Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born 23 July 1989 / Nickname : Dan / Height : 5′ 8″-1.73 m) is an English actor, best known for playing Harry Potter in the feature film series based on the popular book series. Radcliffe has also made appearances in stage productions and a number of TV shows and films, including the ITV film My Boy Jack and the stage show Equus, for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.
Radcliffe was born in Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, Hammersmith, West London, England, the only child of Alan George Radcliffe, a literary agent, and Marcia Jeannine Gresham (née Marcia Gresham Jacobson), a casting agent who was involved in several films for the BBC, including The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and, most recently, Walk Away And I Stumble. Radcliffe‘s mother is Jewish and a native of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (her family’s surname was anglicised from “Gershon”); his father, originally from Northern Ireland, is Protestant.
Radcliffe first expressed a desire to act at the age of five. In December 1999, he made his acting debut in the BBC’s televised two-part adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, portraying the title character as a young boy.
Radcliffe was educated at two independent schools for boys: at Sussex House School, a day school in Cadogan Square in Chelsea in London and at the City of London School, a day school in the City of London, where he studied for AS levels. He achieved A grades in the three AS-levels he sat in 2006, but then decided to take a break from education, and did not go to college or university.
Radcliffe was asked to audition for the role of Harry Potter in 2000 by producer David Heyman, while in attendance at a London production of Stones in His Pockets. In August of that year, after several auditions, he was selected to play the role in the big-budget adaptation of the award-winning book series by J.K. Rowling. Rowling herself also approved of this selection: “Having seen Dan Radcliffe’s screen test I don’t think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry“. Radcliffe made his film debut in 2001 with a supporting role alongside Pierce Brosnan in The Tailor of Panama, and the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released later that year.
Radcliffe has also starred in the five subsequent Harry Potter film adaptations: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009). He has signed on for the seventh, and eighth films; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and II, expected in 2010 and 2011. Radcliffe is ‘very happy’ that the decision has been made to split the last film into two parts, as he doesn’t believe that anything should be cut out of the climactic book. The films continue to produce high box office results worldwide.
In 2002, Radcliffe appeared as a guest in the West End production The Play What I Wrote directed by Kenneth Branagh (who appeared with Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Professor Lockhart). In 2006, he began to make the transition from child to adult actor, appearing in the television series Extras as a parody of himself, as well as filming the independent Australian drama December Boys. The film, which was filmed in six weeks was released in North America by Warner Bros. on 14 September 2007. Radcliffe worked with a language coach for six months to perfect an Australian accent.
He took the role because he wanted to appear in a film in which he played a supporting role rather than the central character. Next, Radcliffe opened on 27 February 2007 in a revival of Peter Shaffer’s play Equus as Alan Strang, a stable boy who has an obsession with horses. The role generated significant pre-opening media interest and advance sales topped £2 million, as Radcliffe appeared nude in one scene in the play. Radcliffe‘s performance received positive reviews, as critics were impressed by the nuance and depth of his against-type role. Radcliffe’s last performance in Equus took place on 9 June 2007. The production then transferred to Broadway in New York City opening on 25 September 2008, where Radcliffe reprised the role of Alan Strang along with Richard Griffiths, who was also in the Equus production in London and played Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter series. Prior to the play’s opening he stated that he was nervous about repeating the role on Broadway because he considered American audiences more discerning than those in London. During the summer of 2007, he filmed the ITV drama My Boy Jack, based upon the true story of Rudyard Kipling’s son’s death in battle during the First World War, which aired in the United Kingdom on Remembrance Day 2007 and premiered in the United States on 20 April 2008. In the film, Radcliffe played Jack Kipling, a World War I-era soldier and the son of author Rudyard Kipling.
At the age of sixteen, Radcliffe became the youngest non-royal ever to have an individual portrait in Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. On 13 April 2006, his portrait, drawn by Stuart Pearson Wright, was unveiled as part of a new exhibition opening at London’s Royal National Theatre, then moved to the National Portrait Gallery where it resides. Radcliffe was fourteen at the time of the portrait’s creation.
On 9 July 2007, Radcliffe and fellow Harry Potter cast members Rupert Grint and Emma Watson left imprints of their hands, feet, and wands in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
It was announced in the New York Times on 28 December 2007 that Radcliffe will portray deceased photojournalist Dan Eldon in an upcoming biopic entitled Journey or The Journey is the Destination. Eldon’s mother, Kathy, personally chose Radcliffe over other actors such as Heath Ledger, Ryan Phillippe and Joaquin Phoenix, noting Radcliffe’s “puckishness, sense of humour and energy” as similar to her son’s. Radcliffe will star in the 2011 remake of The Woman in Black.
Radcliffe has stated that he is an atheist, as well as that he is “very proud of being Jewish.” He is a fan of punk rock music and admires a diverse lineup of bands, from Sex Pistols and The Libertines to Arctic Monkeys and more recently Hard-Fi,Jack Peñate and Kate Nash. His favourite band is The Hold Steady. In November 2007, Radcliffe published several poems under the pen name Jacob Gershon. In a 2009 issue of Attitude, Radcliffe announced his support for the Liberal Democrats.
Radcliffe appeared on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2006, which estimated his personal fortune to be GB£14 million, making him one of the richest young people in the United Kingdom. He made another appearance on the British young people’s rich list in 2007, which placed him as the thirty-third richest young person in Britain with an estimated wealth of £17 million. He is reported to have earned approximately £250,000 for the first Potter film, around £5.6 million for the fourth film, and more than £8 million for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Despite his wealth, Radcliffe has said he does not have expensive tastes. Radcliffe has said that his main expense are books, as he “reads a lot”.
Radcliffe has been a supporter of various charities, including Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent, to which he has requested fans make donations in lieu of birthday presents. In February 2005, Radcliffe put a “Hogwarts Crew” T-shirt which he autographed up for auction to help raise money for the Tsunami victims in 2005. His T-shirt was part of the Tsunami Clothes Auction which raised money for the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Organization. He wore the t-shirt during the making of the film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. These T-shirts were only issued to members of the cast and crew. His shirt raised £520 or $811.80.
Although heterosexual, Radcliffe also positions himself as a gay rights activist by speaking out against homophobia and has recently filmed a public service announcement for The Trevor Project promoting awareness around gay teen suicide prevention. He also contributes financially to the work done by The Trevor Project to this end.
He has become a keen follower of cricket and attended the first England v India test match on his 18th birthday. He queued up for the autographs of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and English opening batsman Andrew Strauss at the end of the final day’s play.
Radcliffe has stated that he suffers from a mild form of the neurological disorder dyspraxia.
Although spending most of his time in England, Radcliffe also owns an apartment in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak.
FILMOGRAPHY
Actor (1990s – In Production) :
1. The Journey Is the Destination (2011) (in production) …. Dan Eldon
2. All Quiet on the Western Front (2012) (announced) …. Paul
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (2011) (post-production) …. Harry Potter
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010) (post-production) …. Harry Potter
… aka “The Deathly Hallows” – USA (short title)
5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) …. Harry Potter
… aka “HP and the HBP” – International (English title) (informal short title)
… aka “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience” – USA
… aka “The Half-Blood Prince” – USA (short title)
6. My Boy Jack (2007) (TV) …. John Kipling
7. December Boys (2007) …. Maps
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) …. Harry Potter
… aka “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The IMAX Experience” – USA
… aka “The Order of the Phoenix” – USA (short title)
9. The Children’s Party at the Palace (2006) (TV) …. Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) …. Harry Potter
… aka “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience” – USA
… aka “The Goblet of Fire” – USA (short title)
11. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) …. Harry Potter
… aka “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience” – USA
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) …. Harry Potter
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) …. Harry Potter
… aka “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” – Canada (English title), International (English title), UK
14. The Tailor of Panama (2001) …. Mark Pendel
15. David Copperfield (1999) (TV) …. Young David Copperfield
Thanks:
1. Conversations with the Cast (2006) (V) (special thanks)
Self (2000s – 2010s ) :
1. “Today” …. Himself (5 episodes, 2001-2010)
… aka “NBC News Today” – USA (promotional title)
… aka “The Today Show” – USA (alternative title)
- Episode dated 18 June 2010 (2010) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 10 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 10 November 2008 (2008) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 12 November 2001 (2001) TV episode …. Himself
2. “Entertainment Tonight” …. Himself (10 episodes, 2007-2010)
… aka “E.T.” – USA (informal title)
… aka “This Week in Entertainment” – USA (weekend title)
- Episode dated 17 June 2010 (2010) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 14 June 2010 (2010) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 13 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 10 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 21 May 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
(5 more)
3. The 64th Annual Tony Awards (2010) (TV) …. Himself – Presenter: Best Featured Actress in a Play
4. National Movie Awards (2010) (TV) …. Himself
5. National Television Awards (2010) (TV) …. Himself
6. “Go’ aften Danmark” …. Himself (1 episode, 2009)
- Episode dated 16 November 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
7. “Live with Regis” …. Himself (5 episodes, 2004-2009)
… aka “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” – USA (original title)
… aka “Live with Regis & Kelly” – USA (new title)
- Episode dated 10 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 4 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 11 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 31 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
8. “It’s On with Alexa Chung” …. Himself (1 episode, 2009)
- Episode dated 10 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
9. “Late Show with David Letterman” …. Himself – Guest (1 episode, 2009)
… aka “Late Show Backstage” – USA (title for episodes with guest hosts)
… aka “The Late Show” – USA (informal short title)
- Episode #16.171 (2009) TV episode (also archive footage) …. Himself – Guest
10. “Días de cine” …. Himself (1 episode, 2009)
- Episode dated 9 July 2009 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
11. “Xposé” …. Himself (1 episode, 2009)
- Episode #3.205 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
12. “Rove Live” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2005-2009)
- Episode #10.21 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode #6.41 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
13. “HBO First Look” …. Himself (6 episodes, 2001-2009)
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’: Fulfilling a Prophecy (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’: Dark Matters, New Masters (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’: Something Wicked this Way Comes (2004) TV episode …. Himself
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) TV episode …. Himself
(1 more)
14. 2009 MTV Movie Awards (2009) (TV) …. Himself
15. Comic Relief 2009 (2009) (TV) …. Himself
16. “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” …. Himself (5 episodes, 2004-2009)
- Daniel Radcliffe/Dr. Drew Pinsky/Eric Hutchinson (2009) TV episode …. Himself
- Daniel Radcliffe/Steve Coogan/The Hold Steady (2008) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 11 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 26 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 25 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
17. “Inside the Actors Studio” …. Himself (1 episode, 2008)
… aka “Inside the Actors Studio: The Craft of Theatre and Film” – USA (first season title)
… aka “Actors Interview” – Japan (English title)
- Daniel Radcliffe (2008) TV episode …. Himself
18. “Charlie Rose” …. Himself (1 episode, 2008)
… aka “The Charlie Rose Show” – USA (original title)
- Episode dated 18 November 2008 (2008) TV episode …. Himself
19. The 62nd Annual Tony Awards (2008) (TV) …. Himself – Presenter
20. “This Morning” …. Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 11 February 2008 (2008) TV episode …. Himself
21. The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2008) (TV) …. Himself – Presenter
22. The 34th Annual People’s Choice Awards (2008) (TV) …. Himself
23. Teen Idol Countdown (2008) (TV) …. Himself
24. Trailing Tonks (2007) …. Himself
25. “Parkinson” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 3 November 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
26. The National Movie Awards (2007) (TV) …. Himself
27. “Up Close with Carrie Keagan” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 27 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
28. “Rachael Ray” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode #2.7 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
29. “Weekend Sunrise” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 16 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
30. “Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode #7.2 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
31. “Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 10 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
32. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 7 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
33. “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2007)
- Episode dated 6 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 9 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
34. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: T4 Movie Special (2007) (TV)
35. “Oha! 4″ …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 13 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
36. “Larry King Live” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Daniel Radcliffe (2007) TV episode …. Himself
37. Achter de schermen bij ‘Harry Potter en de orde van de feniks’ (2007) (TV) …. Himself
38. “Das große RTL Special zum Film” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2002-2007)
- Harry Potter und der Orden des Phönix (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Harry Potter und die Kammer des Schreckens (2002) TV episode …. Himself
39. The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter (2007) (TV) …. Himself
… aka “Harry Potter: The Hidden Secrets” – USA (promotional title)
40. “Cartelera” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 7 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
41. “HypaSpace” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
… aka “HypaSpace Daily” – Canada (English title) (long title)
… aka “HypaSpace Weekly” – Canada (English title) (long title)
- Episode #6.135 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
42. “20 heures le journal” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 4 July 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
43. “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2005-2007)
- Episode #12.1 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode #9.9 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
44. “Breakfast” …. Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself
45. “ITV Lunchtime News” …. Himself – Stage Actor (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself – Stage Actor
46. “BBC London News” …. Himself – Stage Actor (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself – Stage Actor
47. “One O’Clock News” …. Himself – Stage Actor (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode dated 28 February 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Himself – Stage Actor
48. “Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition” …. Himself (1 episode)
- Teen Acting Careers with ‘Greek’ (????) TV episode …. Himself
49. “Extras” …. Himself (1 episode, 2006)
- Daniel Radcliffe (2006) TV episode …. Himself
50. “Getaway” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2005-2006)
- Episode #15.25 (2006) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode #14.42 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
51. In Too Deep: The Second Task (2006) (V) …. Himself
52. Harry vs. the Horntail: The First Task (2006) (V) (uncredited) …. Himself
53. The Maze: The Third Task (2006) (V) …. Himself
54. He Who Must Not Be Named (2006) (V) …. Himself
55. Conversations with the Cast (2006) (V) …. Himself
56. Preparing for the Yule Ball (2006) (V) …. Himself
57. Reflections on the Fourth Film (2006) (V) …. Himself
58. “Phénomania” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Harry Potter: Explication d’un succès (2005) TV episode …. Himself
59. “Tigerenten Club” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 24 December 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
60. It’s Christmas with Jonathan Ross (2005) (TV) …. Himself
61. Foley & McColl: This Way Up (2005) (TV) …. Himself (the Traffic Warden)
62. “Planet Voice” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Planet Potter (2005) TV episode …. Himself
63. ‘Harry Potter’: Behind the Magic (2005) (TV) …. Himself
64. Inside ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2005) (TV) …. Himself
65. “Total Request Live” …. Himself (3 episodes, 2002-2005)
… aka “TRL” – USA (promotional abbreviation)
… aka “TRL Weekend” – USA (informal alternative title)
… aka “Total Request with Carson Daly” – USA (alternative title)
- Episode dated 11 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 24 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 22 October 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
66. “The Insider” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
67. “GMTV” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2004-2005)
- Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 19 November 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
68. “Martha” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
69. “Corazón de…” …. Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 7 November 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
70. “Ministry of Mayhem” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2004-2005)
- Episode dated 29 October 2005 (2005) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 29 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
71. Head to Shrunken Head (2004) (V) …. Himself
72. “The Early Show” …. Himself (2 episodes, 2002-2004)
- Episode dated 1 June 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 12 November 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
73. “4Pop” …. Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Popparit Bushin kimpussa (2004) TV episode …. Himself
74. “Total Request Live” …. Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode dated 28 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
75. “E! News Live” …. Himself (3 episodes, 2002-2004)
… aka “E! News Daily” – USA (original title)
… aka “E! News Live Weekend” – USA (alternative title)
- Episode dated 28 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 13 November 2003 (2003) TV episode …. Himself
- Episode dated 18 December 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
76. “Richard & Judy” …. Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode dated 27 May 2004 (2004) TV episode …. Himself
77. Interviews with Students (2003) (V) …. Himself
78. “SM:TV Live” …. Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 23 November 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
79. “The View” …. Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 18 November 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
80. “The Caroline Rhea Show” …. Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 18 November 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
81. “The Oprah Winfrey Show” …. Himself (1 episode, 2002)
… aka “Oprah” – USA (short title)
- Episode dated 29 October 2002 (2002) TV episode …. Himself
82. “Omnibus” …. Himself (1 episode, 2001)
- J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Me (2001) TV episode (uncredited) …. Himself
83. “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” …. Himself (1 episode, 2001)
- Episode dated 14 November 2001 (2001) TV episode …. Himself
84. ‘Harry Potter’: Behind the Magic (2001) (TV) …. Himself
85. Comic Relief: Say Pants to Poverty (2001) (TV) …. Himself
86. Comic Relief Short Pants (2001) (TV) …. Himself
Archive Footage:
1. “Breakfast”
- Episode dated 27 May 2010 (2010) TV episode …. Himself – Actor
2. “Rove Live”
- Rove Turns 10 (2009) TV episode …. Himself
3. “The Story of the Costume Drama”
- The Stars (2008) TV episode …. John Kipling
4. J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life (2007) (TV) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
5. Forbes 20 Under 25: Young, Rich and Famous (2007) (TV) …. Himself
6. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge (2007) (VG) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
7. “Today Tonight”
- Episode dated 6 April 2007 (2007) TV episode (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
8. Boffo! Tinseltown’s Bombs and Blockbusters (2006) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
9. “Getaway”
- Episode #15.7 (2006) TV episode …. Harry Potter
10. Creating the Vision (2004) (V) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
11. Conjuring a Scene (2004) (V) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
12. Care of Magical Creatures (2004) (V) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
13. “Unsere Besten”
- Das große Lesen (2004) TV episode …. Harry Potter
14. Build a Scene (2003) (V) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
15. Interviews with Professors & More (2003) (V) (uncredited) …. Harry Potter
16. “Biography”
- Harry Potter Kids (????) TV episode …. Himself
