#1Film, TV & Stage
Peter O'Toole
1932–2013British-Irish actor (1932–2013)
103 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Famous people · Leeds, West Yorkshire
Of the 1,215 famous people born in Leeds, none is better known than Peter O'Toole
The British-Irish actor Peter O'Toole is written about in 103 languages. The largest group, 562, was born in the 20th century. Among the 90 towns in West Yorkshire with anyone listed, none has more. For every 10,000 residents there are 22.7 on the list, well above the typical West Yorkshire town’s 5.
Born here
1,215
notable people
Best known
Peter O'Toole
in 103 Wikipedia languages
First
1531
Robert Brooke
Youngest
2013
Rocco Haynes
Most common field
Sports
555 people
What stands out about Leeds’ famous people
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Leeds
Two of the three are performers.
#1
#2
#3Through the years
When Leeds’s famous people were born
More were born in the 1980s than in any other decade: 136.
SportsWriting & ArtsFilm, TV & StageScience & MedicinePolitics & LawMusicBusinessMilitaryNotableFaith
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born. The 400 best known are plotted.
Known for
What Leeds is known for
No other field is as far above the usual share as business people, at 1.5 times.
The usual town: the share across everyone listed across UK towns. Tap a field to see its people.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Leeds
1,212 more; the 197 best known are listed here.
Christopher Tolkien
1924–2020Literary scholar, writer, and editor (1924–2020)
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Alan Bennett
born 1934English actor, author, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1934)
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Joseph Aspdin
1778–1855British mason, bricklayer and inventor (1778–1855)
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Richard Anthony Salisbury
1761–1829British botanist and gardener (1761-1829)
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Herbert Hall Turner
1861–1930British astronomer and seismologist (1861–1930)
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Thomas Byles
1870–1912Catholic priest who remained on board the RMS Titanic as it was sinking (1870–1912)
FaithWikipedia ↗
Isabella Ford
1855–1924English campaigner for socialism, the labour movement and women's suffrage
Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
Jason Robinson
born 1974English rugby league footballer and coach, and rugby union footballer and coach
SportsWikipedia ↗
William Gascoigne
1612–1644English astronomer, mathematician and instrument maker
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Of the towns nearby, 8 have famous names listed.
Pudsey · 5 miBenjamin Henry Latrobe & 30 more
Morley · 5 miH. H. Asquith & 26 more
Rothwell · 5 miAlan Smith & 17 more
Calverley · 6 miFrederick William Faber & 4 moreCHGildersome · 5 miClifford Holliday & 3 more
Rawdon · 6 miBrian Close & 3 more
East Ardsley · 6 miKenneth Murray & 2 more
Bramhope · 6 miWilliam RhodesQuestions about famous people from Leeds
Who is the most famous person from Leeds?
Peter O'Toole (British-Irish actor (1932–2013)) is the best known by our measure: Wikipedia has an article about them in 103 languages. Next come Erling Haaland and Malcolm McDowell.
How many famous people were born in Leeds?
1,215 people born in Leeds have an English Wikipedia article that confirms the town as their birthplace. Wikidata places 1,364 people here; the rest aren’t listed because their article names somewhere else, or no town.
What is Leeds known for?
Among its famous people, athletes: 555 of the 1,215. That is 46% of the town’s list, against 49% across UK towns.
Who is the earliest-born famous person from Leeds?
Robert Brooke, born in 1531. The youngest on the list was born in 2013.
Who counts as from Leeds?
People Wikidata records as born in a place inside Leeds’ built-up area (the ONS 2022 boundary), a hospital or district within it included, whose English Wikipedia article agrees. People who only lived here, adult performers and people known mainly for crimes aren’t listed.
Why is someone missing?
Their Wikidata birthplace may be a bigger area (“London”), another town, or missing, or their article may give no birthplace. We only list people both sources agree on; editing Wikidata or Wikipedia changes this page at the next refresh.
From Wikidata (CC0: birthplaces, descriptions, years, occupations) and English Wikipedia (each person’s article confirms the birthplace; linked, not quoted). Birthplaces are placed in the town by the ONS 2022 built-up-area boundary (Office for National Statistics, Open Government Licence v3.0). Ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. Fields are read from Wikidata’s description and occupations. “The usual town”: everyone listed across UK towns. Portraits: each person’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (150)
- Peter O'Toole: ABC TV, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Erling Haaland: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Malcolm McDowell: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nevill Francis Mott: GFHund, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Milner: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tom Wilkinson: TomWilkinsonMar09.jpg: Andre Luis at https://www.flickr.com/photos/35982589@N07/ derivative work: RanZag, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Aaron Lennon: James Boyes, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Melanie Brown: Photographer.JuliaMustard, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kalvin Phillips: Hossein Zohrevand, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Matthew Lewis: Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Arthur Ransome: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Alan Bennett: Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Frain: uncle_shoggoth, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Hunter: User:Bill da Flute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Smeaton: User Magnus Manske on en.wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Alfred Austin: Who-When-What Company, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Corinne Bailey Rae: Ludovic ETIENNE, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Michael Halliday: Tony1, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Simm: rodwey2004 from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Leigh Francis: Sean Reynolds from Liverpool, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ralph Ineson: Edinburgh International Film Festival, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles Stross: You may re-use this image under the terms of the license using the following reference: Image: Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze / CC-BY-SA 4.0. The license must be a link!, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Andre Wisdom: Steindy 14:39, 22 May 2017 (UTC), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gemma Whelan: PPL Projects - www.pplphotography.nl, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nicola Adams: Richard Gillin from St Albans, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David Stockdale: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joncandy/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Oli McBurnie: Jimmybib, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Thomas Pidcock: Joost Pauwels, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Don Goodman: vagueonthehow, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Atkinson Grimshaw: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Stuart McCall: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cocca/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Katy Marchant: Nicola, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jonathan Brownlee: Martinp1, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sophie Wilson: Chris Monk, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gordon Pirie: Arne F. Køpke, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Anthony Salisbury: William John Burchell., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Marcus Tavernier: AFC Bournemouth, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Matty Lee: National Lottery Good Causes, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mandip Gill: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Peter Christopherson: shiver_shi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Philip Henry Wicksteed: Elliot and Fry, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Reg Park: Vittorio Cottafavi (director), Carlo Carlini (cinematographer), SPA Cinematografica - Comptoir Français du Film Production (production)., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Steven Waddington: Vera de Kok, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wordsworth Donisthorpe: Неизвестный фотограф конца XIX века., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- E. R. Eddison: George Beresford, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Margaret Scriven: Unknown (Bassano Ltd), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Nichola Burley: lee james, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Bennett: Gregor Rom, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jeremy Paxman: Daisyheadmaisie, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mike Riley: wonker, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Philip Stone: Stanley Kubrick, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Barry Ryan: Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons
- Beryl Burton: Jack de Nijs for Anefo, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl, Wikimedia Commons
- Georgina Brayshaw: Ailura, CC BY-SA 3.0 at, Wikimedia Commons
- Naiktha Bains: si.robi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Geoffrey Bayldon: Ian Wegg, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Henry Stallard: Agence Rol, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Lily Elsie: James Jebusa Shannon, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Rusko: John Puddephatt, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wash Westmoreland: Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV from Culver City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Arthur Greenwood: Bain News Service, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Barry Cornwall: William Brockedon, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Byron Webster: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ingythewingy/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Josh Inglis: Prime Video AU & NZ, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Marco Pierre White: Dorota Trupp, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nick Mohammed: PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Terry Connor: Timmy96, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- William Eagle Clarke: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Angela Morley: Gotanero, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Caleb Folan: Hindleyite, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ernie Wise: Betty Longbottom, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gemma Bonner: Kevin Walsh from Bicester, England, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Jakes: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jessica Clarke: Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Oliver Lines: Benutzer:Bill da Flute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard W. Wrangham: Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Stevie Wright: Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gabrielle Adcock: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gerald Kaufman: Rathfelder at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Joe Dudgeon: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Luke Johnson: si.robi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Michael Chapman: InfoZZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nile Wilson: Neil & Nile Vlogs, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Peter Lines: DerHexer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tony Harrison: summonedbyfells, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Alan Bray: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Angela Griffin: JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Felicity Montagu: Mateusz Malta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Frazer Hines: David Johnson from Sheffield, England, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Glen Baxter: Fotopersbureau De Boer, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Julian Barratt: Ella Mullins, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kadeena Cox: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Lloyd Sam: Adam.P.Shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nightmares on Wax: Martin Terber, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Samuel Watson: Cs-wolves, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Violet Heming: Arthur Wellington Brayley, Arthur Wilson Tarbell, Joe Mitchell Chapple, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Andrew White: Henry Laurisch, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Barry Cryer: Flickr user Andy from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Danny Care: Charlie from UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Derek Leckenby: NBC Television, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Fanny Waterman: Leeds Piano Competition 2015, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Isabella Ford: unknown 1924, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jason Robinson: UK Prime Minister, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse: Peter Facey, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Josh Edmondson: Owain Davies, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Phyllis Barry: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Naylor: Nick from Chelmsford, Essex, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Robin Middleton: Pmatheus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- William Nicholson, 1st Baron Nicholson: Alexander Bassano, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Adelaide Neilson: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Anna Blyth: johnthescone, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Hedley Verity: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ian McGeechan: Murkee on en.wiki, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- John Mann: Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jon Trickett: Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Justina Robson: Catriona Sparks from Wollongong, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Leonard Ravenhill: Roland Heddins, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nick Montgomery: Jon Candy, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Burgon: Richard Townshend, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sanderson Lam: Benutzer:Bill da Flute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Selwin Calverley: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Stanley Jackson: Credit: "From photo by E. Hawkins & Co., Brighton", Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Terry Allcock: Eskil Malmberg, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Vic Reeves: Martin SoulStealer from London, England, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Albert Ward: Credit: "From photo by E. Hawkins & Co., Brighton", Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Andrew Ellis: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Andy Rinomhota: Timmy96, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Edgar Ravenswood Waite: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Helen Fraser: A & G Taylor, Glasgow, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Isaac Milner: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Leonora Cohen: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Lucy-Jo Hudson: Meena, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Luke Hendrie: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mike Nattrass: Euro Realist Newsletter, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nick Hodgson: gramiela from Santiago, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Dyer: Michal Maňas, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Harrington: ©House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sheilah Graham: film screenshot (Cardinal Pictures / United Artists), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ted Peate: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Theresa Garnett: Linley Blathwayt, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Tom Elliott: Ceaton89, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tommy Spurr: Jon Candy from Cardiff, Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Vera Leigh: Records of Special Operations Executive (United Kingdom Government), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Benjamin Henry Latrobe: Charles Willson Peale, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- H. H. Asquith: Bain News Service, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Alan Smith: Toni Marsh, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Frederick William Faber: Joseph Brown, engraver, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brian Close: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Kenneth Murray: Rob Bogaerts for Anefo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- William Rhodes: Jules-Ernest Livernois, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.