Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born 23 July 1989)[1] is an English actor, best known for portraying thetitle character in all eight films of theHarry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011.
Radcliffe was educated at threeprivate schools for boys inLondon:Redcliffe School,[24]Sussex House School,[1][25][26] and theCity of London School.[1][27] After the release of thefirstHarry Potter film, attending school proved difficult for him as some fellow pupils became hostile, though he states they were just trying to "have a crack at the kid that playsHarry Potter" rather than acting out of jealousy.[28] As his acting career began to consume his schedule, he continued his education through on-set tutors. He has admitted to not being a very good student, considering school useless and finding the work "really difficult".[25] He achieved A grades in the threeAS level exams that he took in 2006, but decided to take a break from education and did not attend university.[29][30] Part of his reasoning was he already knew he wanted to be an actor and screenwriter, and it would be difficult to have a normal university experience.[28]
In 2000, producerDavid Heyman met Radcliffe while he was at the theatre with his father, a well-known literary agent whom Heyman was friends with.[35][36] He asked him to audition for the role ofHarry Potter for thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the best-selling book by British authorJ. K. Rowling.[36][37] Rowling had been searching for an unknown British actor to personify the character, and the film's directorChris Columbus recalled thinking, "This is what I want. This is Harry Potter" after he saw a video of the young actor inDavid Copperfield.[38] Eight months later, following several auditions, Radcliffe was selected to play the part.[39] Rowling endorsed the selection, saying: "I don't think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry."[40] Radcliffe's parents originally turned down the offer, as they had been told that it would involve six films shot inLos Angeles.[41]Warner Bros. instead offered Radcliffe a two-film contract with shooting in the UK;[38] Radcliffe was unsure at the time if he would act in more than twoHarry Potter films.[42]
The release ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone took place in 2001. Radcliffe received a seven-figure salary for the lead role, but asserted that the fee was "not that important" to him;[43] his parents chose to invest the money for him.[38] The film was highly popular and was met with positive reviews, and critics took notice of Radcliffe:[44] "Radcliffe is the embodiment of every reader's imagination. It is wonderful to see a young hero who is so scholarly looking and filled with curiosity and who connects with very real emotions, from solemn intelligence and the delight of discovery to deep family longing," wrote Bob Graham of theSan Francisco Chronicle.[45]
The future of the franchise was put into question when Radcliffe, Watson, and co-starRupert Grint hesitated to sign on to continue their roles. By March 2007, however, Radcliffe had signed for the finalHarry Potter films; his signing put an end to weeks of press "speculation that he would be denied the role due to his involvement inEquus", in which he had performed nude onstage.[49] Radcliffe reprised the role of Harry for the fifth time inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007). Radcliffe stated that directorDavid Yates and co-starImelda Staunton madeOrder of the Phoenix the "most fun" film to work on in the series.[50] His performance earned him several award nominations, and he received the 2008National Movie Award for "Best Male Performance".[51] Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson left imprints of their hands, feet, and wands in front ofGrauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.[52]Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the series' sixth instalment, was released in July 2009. Radcliffe received nominations forBest Male Performance andGlobal Superstar at the2010 MTV Movie Awards.[53]
For financial and scripting reasons, the lastHarry Potter book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) was divided into two films that were shot back-to-back.[54][55] This decision drew criticism from the series' fans, but Radcliffe defended the split, stating that it would have been impossible to properly adapt the final novel into a single film.[56][57]
The two-film finale,Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 andPart 2, was released in November 2010 and July 2011, respectively. WhileDeathly Hallows – Part 1 grossed $960 million,Deathly Hallows – Part 2 grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide; as of May 2019, it was the11th-highest-grossing film of all time.Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was critically acclaimed, as was Radcliffe's performance;Ann Hornaday ofThe Washington Post asked, "Who could have predicted that Radcliffe, Grint and Watson would turn out to be good actors"?[58][44] CriticRex Reed remarked, "Frankly, I'm sorry to see [Radcliffe] go";[59]Roger Ebert gave the film a highly positive review, but felt that Radcliffe, Grint and Watson were "upstaged by the supporting [actors]".[60]
Radcliffe acknowledged that some people would never be able to separate him from the Harry Potter character; however, he has said he is "proud to be associated with this film series forever".[61] Despite positive feelings about the films, he has no interest in doing moreHarry Potter films. After Rowling hinted about writing an eighth book, Radcliffe was asked if he would do anotherHarry Potter film, to which he replied, "[It is] very doubtful. I think 10 years is a long time to spend with one character".[62] Despite devoting so much time to the series, Radcliffe has asserted that he did not miss out on a childhood like other child actors, remarking, "I've been given a much better perspective on life by doingPotter."[63]
In 2002, Radcliffe made his stage debut as a celebrity guest in aWest End production ofThe Play What I Wrote, directed byKenneth Branagh—who also appeared with him in the secondHarry Potter film.[33][64] He appeared in the filmDecember Boys, an Australian family drama about four orphans that was shot in 2005 and released to theaters in mid-September 2007.[65] On 13 April 2006, a portrait of Radcliffe byStuart Pearson Wright was unveiled as part of a new exhibition opening at theNational Theatre, before being moved to theNational Portrait Gallery.[66]
In 2007, Radcliffe co-starred withCarey Mulligan inMy Boy Jack, a television drama film shown onITV. The film received mostly positive reviews,[67] with several critics praising Radcliffe's performance as an eighteen-year-old who goes missing in action during a battle.[68][69][70] Radcliffe stated, "For many people my age, theFirst World War is just a topic in a history book. But I've always been fascinated by the subject and think it's as relevant today as it ever was."[71] Later that year, he published several poems under thepen name Jacob Gershon—a combination of his middle name and theHebrew version of his mother's maiden name Gresham—in the underground fashion magazineRubbish.[2][3]
At age seventeen, in a bid to demonstrate that he was prepared for adult roles,[72] Radcliffe starred in a West End revival ofPeter Shaffer's playEquus at theGielgud Theatre. The piece had not been revived since its first run in 1973.[38] Radcliffe took on the lead role[64] of Alan Strang, a stable boy who has an obsession with horses. Advance sales topped £1.7 million. The role generated significant pre-opening media interest, as Radcliffe performed a nude scene.[38][73]Equus opened on 27 February 2007 and ran until 9 June 2007.[64] Radcliffe's performance was acclaimed,[74] as critics were impressed by the nuance and depth of hisagainst-type role.[75]Charles Spencer ofThe Telegraph wrote that the actor "displays a dramatic power and an electrifying stage presence that marks a tremendous leap forward." He added: "I never thought I would find the diminutive (but perfectly formed) Radcliffe a sinister figure, but as Alan Strang ... there are moments when he seems genuinely scary in his rage and confusion."[76] The production transferred toBroadway at theBroadhurst Theatre in September 2008. Radcliffe continued in the lead role, starring alongsideKate Mulgrew,Anna Camp, and hisHarry Potter co-starRichard Griffiths.[77][78] Radcliffe was nervous about reprising the role on Broadway as he considered American audiences to be more discerning than those in London.[79] Radcliffe's performance was nominated for aDrama Desk Award.[80]
2010–2018: Return to Broadway and independent films
Radcliffe filmingKill Your Darlings on the campus ofColumbia University in 2012
Radcliffe's first post-Harry Potter project was the 2012 horror filmThe Woman in Black, adapted from the1983 novel bySusan Hill. The film was released on 3 February 2012 in the United States and Canada, and was released on 10 February in the UK. Radcliffe portrays a man sent to deal with the legal matters of a mysterious woman who has just died, and soon after he begins to experience strange events and hauntings from the ghost of a woman dressed in black.[92] He has said he was "incredibly excited" to be part of the film and described the script as "beautifully written".[93]
Radcliffe starred in the action adventure filmNow You See Me 2 (2016) alongsideMark Ruffalo,Jesse Eisenberg, andWoody Harrelson.[106] playing a technological prodigy, entrepreneur, criminal mastermind and a main leading antagonist all along withMichael Caine's character named Arthur Tressler (of whom Radcliffe's character is revealed to be the son), who whilst in turn resents magic.[107] In 2016, Radcliffe portrayed Manny, a talkative corpse, in the indie filmSwiss Army Man withPaul Dano.[108] That same year, He also starred in critically acclaimed independent filmImperium (2016) withToni Collette, andTracy Letts. He played Nate Foster, an idealisticFBI agent who goes undercover to take down a radicalwhite supremacy group.[109] The film received an 84% onRotten Tomatoes with the consensus reading, "The unsettlingImperium boasts troublingly timely themes and a talented cast led by Daniel Radcliffe as an undercover FBI agent infiltrating a ring of white supremacists."[110]
Radcliffe starredoff-Broadway atThe Public Theater in adocumentary theatre piece titledPrivacy, playing the role of The Writer.[111] In 2017, he starred as Yossi Ghinsberg in the thrillerJungle, which was based on an internationally best-selling memoir of the same name byYossi Ghinsberg.[112] In 2018, Radcliffe portrayed a pilot smuggling drugs across borders in the independent action-thrillerBeast of Burden directed by Jesper Ganslandt.[113] The same year, he returned to Broadway in the ninety-minute comedy playThe Lifespan of a Fact atStudio 54 Theatre withBobby Cannavale andCherry Jones. The play revolves around a determined young fact checker who goes up against his demanding editor and an unorthodox author.[114] As part of his research for the role, Radcliffe spent a day working in the fact checking department ofThe New Yorker.[115]
Radcliffe is set to star alongsideLucas Hedges in the war thrillerTrust the Man.[134] In May 2025, it was announced that Radcliffe would star in theTina Fey-produced television seriesThe Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins alongsideTracy Morgan andErika Alexander.[135]
Radcliffe has lent his support to various charitable organisations. He designed the Cu-Bed for Habitat's VIP Kids range (a cube made of eight smaller ones which can be made into a bed, chaise-longue or chair)[136] with all the royalties from the sale of the bed going directly to his favourite charity, Demelza House Children's Hospice inSittingbourne, Kent.[137] Radcliffe has urged fans to make donations to the charity's Candle for Care programme in lieu of giving him Christmas presents. In 2008, he was among several celebrities who donated their old glasses to an exhibit honouring victims ofthe Holocaust.[138] During the Broadway run ofEquus he auctioned off a pair of jeans and other items worn in the show, for New-York-basedBroadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS[139] and was a presenter at the 2011 Gypsy of the Year competition.[140] He has also made donations in support ofGet Connected UK, a London-based free confidential nationalhelpline for troubled youth.[141]
Political and social views
Radcliffe is a supporter of theLabour Party.[142] He previously supported theLiberal Democrats,[143] and endorsed then-Lib Dem leaderNick Clegg in the2010 general election. In 2012, however, he switched his political alignment to Labour, citing disillusionment with the performance of Clegg and the Liberal Democratswhile in government, and approving of then-Labour leaderEd Miliband.[142] In 2015, he endorsedJeremy Corbyn'sLabour Party leadership campaign. He toldThe Big Issue, "I feel like this show of sincerity by a man who has been around long enough and stuck to his beliefs long enough that he knows them and doesn't have to be scripted is what is making people sit up and get excited. It is great."[144][145]
Radcliffe is supportive of theLGBTQ community. Speaking out againsthomophobia, he began filmingpublic service announcements in 2009 forThe Trevor Project, promoting awareness of gay teen suicide prevention.[148][149] He first learned of the organization while performingEquus on Broadway in 2008[149] and has contributed financially to it.[150] He said in a 2010 interview, "I have always hated anybody who is not tolerant of gay men or lesbians or bisexuals. Now I am in the very fortunate position where I can actually help or do something about it." In the same interview, he stressed the importance of public figures advocating for equal rights.[149] He received The Trevor Project's Hero Award in 2011 for his contributions.[148][151] In June 2020, amid controversy overHarry Potter authorJ. K. Rowling's allegedlytransphobicremarks on gender identity Radcliffe penned an essay published by The Trevor Project in which he voiced support for thetransgender community and expressed regret that Rowling's statements tarnished some fans' experience of theHarry Potter books.[152][153]
Personal life
Relationships and family
Radcliffe splits his time between homes in theFulham area of London[154] and theWest Village neighbourhood of New York City'sManhattan borough.[155] He has been in a relationship with American actressErin Darke since 2012, after having met on the set ofKill Your Darlings.[156] They have a son, who was born in April 2023.[157] Radcliffe called fatherhood "the literal best thing that ever happened [to me]."[158]
Radcliffe is close with his family, whom he credits for keeping him grounded.[159] He has said that his parents, who have been married for 30 years, have inspired him in his relationship with Darke.[160] In August 2010, he becameteetotal after finding himself becoming too reliant on alcohol,[161] particularly during the filming ofHalf-Blood Prince.[162][163] In March 2020, he appeared as the guest onBBC Radio 4'sDesert Island Discs, where he discussed his alcohol misuse during his teens and his decision to become teetotal, and how his parents' support and staying in his native England helped him cope with fame.[164][165]
Wealth
Radcliffe was reported to have earned £1 million for the firstHarry Potter film,[43] around £15 million for the sixth,[25] and around £39 million for the final two movies combined.[166][167] In all, he is estimated to have made a total of £75.4 million from the entire franchise.[168][167] He appeared on theSunday Times Rich List in 2006, which estimated his personal fortune to be £14 million, making him one of the richest young people in the UK.[169] In March 2009, he was ranked at number one on theForbes "Most Valuable Young Stars" list,[170] and by AprilThe Daily Telegraph measured his net worth at £30 million, making him the 12th richest young person in the UK.[171] Radcliffe was considered to be the richest teenager in England later that year.[25] In February 2010, he was named the sixth highest-paid Hollywood male star[172] and placed at number five onForbes' December list of Hollywood's highest-grossing actors[a] with a film revenue of US$780 million, mainly due toHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows being released that year.[173] As of 2021[update], Radcliffe's net worth is estimated at £95 million.[174]
Health
In 2008, Radcliffe revealed that he has a mild form of the neurological disorderdyspraxia, which sometimes prevents him from doing simple activities such as writing or tying his shoelaces. He said, "I was having a hard time at school, in terms of being crap at everything, with no discernible talent."[175] While on the set of the 2013 filmHorns, Radcliffe accidentally drankantifreeze, which caused him to become "horrendously ill" for "a disgusting, feverish three days."[176]
Religious and political beliefs
Radcliffe stated of his beliefs in 2012: "There was never [religious] faith in the house. I think of myself as being Jewish and Irish, despite the fact that I'm English."[22] He has said that his family are "Christmas tree Jews,"[177][178] and he said: "I'm anatheist, but I'm very proud of being Jewish. It means I have a good work ethic, and you getJewish humour and you're allowed to tell Jewish jokes."[2][179] In 2009, he stated that he was an atheist and said, "I'm very relaxed about [being an atheist]. I don't preach my atheism, but I have a huge amount of respect for people likeRichard Dawkins who do. Anything he does on television, I will watch."[180][181] He said in 2012, "I'm an atheist, and a militant atheist when religion starts impacting on legislation."[182] In 2019, he described himself as "agnostic leaning toward atheism".[183] In 2009, Radcliffe stated that although he considers himself a "fiercepatriot", he is not aroyalist, adding that themonarchy "symbolized a lot of what is wrong with the country".[184]
^Graham, Bob (31 May 2002)."'Potter's' amazing powers".San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc.Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved30 May 2011.
^Sessums, Kevin (26 January 2009)."Dirty Harry".The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast Company. Archived fromthe original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved10 January 2018.Daniel Radcliffe: "My dad is Northern Irish and my mum is Jewish. That's working blood. Though I am not religious in the least, I am very proud to be Jewish."
