Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe

Radcliffe at the premier of December Boys
Born Daniel Jacob Radcliffe
23 July 1989 (1989-07-23) (age 21)
Hammersmith, London,
England, United Kingdom
Occupation Actor
Years active 1999–present

Daniel Jacob Radcliffe[1][2] (born 23 July 1989)[3] 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.[4]

Contents

Early life

Radcliffe was born in Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Hammersmith, West London, England,[3] 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.[5][6] Radcliffe's mother is Jewish and a native of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (her family's surname was anglicised from "Gershon");[6][7][8] his father, originally from Northern Ireland, is Protestant.[9][10]

Radcliffe first expressed a desire to act at the age of five.[11] In December 1999, aged ten, he realised his ambition and 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.[12]

Education

Radcliffe was educated at two independent schools for boys: at Sussex House School, a day school in Cadogan Square in Chelsea in London[13] and at the City of London School, a day school in the City of London, where he studied for AS levels.[14] 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.[15]

Career

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.[16][17] 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".[18] 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 in July 2009

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[19] 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.[20] 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).[12] 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[14] 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.[14] He took the role because he wanted to appear in a film in which he played a supporting role rather than the central character.[21] 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.[22] Radcliffe's performance received positive reviews,[23] as critics were impressed by the nuance and depth of his against-type role.[24] 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.[25][26] 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.[27] 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.[14][28] In the film, Radcliffe played Jack Kipling, a World War I-era soldier and the son of author Rudyard Kipling.[29][30] About the role, he stated:[31]

For many people my age, the First 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.

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.[32] 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.[33]

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.[34] 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.[35] Radcliffe will star in the 2011 remake of The Woman in Black.[36]

Personal life

Radcliffe at the 2008 BAFTA Awards

Radcliffe has stated that he is an atheist,[37] as well as that he is "very proud of being Jewish."[38][39][40] 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,[41] Jack Peñate and Kate Nash.[42] His favourite band is The Hold Steady.[43] In November 2007, Radcliffe published several poems under the pen name Jacob Gershon.[38][44] In a 2009 issue of Attitude, Radcliffe announced his support for the Liberal Democrats.[45]

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.[46] 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.[47] 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 is books, as he "read[s] a lot".[48]

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.[49][50] He also contributes financially to the work done by The Trevor Project to this end.[51][52]

He has become a keen follower of cricket[53] 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.[54] Regarding this, he stated:[55]

I was telling people in a recent interview that I had a dream that Andrew Strauss was chasing me with a cricket bat. It was during the West Indies series when Andrew wasn’t doing too well and an Australian who was listening in piped up and said, "I wouldn’t worry about Strauss, if he had a swing at you at the moment he’d probably miss".

Radcliffe has stated that he suffers from a mild form of the neurological disorder dyspraxia.[56]

Although spending most of his time in England, Radcliffe also owns an apartment in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak.[57]

Stage and screen credits

Films

Year Film Role Notes
2001 The Tailor of Panama Mark Pendel Supporting role
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Harry Potter US title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
December Boys Maps A 17 year-old orphan
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I Post-production
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II Post-production
The Journey is the Destination Dan Eldon (Teenager) Currently Filming by parts
The Woman in Black Arthur Kipps In production
2012 All Quiet on the Western Front Paul Bäumer[58] In production

Television

Stage

Awards

Nominations

2010

2009

2008

2006

2005

2003

2001

Wins

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (actor bio)". HarryPotter.Warnerbros. http://harrypotter.warnerbros.co.uk/gobletoffire/master/index.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  2. ↑ Daniel Radcliffe, or Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (British actor) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 DanRadcliffe.com: Daniel Radcliffe Biography
  4. ↑ Griffiths, Peter (23 July 2007). Life's magic as Daniel Radcliffe turns 18. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL2368089020070723. Retrieved 29 October 2008. 
  5. ↑ "Top of the form". The Jewish Chronicle. 20 December 1968. pp. 26. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kasriel, Alex; Emily Rhodes (22 December 2006). "A nice Jewish wizard: Harry Potter is Jewish — and his grandmother is very proud of him". The Jewish Chronicle. pp. 2. http://web.archive.org/web/20080125121324/http://www.thejc.com/home.aspx?AId=47922&ATypeId=1&search=true2&srchstr=PATRICIA+JACOBSON&srchtxt=1&srchhead=1&srchauthor=1&srchsandp=1&scsrch=0. 
  7. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe". Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo. 1 December 2008. ; can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRbVy-p5_NQ
  8. ↑ Bloom, Nate. "Young and Rich (bottom of page)". InterfaithFamily.com. http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ekLSK5MLIrG&b=297399&ct=3724107. Retrieved 24 July 2007. 
  9. ↑ Horn, Steve (13 February 2004). "On the Set of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". RupertGrint.net/IGN Films. http://www.rupertgrint.net/press/Interviews/2004ign.php. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  10. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe". The Today Show. 6 December 2006. ; can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp7IIvZuGdU
  11. ↑ "Faces of the week: DANIEL RADCLIFFE". BBC News. 2 March 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6413257.stm. Retrieved 1 September 2007. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Roberts, Sheila (10 September 2007). "Daniel Radcliffe Interview, December Boys". Movies Online. http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_12913.html. Retrieved 10 September 2007. 
  13. ↑ "SUSSEX HOUSE SCHOOL". Isbi Schools. http://www.isbi.com/isbi-viewschool/1158-SUSSEX_HOUSE_SCHOOL.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Reuven, Shmuel (13 September 2007). "Daniel Radcliffe is one of the December Boys". JewReview.net. http://www.jewreview.net/article.php?id=1623. Retrieved 13 September 2007. 
  15. ↑ "Dan & Emma ace exams". Hpana. 24 August 2006. http://hpana.com/news.19561.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  16. ↑ McLean, Craig (15 July 2007). "Hobnobs & broomsticks". Sunday Herald. http://www.sundayherald.com/life/people/display.var.1546220.0.0.php. Retrieved 15 July 2007. 
  17. ↑ Koltnow, Barry (8 July 2007). "One Enchanted Night at Theater, Radcliffe Became Harry Potter". East Valley Tribune. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/92834?source=rss&dest=STY-92834. Retrieved 15 July 2007. 
  18. ↑ Sussman, Paul (23 August 2000). "British child actor 'a splendid Harry Potter'". CNN.com. http://premium.edition.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/08/22/potter.casting.02/. Retrieved 20 October 2007. 
  19. ↑ Report: Daniel Radcliffe signed for final two 'Potter' films HPANA. Retrieved on 2 March 2007.
  20. ↑ Jones, Alan (8 July 2009). "Daniel Radcliffe Exclusive Interview, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince". Roll Credits Online. http://www.rollcreditsonline.com/component/content/article/34-highlights/467-ftharrypotterhalfbloodprincedanielradcliffe.html. Retrieved 9 July 2009. 
  21. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe December Boys Interview". STV.TV. 2007. http://www.stv.tv/content/out/film/videointerviews/display.html?id=opencms:/out/films/new_interviews/Daniel_Radcliffex_December_Boy_20071005. Retrieved 8 October 2007. 
  22. ↑ "Naked stage role for Potter star". BBC News. 28 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5223520.stm. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  23. ↑ "RADCLIFFE'S WOMEN NERVES". Contact Music. 5 June 2007. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/radcliffes%20women%20nerves_1033227. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  24. ↑ Burchell, Kenzie (28 February 2007). "Moving the Magic". MSNBC.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17383712/site/newsweek/. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  25. ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (4 September 2007). "Radcliffe To Bare All On Broadway As ‘Equus’ Eyes Late ‘08 Opening". MTV Movies Blog. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/09/04/radcliffe-to-bare-all-on-broadway-as-equus-eyes-late-08-opening/. Retrieved 5 September 2007. 
  26. ↑ Nathan, John (9 June 2007). "London Equus — Starring Radcliffe and Griffiths — Closes 9 June". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108659.html. Retrieved 9 June 2007. 
  27. ↑ Nichols, Michelle (5 September 2007). "Radcliffe nervous about baring all on Broadway". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0521724920070905?src=090507_1743_ARTICLE_PROMO_also_on_reuters. Retrieved 6 September 2007. 
  28. ↑ "100 best autumn arts events". London: The Sunday Times. 2 September 2007. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/whats_on/listings/article2350320.ece. Retrieved 1 September 2007. 
  29. ↑ "Radcliffe to star in new ITV drama". MuggleNet. 2006. http://mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/306. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  30. ↑ "Sexy Samantha will play Harry Potter's mum". Now. 5 June 2007. http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celeb_news/Celebrity_news_Kim_Cattrall_will_play_Daniel_Radcliffes_mum_article_122946.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  31. ↑ http://www.danradcliffe.us/galleries/MyBoyJack/danradmbj081207.jpg, Daniel Radcliffe.com, retrieved 15 August 2007
  32. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe drawing acquired by National Portrait Gallery". National Portrait Gallery. 11 April 2006. http://www.npg.org.uk/live/prelharrypotter.asp. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  33. ↑ "Hollywood Blvd Celebrates Potter's 'Wands Of Fame'". CBS2.com. 9 July 2007. http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_190124828.html. Retrieved 10 July 2007. 
  34. ↑ Levin, Dan (27 December 2007). "Photographs, Art and Lessons, Taken From a Life Cut Short". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/arts/design/27foto.html?ex=1199422800&en=522603df32e7498d&ei=5070&emc=eta1. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  35. ↑ Smith, David (30 December 2007). "Wizard to play the magician of Somalia". The Guardian (London). http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2233408,00.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  36. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe to star in The Woman in Black". BBC News. 19 July 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10684914. Retrieved 19 July 2010. 
  37. ↑ Singh, Anita (4 June 2009). Daniel Radcliffe: a cool nerd. London. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/5734000/Daniel-Radcliffe-a-cool-nerd.html. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 McLean, Craig (4 July 2009). Dan the Man. London. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jul/04/daniel-radcliffe-harry-potter-jk-rowling. Retrieved 11 July 2009. 
  39. ↑ Sessums, Kevin (26 January 2009). "Dirty Harry". The Daily Beast. http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-01-26/dirty-harry/full/. Retrieved 30 January 2009. 
  40. ↑ Bloom, Nate. "Young and Rich (bottom of page)". InterfaithFamily.com. http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ekLSK5MLIrG&b=297399&ct=3724107. Retrieved 24 July 2007. "Radcliffe says he is not religious at all...and while he may not be religious, it appears that he had the procedure that almost all Jewish boys have when they are eight days old." 
  41. ↑ Hard-Fi on Popworld again video interview with Simon Amstell
  42. ↑ Radcliffe, Daniel. "Daniel Radcliffe's Playlist (From iTunes)". HarryPotterTrio.com. http://www.harrypottertrio.com/music_dan.php. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  43. ↑ "Harry Potter reveals his favourite band". NME. 20 July 2007. http://www.nme.com/news/the-hold-steady/29811. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  44. ↑ Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe's 'secret life as a published poet'. London: The Telegraph. 11 July 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/5799717/Harry-Potter-actor-Daniel-Radcliffes-secret-life-as-a-published-poet.html. Retrieved 11 July 2009. 
  45. ↑ Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe talks politics with gay mag Attitude and admits to backing Lib Dems The Sun Retrieved 28 July 2009
  46. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe". London: TimesOnline. 2006. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,39471,00.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  47. ↑ 14urllink=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,48353,00.html "Young People's Rich List: Daniel Radcliffe". London: Times Online. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/specials/rich_list/rich_list_search/? 14urllink=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,48353,00.html. Retrieved 5 June 2007. 
  48. ↑ Stead, Andrew (23 November 2005). "Daniel Radcliffe richest UK teen, £23.5 million in the bank, more to come". ABC Money.uk. http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/2320051400.htm. Retrieved 16 July 2007. 
  49. ↑ Fick, David."Daniel Radcliffe Takes a Stand Against Homophobia" Musical Cyberspace, 28 February 2010
  50. ↑ BWW News Desk."EQUUS Star Radcliffe Speaks Out Against Homophobia" BroadwayWorld, 27 February 2010
  51. ↑ The Ultraworld."Harry Potter Wants To Put A Spell on Homophobia" Radar Online, 26 February 2010
  52. ↑ Wing, Jacque."DANIEL RADCLIFFE MAKES MAJOR DONATION TO SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT" The Trevor Project, 10 August 2009
  53. ↑ Pidd, Helen (7 September 2007). "'If the script says have sex, I have sex'". London: Guardian Unlimited. http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2163370,00.html. Retrieved 7 September 2007. 
  54. ↑ The Times of India - Quidditch's out, cricket is in, retrieved 27 July 2007
  55. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/25/stories/2007072551451800.htm, The Hindu - Tendulkar casts a spell on Radcliffe, retrieved 25 July 2007
  56. ↑ http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b24227_daniel_radcliffes_dyspraxia_diagnosis.html Daniel Radcliffe's Dyspraxia Diagnosis
  57. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/radcliffe-just-one-of-the-boys/story-e6frf9h6-1111114402914
  58. ↑ "Daniel Radcliffe to swap wizarding world for first world war". Guardian. 23 June 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jun/23/daniel-radcliffe-western-front-remake. Retrieved 24 June 2010. 

Further reading

External links