the rank of Brigadier, recipient of the Distinguished Service Order; played cricket for Glamorgan and Egypt as a right-arm medium-fast bowler | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Thomas Mathews | 1676 | 1751 | Admiral of the Royal Navy, served in the Caribbean, Queen Anne's War, the East Indies, the War of the Quadruple Alliance and the War of the Austrian Succession | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Robert Shields | 1827 | 1864 | Served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Crimean War, recipient of the Victoria Cross | Born in Cardiff |

## Music
### Performers

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Shirley Bassey | 1937 | — | Singer of works such as "Goldfinger", "Big Spender" and "Diamonds Are Forever" | Born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff |
| Andy Bell | 1970 | — | Singer-songwriter, member of Oasis, Ride, Hurricane No. 1 and Beady Eye | Born in Cardiff |
| Wally Bishop | 1894 | 1966 | Band leader and impresario, commonly known by the stage name Waldini | Born in Cardiff |
| Charlotte Church | 1986 | — | Classical and pop singer of works such as Voice of an Angel, "The Opera Song (Brave New World)" and "Crazy Chick", presenter of The Charlotte Church Show | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Steffan Cravos | 1975 | — | Welsh-language rapper, member of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci | Born in Cardiff |
| Sonny Double 1 | 1992 | — | Rapper | Born in Cardiff |
| Dave Edmunds | 1944 | — | Singer and record producer, member of Love Sculpture, Rockpile and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band | Born in Cardiff |
| Dyfed Wyn-Evans | 1969 | — | Baritone opera singer, has performed for companies such as the Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, English Touring Opera and Opera North | Born in Cardiff |
| Maureen Evans | 1940 | — | Singer with Waldini's (real name Wallace ' Wally ' Bishop) Gypsy Band, performed works such as "The Big Hurt" and "Like I Do" | Born in Cardiff |
| Patti Flynn | 1937 | 2020 | Jazz singer | Born in Cardiff |
| Green Gartside | 1955 | — | Singer-songwriter, lead singer of Scritti Politti | Born in Cardiff |
| Frank Hennessy | 1947 | — | Folk singer, member of The Hennessys and radio presenter on BBC Radio Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Paul Carey Jones | 1974 | — | Baritone opera singer, has performed for companies such as the Scottish Opera and Northern Ireland Opera, and has been involved in works such as Man on the Moon, The Lighthouse and Nixon in China | Born in Cardiff |
| Donna Lewis | 1973 | — | Pop singer, performed works such as Now in a Minute, "I Love You Always Forever" and "At the Beginning" | Born in Cardiff |
| Cerys Matthews | 1969 | — | Singer-songwriter, lead singer of Catatonia, performed works such as "Mulder and Scully", "The Ballad of Tom Jones" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" | Born in Cardiff |
| Clara Novello Davies | 1861 | 1943 | Singer, teacher and conductor, mother of Ivor Novello | Born in Cardiff |
| Ivor Novello | 1893 | 1951 | Composer, singer and actor, after whom the Ivor Novello Awards are named | Born in Cardiff |
| Idloes Owen | 1894 | 1954 | Singer, composer and conductor, founder of the Welsh National Opera | Based in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Pino Palladino | 1957 | — | Bass guitarist with The Who | Born in Cardiff |
| Shakin' Stevens | 1948 | — | Rock and roll singer and songwriter, performed works such as "This Ole House", "Green Door" and "Merry Christmas Everyone" | Born in Ely, Cardiff |
| Noel Sullivan | 1980 | — | Pop singer and stage actor, member of Hear'Say | Born in Cardiff |
| Pepsi Tate | 1965 | 2007 | Bass guitarist with Tigertailz, and television director | Lived and worked in Cardiff |
| Blue Weaver | 1947 | — | Keyboard player with Amen Corner, Fair Weather and Strawbs, songwriter and record producer | Born in Cardiff |
| Waldini (Wallace ' Wally ' Bishop) | 1894 | 1966 | Gypsy Violin Band; All Female Band Leader; Singer's Accompanist, (Maureen Evans) | born in cardiff |

### Bands

| Name | Formed | Disbanded | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Amen Corner | 1966 | 1969 | Rock band, performed works such as "Gin House Blues", "Bend Me, Shape Me" and "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" | Formed in Cardiff |
| Budgie | 1967 | — | Hard rock / heavy metal band, produced works such as "Breadfan" | Formed in Cardiff |
| Catatonia | 1992 | 2001 | Alternative rock band, produced works such as "Mulder and Scully", "Road Rage" and "Dead from The Waist Down" | Formed in Cardiff |
| Future of the Left | 2005 | — | Post-hardcore rock band, produced works such as Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires and The Plot Against Common Sense | Formed in Cardiff |
| Kids in Glass Houses | 2003 | 2014 | Rock band, produced works such as Dirt and In Gold Blood | Formed in Cardiff |
| Love Sculpture | 1966 | 1970 | Blues-rock band, produced works such as "Summertime", "Wang Dang Doodle" and "Sabre Dance" | Formed in Cardiff |
| Los Campesinos! | 2006 | — | Indie-pop band, produced works such as Romance Is Boring and Hello Sadness | Formed at Cardiff University |
| Super Furry Animals | 1993 | — | Psychedelic rock band, produced works such as "If You Don't Want Me to Destroy You", "The Man Don't Give a Fuck" and "Northern Lites" | Formed in Cardiff |
| The Hennessys | 1967 | — | Folk music band | Formed in Cardiff |
| The Hot Puppies | 2000 | — | Rock group, produced works such as Under the Crooked Moon | Based in Cardiff |
| The Oppressed | 1981 | — | Oi! anti-fascist band | Formed in Cardiff |
| Underworld | 1980 | — | Electronic / trance band, produced works such as "Born Slippy", "Pearl's Girl" and "Caliban's Dream" | Formed in Cardiff |

## Politics and law

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Leo Abse | 1917 | 2008 | Former Member of Parliament for Pontypool and Torfaen, noted for promoting private member's bills to decriminalise male homosexual relations and liberalise the divorce laws | Born in Cardiff |
| Celia Barlow | 1955 | — | Former Member of Parliament for Hove | Born in Cardiff |
| Donald Box | 1917 | 1993 | Stockbroker and former Member of Parliament for Cardiff North | Born in Cardiff |
| Stephen Doughty | 1980 | — | Former member of male a cappella group Out of the Blue, Member of Parliament for Cardiff South and Penarth since 2012 | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Maurice Edelman | 1911 | 1975 | Novelist and former Member of Parliament for Coventry West and Coventry North West | Born in Cardiff |
| Seymour Farmer | 1878 | 1951 | 30th Mayor of Winnipeg, Canada and leader of the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation from 1936 to 1947 | Born in Cardiff |
| Paul Flynn | 1935 | — | Member of Parliament for Newport West since 1987 | Born in Cardiff |
| Cheryl Gillan | 1952 | — | Member of Parliament for Chesham and Amersham since 1992 | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Meredydd Hughes | 1958 | — | Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police from 2004 to 2011 | Born in Cardiff |
| Greville Janner | 1928 | 2015 | British Labour Party politician, writer and alleged child abuser | Born in Cardiff |
| Jonathan Morgan | 1974 | — | Former Assembly Member for Cardiff North | Born in Tongwynlais, Cardiff |
| Julie Morgan | 1944 | — | Former Member of Parliament for Cardiff North, and Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North since 2011 | Born in Cardiff |
| Rhodri Morgan | 1939 | 2017 | Former First Minister for Wales, leader of Welsh Labour, Assembly Member for Cardiff West and Member of Parliament for Cardiff West | Born in Cardiff |
| Edward V. Robertson | 1881 | 1963 | Former United States Senator for Wyoming | Born in Cardiff |
| Alfred Thomas | 1840 | 1927 | Former Member of Parliament for East Glamorganshire | Born in Penylan, Cardiff |
| David William Thomas | 1876 | 1961 | Lawyer, publisher, professor, mayor of Minden, Louisiana, USA from 1936 to 1940 | Born in Cardiff |
| Owen John Thomas | 1939 | — | Former Assembly Member for South Wales Central | Born in Roath, Cardiff |

## Religion

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff | Ref |
| Martyn Lloyd-Jones | 1899 | 1981 | Protestant Christian minister, influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century | Born in Cardiff | |
| Roger Royle | 1939 | — | Anglican vicar, presenter of the Sunday Half Hour on BBC Radio 2 between 1991 and 2007 | Born in Splott, Cardiff | |

## Science, technology and medicine

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Wilfred Abse | 1914 | 2005 | Psychoanalyst, professor of psychiatry at the University of Virginia from 1962 until 2000 | Born in Cardiff |
| Matthew Bevan | 1976 | — | Hacker and computer consultant, arrested in 1996 for hacking into secure US government networks under the handle "Kuji" | Born in Cardiff |
| Brian David Josephson | 1940 | — | Physicist, professor, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 for the prediction of the Josephson effect | Born in Cardiff |
| Judith M. Lumley | 1941 | — | Perinatal epidemiologist | Born in Cardiff |
| Ernest Willows | 1896 | 1926 | Pioneering aviator and airship builder, noted for building the Willows airships | Born in Cardiff |

## Sport
### Association football

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Brian Attley | 1955 | — | Footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Swansea City and Derby County | Born in Cardiff |
| Lee Baddeley | 1974 | — | Footballer, played for Cardiff City and Exeter City | Born in Cardiff |
| Colin Baker | 1934 | — | International footballer, played for Cardiff City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Gareth Bale | 1989 | — | International footballer, youngest ever Wales international, has played for Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. In the 2020-21 season he was loaned back to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. | Born in Cardiff |
| Phil Bater | 1955 | — | Footballer and manager, played for teams such as Bristol Rovers, Wrexham and Cardiff City | Born in Cardiff |
| Craig Bellamy | 1979 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Norwich City, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Cardiff City, former captain of Wales | Born in Trowbridge, Cardiff |
| Jackie Benyon | c.1910 | 1937 | Footballer, played for Doncaster Rovers and Aberdeen | Born in Cardiff |
| Tony Bird | 1974 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Cardiff City, Swansea City and Kidderminster Harriers | Born in Cardiff |
| Nathan Blake | 1972 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Paul Bodin | 1964 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Swindon Town and Wales; youth team manager at Swindon Town since 2008 | Born in Cardiff |
| Nigel Boulton | 1953 | — | Footballer and manager, head coach of men's soccer team at William Carey University since 2003 | Born in Cardiff |
| Giorgio Chinaglia | 1947 | 2012 | Footballer, played for teams such as Swansea City, Lazio and New York Cosmos | Lived in Cardiff during childhood |
| David Cotterill | 1987 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Bristol City, Sheffield United, Swansea City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Ernie Curtis | 1907 | 1992 | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Wales, member of Cardiff City's 1927 FA Cup winning team | Born in Cardiff |
| Arron Davies | 1984 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Yeovil Town, Nottingham Forest, Exeter City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Len Davies | 1899 | 1945 | International footballer, played for Cardiff City, Thames and Wales | Born in Splott, Cardiff |
| Nick Deacy | 1953 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as PSV Eindhoven, Hull City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Bob Delgado | 1949 | — | Footballer, played for teams such as Rotherham United, Chester City and Port Vale | Born in Cardiff |
| Steve Derrett | 1947 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Rotherham United, Newport County and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Phil Dwyer | 1953 | — | International footballer, played for Cardiff City and Wales, holds the club's all-time appearance record | Born in Cardiff |
| Jermaine Easter | 1982 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Wycombe Wanderers, Milton Keynes Dons, Crystal Palace and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Herbie Evans | 1894 | 1982 | International footballer, played for Cardiff City, Tranmere Rovers and Wales; also played cricket for Glamorgan | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Len Evans | 1903 | 1977 | International footballer, played for teams such as Aberdare Athletic, Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Wales | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Phil Evans | 1980 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Bidvest Wits and South Africa | Born in Cardiff |
| Chris Fry | 1969 | — | Footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Hereford United and Colchester United | Born in Cardiff |
| Ryan Giggs | 1973 | — | International footballer, has played for Manchester United since 1990, former Wales captain, most decorated player in British football history; son of Danny Wilson | Born in Canton, Cardiff |
| David Giles | 1956 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Martyn Giles | 1983 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Cardiff City and Newport County | Born in Cardiff |
| Ryan Green | 1980 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Hereford United, Bristol Rovers and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Simon Haworth | 1977 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic, Tranmere Rovers and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Ken Hollyman | 1922 | 2009 | Footballer, played for Cardiff City and Newport County | Born in Cardiff |
| Joe Jacobson | 1986 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town | Born in Cardiff |
| Paul James | 1961 | — | International footballer and coach, played for teams such as Toronto Blizzard and Canada | Born in Cardiff |
| Fred Keenor | | 1972 | International footballer, played for Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra and Wales, captain of Cardiff City's 1927 FA Cup winning team | Born in Cardiff |
| Joe Ledley | 1987 | — | International footballer, has played for Cardiff City, Celtic and Wales | Born in Fairwater, Cardiff |
| Arthur Lever | 1920 | 2004 | International footballer, played for Cardiff City, Leicester City, Newport County and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Tarki Micallef | 1961 | — | Footballer, played for Cardiff City, Newport County and Bristol Rovers | Born in Grangetown, Cardiff |
| Kaid Mohamed | 1984 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town | Born in Cardiff |
| Aaron Morris | 1989 | — | Footballer, has played for Cardiff City, Newport County and Aldershot Town | Born in Rumney, Cardiff |
| Kurt Nogan | 1970 | — | Footballer, played for teams such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley and Preston North End; younger brother of Lee Nogan | Born in Cardiff |
| Lee Nogan | 1969 | — | International footballer, has played for teams such as Oxford United, Watford, Reading and Wales; elder brother of Kurt Nogan | Born in Cardiff |
| John Parsons | 1950 | — | Footballer, played for Cardiff City, A.F.C. Bournemouth and Newport County | Born in Cardiff |
| Chris Pike | 1961 | — | Footballer, played for teams such as Fulham, Cardiff City and Gillingham | Born in Cardiff |
| Howard Pritchard | 1958 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Bristol City, Swindon Town, Gillingham and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Gil Reece | 1942 | 2003 | International footballer, played for teams such as Sheffield United, Cardiff City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Christian Roberts | 1979 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Exeter City, Bristol City and Swindon Town | Born in Cardiff |
| Phil Roberts | 1950 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth, Exeter City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Peter Rodrigues | 1944 | — | International footballer, played for Cardiff City, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and Wales, captain of Southampton's 1976 FA Cup winning team | Born in Cardiff |
| Peter Sayer | 1955 | — | International footballer, played for teams such as Cardiff City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Preston North End and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Damon Searle | 1971 | — | Footballer, has played for teams such as Cardiff City, Carlisle United and Southend United | Born in Cardiff |
| Katie Sherwood | 1986 | — | International footballer, has played for Cardiff City Ladies, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Bristol Academy, Chelsea and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Fred Stansfield | 1917 | 2014 | International footballer and manager, played for Cardiff City, Newport County and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Ron Stitfall | 1925 | 2008 | International footballer, played for Cardiff City and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| John Toshack | 1949 | — | International footballer and manager; played for Cardiff City, Liverpool, Swansea City and Wales; managed teams such as Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Wales, Beşiktaş and Macedonia | Born in Cardiff |
| Terry Yorath | 1950 | — | International footballer and manager, played for teams such as Leeds United, Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur and Wales; managed teams such as Swansea City, Wales and Lebanon; father of television presenter Gabby Logan | Born in Grangetown, Cardiff |

### Athletics

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Steve Barry | 1950 | — | Athlete specialising in race walking, won a gold medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games; won the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award in 1982 | Born in Cardiff |
| Matthew Elias | 1979 | — | Athlete specialising in the 400 metres, won two silver medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2002 European Athletics Championships | Born in Cardiff |
| Tanni Grey-Thompson | 1969 | — | Paralympic athlete and television presenter; won sixteen Paralympic medals (including eleven golds), held over thirty world records and won the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002; was made a life peer in 2010 | Born in Cardiff |
| Colin Jackson | 1967 | — | Athlete who specialised in 110 metres hurdles and 60 metres hurdles; won a silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics, and eleven gold medals in the World Championships, World Indoor Championships, European Championships, European Indoor Championships and Commonwealth Games; held the world record for the 110 metre hurdles for over ten years, and has held the world record for the 60 metre hurdles since 1994; younger brother of actress Suzanne Packer | Born in Cardiff |
| John McFall | 1981 | — | Paralympic athlete specialising in the T42 class 100 metres and 200 metres; won a bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympics and two gold medals at the 2008 IWAS World Games | Based in Cardiff |
| Rhys Williams | 1984 | — | Athlete specialising in the 400 metres hurdles; won a gold medal at the 2012 European Athletics Championships | Based in Cardiff |

### Boxing

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Dennis Avoth | 1947 | — | Boxer, former Welsh Heavyweight Championship; younger brother of Eddie Avoth | Born in Cardiff |
| Eddie Avoth | 1945 | — | Boxer and actor, former British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight champion; elder brother of Dennis Avoth | Born in Cardiff |
| Gary Buckland | 1986 | — | Professional super featherweight and lightweight boxer, won the 2010 Prizefighter series, British super featherweight champion since 2011 | Born in Rumney, Cardiff |
| Jim Driscoll | 1880 | 1925 | Former British and Commonwealth featherweight champion, first recipient of the featherweight Lonsdale Belt | Born in Newtown, Cardiff |
| Joe Erskine | 1934 | 1990 | Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion | Born in Butetown, Cardiff |
| Jack Petersen | 1911 | 1990 | Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion | Born in Cardiff |
| Nicky Piper | 1966 | — | Former WBA Intercontinental and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight champion | Born in Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff |
| Steve Robinson | 1968 | — | Former WBO Featherweight Champion, named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year in 1994 | Born in Cardiff |

### Cricket

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Trevor Arnott | 1902 | 1975 | Right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan, Marylebone Cricket Club, Monmouthshire and Wales | Born in Radyr, Cardiff |
| Pat Brain | 1896 | 1945 | Wicket-keeper, played for Glamorgan | Born in Caerau, Cardiff |
| Mike Cann | 1965 | — | Left-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler, played for Glamorgan, Orange Free State, Griqualand West, Boland and the Impalas | Born in Cardiff |
| Frank Clarke | 1936 | — | Right-arm fast-medium bowler, played for Glamorgan | Born in Heath, Cardiff |
| John Davis | 1939 | — | Left-arm orthodox spin bowler, played for Glamorgan; elder brother of Roger Davis | Born in Whitchurch, Cardiff |
| Roger Davis | 1946 | — | All-rounder and right-arm off break bowler, played for Glamorgan; younger brother of John Davis | Born in Whitchurch, Cardiff |
| John Glover | 1989 | — | Right-arm medium-fast bowler, has played for Glamorgan since 2011 | Born in Cardiff |
| Ralph Hancock | 1887 | 1914 | Right-handed batsman, played for Somerset | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Ernie Harris | 1919 | 1996 | Right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, played for Glamorgan | Born in St Fagans, Cardiff |
| Eustace Hill | 1869 | 1933 | Right-handed batsman, played for Somerset; elder brother of Vernon Hill | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Evelyn Hill | 1907 | 1953 | Right-arm fast bowler, played for Somerset; served in the Somerset Light Infantry in World War II, attained the rank of lieutenant colonel | Born in Cardiff |
| Mervyn Hill | 1902 | 1948 | Wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman, played for Somerset and Glamorgan | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Vernon Hill | 1871 | 1932 | Right-arm fast-medium bowler, played for Somerset; younger brother of Eustace Hill | Born in Llandaff, Cardiff |
| Gwyn Hughes | 1941 | — | Right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, played for Glamorgan | Born in Mynachdy, Cardiff |
| Tom Maynard | 1989 | 2012 | Right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan and Surrey | Born in Cardiff |
| Niel Morgan | 1904 | 1985 | Right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler, played for Glamorgan and Wales | Born in Cyncoed, Cardiff |
| Trevil Morgan | 1907 | 1976 | Left-handed batsman, right-arm medium pace bowler and occasional wicket-keeper, played for Glamorgan and Wales | Born in Cyncoed, Cardiff |
| Hugh Morris | 1963 | — | Left-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan and England; managing director of the England cricket team since 2007 | Born in Canton, Cardiff |
| Ricky Needham | 1951 | — | Left-handed batsman, right-arm medium-pace bowler and occasional wicket-keeper, played for Glamorgan | Born in Canton, Cardiff |
| Michael Newbold | 1970 | — | Right-handed batsman, played for Wales Minor Counties | Born in Cardiff |
| Aneurin Norman | 1991 | — | Right-arm medium pace bowler, has played for Glamorgan since 2011 | Born in Cardiff |
| Jim Pleass | 1923 | — | Right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan | Born in Cardiff |
| George Reed | 1906 | 1988 | Left-arm fast-medium bowler, played for Glamorgan | Born in St Fagans, Cardiff |
| John Riches | 1920 | 1999 | Right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan | Born in Cathays, Cardiff |
| Norman Riches | 1883 | 1975 | Right-handed batsman, right-arm medium bowler and occasional wicket-keeper, played for Glamorgan, Wales and Marylebone; in 1921, he became the first Glamorgan batsman to pass a thousand runs in first-class cricket | Born in Cardiff |
| Billy Spiller | 1886 | 1970 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, Pontypridd and Wales; also played cricket for Glamorgan as a right-handed batsman; in 1921, he became the first player to score a century for Glamorgan in first-class cricket | Born in St Fagans, Cardiff |
| Cecil Spiller | 1900 | 1974 | Right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, played for Glamorgan | Born in Cardiff |
| Jamie Sylvester | 1971 | — | Right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler, played for Berkshire, Herefordshire and Wales Minor Counties | Born in Cardiff |
| Ryan Sylvester | 1975 | — | Right-handed batsman, played for Herefordshire and Wales Minor Counties | Born in Cardiff |
| Harry Symonds | 1889 | 1945 | Left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, played for Glamorgan and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Cyril Tamplin | 1921 | — | Wicket-keeper, played for Glamorgan and Bengal | Born in Cardiff |
| Tom Taylor | 1911 | 1970 | Right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan | Born in Cardiff |
| Maurice Turnbull | 1906 | 1944 | International cricket and rugby union player; right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan and England, captained Glamorgan for ten seasons; played rugby for teams such as Cardiff, London Welsh and Wales; served in the Welsh Guards in World War II, attained the rank of major | Born in Cardiff |
| Huw Waters | 1986 | — | Right-arm medium pace bowler, has played for Glamorgan since 2005 | Born in Cardiff |
| Alan Wilkins | 1953 | — | Left-arm medium pace bowler, played for Glamorgan and Gloucestershire; commentator for SABC, BBC Wales and ESPN STAR Sports | Born in Rhiwbina, Cardiff |

### Cycling

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Reg Braddick | 1913 | 1999 | International road cyclist, founder of Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club, represented Wales in the 1938 British Empire Games | Born in Cardiff |
| Paul Esposti | 1972 | — | Cyclist for Team Legacy Energy, finished 5th in the Road Race at the 1998 Commonwealth Games | Born in Cardiff |
| Geraint Thomas | 1986 | — | Cyclist for Team Sky, has won two Olympic gold medals and three World Championship gold medals, has competed in three Tours de France and two Giros d'Italia. Won the 2018 Tour de France. | Born in Whitchurch, Cardiff |
| Luke Rowe | 1990 | __ | Cyclist for Team Sky, finished first in Stage 1 Tour of Britain in 2012 and has enjoyed success at a range of events including third place in the Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne cobbled classic in 2017. Has competed in three Tours de France and two Vuelta a España. | Born in Cardiff |

### Rugby

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Cory Allen | 1993 | — | Rugby union player, has played for Cardiff Blues since 2011 | Born in Cardiff |
| Gareth Baber | 1972 | — | Rugby union player and coach, has played for teams such as Cardiff, Pontypridd and Newport Gwent Dragons, former head coach of Cardiff Blues | Born in Cardiff |
| Billy Boston | 1934 | — | International rugby league player, played for Wigan and Great Britain, member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame and the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame | Born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff |
| Harry Bowcott | 1907 | 2004 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, London Welsh, London Wasps and Wales, served as president of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1974–75 | Born in Cardiff |
| Aled Brew | 1986 | — | International rugby union player, has played for teams such as Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons, Biarritz Olympique and Wales; younger brother of Nathan Brew | Born in Cardiff |
| Nathan Brew | 1982 | — | International rugby union player, has played for teams such as Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Wales; elder brother of Aled Brew | Born in Cardiff |
| John Alf Brown | 1881 | 1936 | International rugby union player, played for St Peters, Cardiff and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Percy Bush | 1879 | 1955 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, Wales and British Isles | Born in Cardiff |
| Chris Czekaj | 1985 | — | International rugby union player, has played for Cardiff, Cardiff Blues and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Colin Dixon | 1943 | 1993 | International rugby league player, played for Halifax, Salford, Wales and Great Britain | Born in Butetown, Cardiff |
| Steve Ford | 1965 | — | International rugby union player, played for Cardiff and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Reggie Gibbs | 1882 | 1938 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, the Barbarians and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Hugh Ingledew | 1865 | 1937 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, the Barbarians and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Gareth Llewellyn | 1969 | — | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Neath, Harlequins, Bristol and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Matthew Robinson | 1973 | — | International rugby union player, played for Swansea and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Nicky Robinson | 1982 | — | International rugby union player, has played for teams such as Cardiff Blues, Gloucester, London Wasps and Wales; younger brother of Jamie Robinson | Born in Cardiff |
| Billy Spiller | 1886 | 1970 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Cardiff, Pontypridd and Wales; also played cricket for Glamorgan as a right-handed batsman; in 1921, he became the first player to score a century for Glamorgan in first-class cricket | Born in St Fagans, Cardiff |
| Clive Sullivan | 1943 | 1985 | International rugby league player, played for teams such as Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Wales and Great Britain | Born in Cardiff |
| Maurice Turnbull | 1906 | 1944 | International cricket and rugby union player; right-handed batsman, played for Glamorgan and England, captained Glamorgan for ten seasons; played rugby for teams such as Cardiff, London Welsh and Wales; served in the Welsh Guards in World War II, attained the rank of major | Born in Cardiff |
| Nigel Walker | 1963 | — | International athlete and rugby union player; represented Great Britain at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the 110 metre hurdles; played for Cardiff and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Frank Whitcombe | 1913 | 1958 | International rugby union and rugby league player; played for teams such as Cardiff, London Welsh, Broughton Rangers, Bradford Northern, Wales and Great Britain; brother of George Whitcombe, father of Brian Whitcombe and Frank Whitcombe Jr, and grandfather of Martin Whitcombe | Born in Grangetown, Cardiff |
| Derek Williams | 1924 | 2014 | International rugby union player, played for Cardiff and Wales | Born in Cardiff |
| Johnny Williams | 1882 | 1916 | International rugby union player, played for teams such as Newport, Cardiff and wales | Born in Whitchurch, Cardiff |

### Other sports

| Name | Born | Died | Description | Connection with Cardiff |
| Mark Andrews | 1992 | – | Professional wrestler for WWE; winner of TNA British Boot Camp | Born in Cardiff |
| Ian Barker | 1966 | — | Sailor, won a silver medal in the 49er class at the 2000 Summer Olympics | Born in Cardiff |
| David Broome | 1940 | — | International show jumper; won bronze medals at the 1960 and 1968 Summer Olympics, two World Championship gold medals, and four European Championship gold medals | Born in Cardiff |
| Phil Hill | 1982 | — | Ice hockey player, has played for Cardiff Devils, Sheffield Steelers and Great Britain | Born in Cardiff |
| Stevie Lyle | 1979 | — | Ice hockey player, has played for teams such as Cardiff Devils, Belfast Giants and Basingstoke Bison | Born in Cardiff |
| Ted Peterson | 1916 | 2005 | Wales international baseball player and former chairman and president of the Welsh Baseball Union | Born in Canton, Cardiff |
| Paulo Radmilovic | 1886 | 1968 | Water polo player and swimmer, won four gold medals at the 1908, 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games | Born in Cardiff |
| Nathan Walker | 1994 | – | Ice hockey player, has played for National Hockey League (NHL) teams such as the Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, and currently plays for the St. Louis Blues | Born in Cardiff |
| George Whitcombe | 1902 | 1986 | Footballer and Wales international baseball player; brother of Frank Whitcombe, uncle of Frank Whitcombe Jr, and great-uncle of Martin Whitcombe | Born in Grangetown, Cardiff |