Daniel Radcliffe - Simply charming

In The Beginning...

Daniel Jacob Radcliffe was born on 23rd July 1989 in the London suburb of Fulham. From the tender age of five, Dan expressed an interest in acting, although his early experience was limited to playing a monkey in a school production. (Today, Dan's perspective on his first role today is "I hope no one ever finds any pictures of that!").

He became officially involved in the acting profession "by accident". He had missed out on auditioning for a part in a television production of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist - his parents didn't think it would be a very good idea - but he was destined to make his small screen debut as another of Dickens' famous titular characters: David Copperfield, starring alongside Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins.

"A friend suggested that I audition, as a bit of fun, for the role of David Copperfield. I never expected to actually get the part as I knew there would be hundreds of boys trying for it, so when I did, it came as a huge surprise."

The annual Christmas BBC period drama is very popular in the UK and this 1999 adaptation of the classic novel was particularly well received.

Copperfield producer Kate Harwood had these comments after working with Dan: "He has a particular quality of naturalness and innocence. One normally dreads working with child actors, but in his case he was wonderful. He has a great deal of charm and simplicity."

Dan followed up his appearance in "David Copperfield" by taking a small part, to gain some experience, in the film "The Tailor of Panama" released in March 2001. He played Mark Pendel, the son of Harry and Louisa Pendel, who were played by Geoffrey Rush and Jamie Lee Curtis.

While the filming was taking place, a major talent search was underway in the UK to find someone to portray a certain popular literary character and Curtis was struck by a particular insight: "One day I was looking at Daniel, who was standing beside the swimming pool. I turned to his mother and said: 'He could be Harry Potter.' "

The Role Of A Lifetime

It was Dan's "charm and simplicity" that caught the eye of Chris Columbus and David Heyman whilst on the search for a young British actor to bring to life the lead character of what is arguably the modern literary world's most successful phenomenon: Harry Potter.

This was going to be no mean feat for whoever won the role and superb casting of the part was, of course, vital to the film. Director Columbus had seen a tape of "David Copperfield" and had badgered his casting director into calling its young star in for an audition.

However, Dan's understandably protective parents were reluctant to subject their son to any gruelling audition process only to have his hopes dashed and so the life-altering role was at first turned down.

But serendipity smiled down on Dan one evening in a theatre: producer David Heyman and screenwriter Steve Kloves spotted him with his parents in the audience while watching the play 'Stones in his Pockets'.

Heyman knew Dan's father through business connections and introduced himself to Dan during the interval. He then spent the second half of the play totally distracted by his potential Harry.

The next morning, Heyman called Dan's parents to try to persuade them to change their minds about letting him audition and... discovered that they had already had the same idea!

They agreed to an informal meeting between Dan and David Heyman and, once they were confident that he would be protected as much as possible from the media glare if offered the role, agreed that Dan should go for an audition. Then one night while taking a bath, Dan heard his father answer the phone: "My dad came in and told me I'd got the part of Harry Potter. I cried, I was so happy. I woke up in the middle of the night, around half two, and I woke up my dad too, just to check with him that it wasn't all a dream.

That I really was going to be Harry Potter."

The casting of Dan, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in the lead roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger was subsequently announced in August 2000.

Importantly, Potter author Joanne (JK) Rowling gave Dan her seal of approval - when she saw Dan's screen test, she claimed that she felt that "it was like being reunited with [her] long-lost son":

"Having seen Dan Radcliffe's screen test I don't think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry... I think Dan nailed it, and I am really pleased."

Production of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone" began in September 2000 and the worldwide interest in the film was unprecedented.

It was released on 16th November 2001 and was praised widely for its faithful adaptation of Rowling's book, going on to become the second-highest grossing film of all time, behind "Titanic".

Also praised widely was its young star ("... a wonderful Harry... young Radcliffe is perfect as Harry... seems to have been born to play the part...") who found himself on the cover of practically every entertainment magazine of the moment.

Numerous TV appearances in the UK and US followed and curious audiences began to discover the boy behind the lightning-bolt scar. Fan sites began to spring up across the Internet. A star was born.

Into The Chamber

Filming of the sequel, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", began a mere three days after the first film was released.

Frequently described as "a lot darker, a lot scarier... and a lot funnier" than the first film, "Chamber of Secrets" was more of a straightforward action movie and received generally positive reviews when it was released on 15th November 2002. History repeated itself as the film smashed transatlantic box office records and it is currently the ninth-highest grossing film of all time.

Those who worked with Dan on the film have lavished praise on him. Kenneth Branagh has spoken of his joy in working with such a well-balanced young cast. The special effects team were amazed by Dan's ability to act convincingly opposite a ball on a stick in the scenes involving Dobby the House Elf, before the CGI creature was added.

Chris Columbus, speaking after the release of "Chamber of Secrets", was more precise: "What used to take eight or nine takes, now we do it in two or three. Particularly Dan. He has almost become a mini action hero.

He is really strong and I like that strength about him because Harry Potter needs to develop that strength... He is incredibly focused. I've seen actors twice his age who couldn't give as convincing a performance."

The Triwizard Tournament

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead, Harry. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right... and what is easy." (Albus Dumbledore).

Even before the release of Prisoner of Azkaban, production had begun in the spring of 2004 on the next film, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mona Lisa Smile), this film promised to be the most exciting installment yet.

Since 'Goblet' was a highly action packed thriller that centers on an elaborate contest know as the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the physical requirements were much tougher this time around.

For a scene taking place during the second task of the Tournament, Dan actually had to learn to scuba-dive and then act underwater. During the battle with the dragon, Dan's stunts included a 50 foot drop off a rocky embankment.

And to insure that 'Goblet' is the ultimate action thriller, Harry has to bleed! Dan admits that "there is even blood flowing!" But he reassures his fans with a well placed quip and a grin:

"Of course it's not my own, but film blood! However, I did cut my fingers on a page of the script. That hurt like hell!"

About a climactic scene in which Harry hands over the body of a fellow contestant to the boy's father after battling his mortal foe, Lord Voldemort, Dan says: "I had to tap into emotions that I personally never felt, that most people have never felt. Because they were challenging, it does make them fun."

First Kiss

Potter fans worldwide have long anticipated Harry's first onscreen kiss in the fifth installment of the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," directed by David Yates, scheduled for release in June of 2007.

Dan surprised and delighted fans by accepting a part between Potter films in the screen adaptation of the Michael Noonan novel, December Boys, directed by Ron Hardy (The Sullivans).

Dan plays the role of one of four orphaned boys in 1960's Australia, competing for the attention of a possible adoptive family. Interest in the novel and in the film have exploded since Dan signed on for the role, his first outside the Harry Potter franchise since 2001.

Fan excitement has peaked ever more by the news that Dan will have his first onscreen kiss in this movie with actress Teresa Palmer. His perspective on that special moment is simply this...

"My first kiss in the movie was fantastic. But in real life, I'm not very good with women, like Harry Potter, but you know, any boy who says he's never felt awkward around a girl is lying."

In an official press release for the film, Richard Becker, of Becker Entertainment, had this to say about Dan: "Daniel is an actor with talent and intelligence beyond his years. He can step into any role and deliver a brilliant performance. December Boys is a compelling and charming story reminiscent of Stand By Me. It appears audiences continue to seek films with heart and meaning and I believe that December Boys has that special quality. We are thrilled that Daniel has chosen it as his next starring vehicle."

The movie was filmed in Australia from November 2005 to January 2006 to avoid conflict with the production of Order of the Phoenix which began shortly thereafter. December Boys is scheduled for release in December 2006 in the United States, Australia and the UK.

Unfogging The Future

What's next for the remarkably mature young actor, whose exquisite manners, talent and charm have cast such a spell over the cinematic world? Beyond the fifth Potter movie, any casting in future Harry Potter films is just speculation and Dan wisely refuses to commit. Of course, the sixth Harry Potter book was released just this past July and he thought it was fantastic!

In the long term, Dan has expressed an interest in acting and directing. Does he have any preference with regard to role or genre?

"I would consider doing any part as long as the script is good and the film has an interesting director, but it would be a mistake to want to show you can do stuff other than Harry Potter so badly that you just rush into something."

As an experienced actor, Dan is well aware of what's important in the film industry! Dan has now worked alongside half of Britain's A-List actors, such as Alan Rickman, Kenneth Branagh, Julie Walters, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes and the late, great Richard Harris.

When asked who else he would like to work with, Jake Gyllenhaal, Geoffrey Rush (who played Dan's father in "The Tailor of Panama") and Robert Carlyle are at the top of the list.

It is safe to say that whatever path he chooses, Daniel Radcliffe will probably continue to charm all those he meets.

The staff of DanRadcliffe.com are very excited about what's in store for 2006 and beyond, and we wish Dan all the very best in the years to come which should see his star shine even more brightly in the sky than it does already.

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