Famous People Connected To Newport
Our list of famous people who have a connection to Newport on the Isle of Wight, is expanding all the time. They may have been born here, raise here, lived here or have a strong connection with Newport.
If you are a family member of someone notable we have not included yet, do get in touch via the 'contact us' page.
Craig Douglas
Craig Douglas, born Terry Perkins on 12th August 1941 in Newport, Isle of Wight, was a British pop singer who gained fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He is best known for his hit single “Only Sixteen,” which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1959. His smooth voice and boyish charm made him a popular figure during the early rock and roll era. Douglas had several other hits, including “Pretty Blue Eyes” and “A Teenager in Love.” He was often compared to American teen idols of the time and was a regular on television music shows.
George Westmore
George Westmore, born George Henry Westmore on 27th June 1879 in Newport, Isle of Wight, trained as a hairdresser but later became a pioneering figure in film, setting up the first ever first movie makeup department in Hollywood. George Westmore’s pioneering work in makeup and wig-making set the stage for many Hollywood stars to shine including Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn. His innovative work significantly influenced the film industry and he created a style called the Mary Pickford signature curls, a defining feature of her image, and contributed significantly to her popularity at the time.
Marius Goring
Marius Goring, born on 23rd May 1912 in Newport, Isle of Wight, was a distinguished English stage and screen actor. From a young age Marius was captivated by the theatre and, encouraged by his parents, made his professional stage debut in 1927 at the age of 15. He appeared in many famous films of the time in the 1940’s and 50’s including British films A matter of Life or Death with David Niven in 1946, The Red Shoes in 1948, and Pandora & the Flying Dutchman with Ava Gardner and James Mason in 1951. In the late 1960s to early 1960s, he starred in the BBC TV series The Expert.
Antonia Ellis
Antonia Marie Ellis, born in Newport on 30th April 1944, starred as Lieutenant Joan Harrington in Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1970 sci-fi TV series UFO. Stationed on SHADO's Moonbase, part of Earth's secret defence against alien incursions, she appeared in 13 episodes wearing an iconic silver uniform and purple wig. Her character was very much pioneering of women in command roles within sci-fi television. She also had acting roles in films The Boy Friend with Twiggy in 1972 and Mahler in 1974.
Sir Arthur Percy Morris
Sir Arthur Percy Morris Fleming CBE was born in Newport on 16th of January 1881. He became one of Britain’s most influential electrical engineers, research directors and educators. His career spanned from hands-on transformer design to pioneering radar-enabling technologies that helped shape the outcome of WWII. His work on thermionic valves was vital to Britain’s early radar systems. He was awarded a CBE in 1920 for his work on technology for submarine detection, and received a Knighthood in 1945 for his services to education.
Julia Breck
Julia Breck, born on 22nd August 1941 in Newport, trained at the Richmond School of Art and initially worked as an artist before catching the acting bug. Her television career flourished in the 1970s, where she became a familiar face in Spike Milligan’s Q series where she played the iconic “glamour stooge” with a wink and a knowing smile. She also appeared in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The Two Ronnies, Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, and On the Buses, as well as a cast member in Andy Warhol's first play, Pork, in 1971.