Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born July 23, 1989) is a British actor and producer. He is best known for his role as Harry Potter in the film series of the same name, which brought him international fame and recognition. Radcliffe has since established himself as a versatile actor, taking on a variety of roles in film, television, and theater.
Early Life
Daniel Radcliffe was born at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in the Fulham district of London. He is the only child of Alan George Radcliffe, a literary agent, and Marcia Jeannine Gresham, a casting agent. Radcliffe expressed an interest in acting from a young age and made his acting debut at the age of ten in the BBC One television film David Copperfield (1999), where he played the title character as a young boy.
Career
Radcliffe’s breakthrough came in 2001 when he was cast as Harry Potter in the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s popular book series. He starred in all eight films of the series, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). The success of the Harry Potter films made Radcliffe one of the highest-paid actors in the world and earned him a large fan base.
After the Harry Potter series, Radcliffe sought to diversify his acting career. He starred in the horror film The Woman in Black (2012), the romantic comedy What If (2013), and the biographical drama Kill Your Darlings (2013), where he portrayed poet Allen Ginsberg. Radcliffe also took on roles in independent films such as Swiss Army Man (2016) and Guns Akimbo (2019).
In addition to his film work, Radcliffe has appeared in several television series, including A Young Doctor’s Notebook (2012–2013) and Miracle Workers (2019–present). He has also performed on stage, starring in productions such as Equus (2007–2009) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2011–2012).
Personal Life
Radcliffe is known for his philanthropic efforts and supports various charitable organizations, including the Demelza House Children’s Hospice. He has been open about his struggles with alcohol and has been sober since 2010. Radcliffe is in a long-term relationship with actress Erin Darke, whom he met on the set of Kill Your Darlings.
Filmography
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) as Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) as Harry Potter
- The Woman in Black (2012) as Arthur Kipps
- Kill Your Darlings (2013) as Allen Ginsberg
- What If (2013) as Wallace
- Swiss Army Man (2016) as Manny
- Guns Akimbo (2019) as Miles
Awards and Nominations
Radcliffe has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including the National Movie Award for Best Male Performance for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the Audience Award for Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
