by Keith Lewis-Jones
Plaque sited at Bryn Street, Twynyrodyn, CF47 0TG
Born Phillip Jones near Merthyr Tydfil, he attended Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School, where he was a member of the cricket and rugby teams and displayed talent as a linguist. He then studied languages at the University of Wales and the University of Vienna. He eventually spoke seven languages, including Russian and Swedish, and had a working knowledge of Huron Indian, Hindi and Mandarin.
He worked as an interpreter, but became disenchanted with having to translate for politicians: “I did dry-as-dust jobs like political interpreting. You get to despise politicians when you have to translate the rubbish they spout.” He then switched to acting and won a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Philip Madoc performed many stage, television, radio and film roles. On television, he played David Lloyd George in The Life and Times of David Lloyd George and the lead role in the detective series A Mind to Kill. His guest roles included multiple appearances in the cult series The Avengers and Doctor Who, as well as a famous episode of the sitcom Dad’s Army.
What an amazing man, with such a thirst for knowledge and experiences. I think I have a Madoc in my Ceri/Kerry family history chart.
A very interesting man. Apart from his acting and linguistic ability, he also used to ‘holiday’ in Albania when it was a destination not many people would even entertain the idea of visiting. He was proud of his Welsh roots too.
My father Alan and uncle Stanley Normanton were childhood friends of Philip Madoc as they all lived in Bryn Street, Twynyrodyn.
My father actually still lives there and from stories I understood they all also went to Queens Road school in Penyard.
My Nan knew Philip Madoc as she too lived in Twynyrodyn. I thought he was a great Actor. At one time he