Skip to content

Blue plaque honour for Richard Burton and mentor

Oscar Edwards
BBC News
Swansea University, Richard Burton Archives Two men wearing suits in a black and white photograph. The older man is wearing a darker suit with glasses and has a receding hairline.Swansea University, Richard Burton Archives
A young Richard Burton (left) with Philip Burton who spotted his potential, became his legal guardian and lent him his name

Blue plaques are set to be unveiled in recognition of Hollywood actor Richard Burton and his adoptive father and mentor, Philip Burton.

They will be on display in Neath Port Talbot to celebrate the impact the area had on Burton's career.

The plaques will be installed during the Richard Burton Centenary Week later this year, which will celebrate 100 years since the actor was born in Pontrhydyfen, near Port Talbot.

Richard's granddaughter, Charlotte Burton, said the family was "so excited" to see the plaques and thanked the community for "making this possible".

The campaign for the blue plaques was brought forward by the community in partnership with Neath Port Talbot council as part of a heritage strategy.

Burton, who died in 1984, aged 58, starred in Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra, and was known for his powerful performances in Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood and Shakespearean stage roles.

The centenary celebrations will mark Burton's life and legacy.

His mentor and adoptive father, Philip Burton, is also being honoured after taking in a wayward schoolboy, then named Richard Jenkins.

Their relationship was recently shown in a film starring Harry Lawtey as a young Burton and Toby Jones as Philip, telling the story of the actor's formative years.

It highlighted the profound influence Burton the elder had on Richard's career and success after spotting his talent for drama.

A man holds a crown with a startled expression on his face. There is a microphone in front of him suggesting he is in some kind of recording studio. The photo is black and white.
Stage and screen star Richard Burton, pictured in 1976

The actor's granddaughter said: "We are so excited that two blue plaques will be unveiled in honour of Philip and Richard Burton."

Councillor Cen Phillips said the council was "delighted" to grant the plaques.

"We know that the creative spirit runs deep in Neath Port Talbot, the dramatic heart of Wales.

"By honouring both men, we are recognising the importance of mentors and teachers to our communities," he added.

The plaques will be installed during the centenary week in November.