You owe us for rich history, proud Welshman Matthew Rhys tells USA

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has said the United States "owes" his homeland for contributing to the country's rich history.

With the US celebrating 250 years of independence this summer, The Beast in Me star joked that the anniversary "rests squarely on [Wales'] shoulders" as he urged Americans to celebrate St David's Day on 1 March.

After shooting to international fame as a Russian spy in drama series The Americans, Rhys said he was often mistaken for being American and Russian because of his long list of on-screen roles.

The Cardiff-born star moved to the US to pursue a career in Hollywood, and now lives in New York with his wife, actress Keri Russell.

In the tongue-in-cheek video made by Welsh government-funded site wales.com, Rhys says Wales' contribution to American culture and history dates back centuries.

"Some say that the United States were discovered by a Welshman, Madoc, way, way before Columbus," he said.

According to Welsh legend, Prince Madoc is believed to have discovered America in 1170 after setting sail from north Wales, over 300 years before Christopher Columbus arrived.

Rhys goes on to list a number of ways that Wales has shaped the America we know today, from the early signatories of the Declaration of Independence with Welsh heritage, to even "the liquor you drink" - referring to bourbon Jack Daniels and its reported Welsh connections.

US President Thomas Jefferson, revolutionist Francis Lewis and Griffith Jenkin Griffith, "one of the true pioneers of Los Angeles", are also given an honourable mention by Rhys thanks to their Welsh ancestry.

The proud Welshman adds: "You owe us, America.

"Yes, we'll help you celebrate your 250 years, but you should really help us."

Rhys urged Americans to mark St David's Day by following the patron saint's motto, "gwnewch y pethau bychain" or "do the little things", on 1 March.

He said: "Wear a leek, eat a leek. Wear a daffodil. Eat a Welsh cake. Share a cwtch (a cuddle). Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus iawn, have a very happy St David's Day."

Celebrations will be taking place across Wales and beyond for St David's Day, including an event hosted in Los Angeles for celebrities with links to Wales, including Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob Mac.

As well as marking St David's Day, Rhys will be attending the Actors Awards in Los Angeles where he is nominated in the best actor in a limited series category for his role in the Netflix psycological drama, The Beast in Me.

Playing property tycoon Nile Jarvis, Rhys said that he "stole" some of the character's traits from Sir Anthony Hopkins' Oscar-winning performance in The Silence of The Lambs.

Despite living in the US for a number of years, Rhys previously said he he tried to keep his family connected to Welsh culture through sharing traditions with his wife and children and trying to speak to his son "only in Welsh".