by When Daniel Radcliffe was first offered the iconic role of Harry Potter, he was only 11 years old. Yet even at that young age, Radcliffe knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. In a recent interview, he revealed the rather amusing reason why he simply had to say yes to playing The Boy Who Lived.
“I was a huge fan of the books already, I’ll admit it. I loved reading them,” Radcliffe said. “So there was no way I was going to turn down a chance to actually be Harry Potter himself. Even if it meant wearing a wig and clunky glasses for years on end!”
It’s no secret that Radcliffe was a devoted Potterhead even before landing the lead role in the film franchise. He counts the books among his favorite stories from childhood.
“I was totally obsessed with the wizarding world,” Radcliffe said. “I wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly. I actually tried to sign myself up when I was 9 as a joke. Yeah…that didn’t work.”
Radcliffe believes this innate love of magic helped fuel his passion for bringing the character of Harry to life onscreen.
“I felt like I just got him, you know?,” Radcliffe explained. “I understood why Harry was so special to so many kids. He was powerful and courageous, but still vulnerable at times. Playing him was my chance to be the wizard I always dreamed of being.”
Separating Daniel from Harry Of course, taking on such an iconic literary role at just 11 years old was not without its challenges. Many child actors struggle to separate their own identity from that of the fictional characters they portray. Surprisingly, Radcliffe says he didn’t face the same problems.
“I know it sounds weird, but I was very aware Harry wasn’t me,” said Radcliffe. “I loved him and related to him, yes. But I had no trouble taking off the costume and glasses at the end of the day and just going back to being plain old Dan.”
Radcliffe credits his parents for grounding him and keeping him level-headed amidst the growing frenzy of Pottermania.
“My mom and dad made sure to remind me there was a world outside of Hogwarts,” Radcliffe laughed. “They didn’t let me get too caught up in all the attention and fame. To them, I was still just their son.”
Bringing Book Harry to Life As ardent fans worked themselves into a frenzy for the first Harry Potter film in 2001, Radcliffe prepared extensively to translate Book Harry to the big screen. He was adamant about getting the character just right, especially when it came to channeling Harry’s complex emotional journey throughout the story.
“I took it so seriously,” said Radcliffe. “I wanted to perfectly capture every phase Harry went through. I must have re-read those books a hundred times before filming so I could master everything from innocent young Harry to angry teenage Harry. My poor parents heard me practice angsty lines around the house for months!”
Radcliffe’s dedication certainly paid off when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone smashed box office records in 2001. To this day, Radcliffe counts Harry as one of his favorite and most meaningful roles.
“It was my job to grow up with this character that meant so much to fans,” Radcliffe said. “I’ll always see those films as a huge part of my life.”
Even two decades later, there are still some hilarious – albeit cringe-worthy – mementos from those early days playing the fresh-faced boy wizard.
“I recently found an old journal I kept in character as Harry while filming the first movie,” Radcliffe laughed. “Yep, I wrote entries about playing Quidditch and worrying about passing my O.W.L exams. Merlin’s beard, I was such a nerd!”
The Harry Potter Legacy Twenty years later, the cultural impact of Harry Potter continues to grow. New generations of readers dive into the books every year, while the films dominate cable TV broadcasts. Radcliffe says Harry’s legacy makes him prouder than he can possibly express.
“To this day, fans tell me that my performance made them feel seen,” said Radcliffe. “So many kids found courage in a character that wasn’t all that different from them underneath the wizard surface. Harry inspired them to persevere and believe in themselves when it felt like the entire world was against them. That means more to me than any accolade.”
Of course, Radcliffe understands Harry Potter also helped launch his own acting career in an unprecedented way. Headlining one of the most successful film franchises in Hollywood history will do that for an aspiring young performer.
“Harry basically kickstarted my entire professional life,” said Radcliffe. I’ll be thanking J.K. Rowling for the next hundred years!”
Even two decades after his big screen debut, fans still can’t quite separate Radcliffe from Harry in their minds.
“I mean, I get it,” said Radcliffe. “If I found out Harry Potter was real and walking around London somewhere, I’d freak out too. So I can’t blame anyone for still seeing me as him.”
In a touch of life imitating art, the actor admits Harry partially inspired Radcliffe to pursue performing in the first place. He grew up reading the books about a boy who boldly followed his passion to magical heights. So naturally, Radcliffe wanted to strive for the same.
“Here was this epic story about the advantage of following your dreams and believing in yourself,” said Radcliffe. “Harry Potter gave me the courage to set foot on my own fantastical path.”
And 20 years later, just like Harry, Radcliffe’s path shows no signs of ending any time soon.
The Boy Who Lived On While his fellow Potter young stars have shied from the spotlight, Radcliffe continues to challenge himself as an actor in eclectic film and theater projects.
“I’m honestly having more fun than ever,” Radcliffe admitted with his famously sly grin. “I felt constrained by people’s view of me for a long time post-Potter. But I’ve broken out of that box now and can go after the nuts type of roles I enjoy.”
Referring to his turn as singer/songwriter “Weird Al” Yankovic in an upcoming biopic, Radcliffe joked: “Pretty sure Harry Potter wouldn’t ever go for getting weird hair extensions and a wild perm!”
Indeed, the star has moved miles away from his enchanted school days at Hogwarts with films like Guns Akimbo, Swiss Army Man, and Victor Frankenstein. Radcliffe’s daring efforts reveal an artist determined to prove his scope and range extends far beyond one iconic role.
“I never want to limit myself,” said Radcliffe. “I love shocking people with a performance they weren’t expecting from me.”
The actor also returns regularly to the stage, his first love. He starred in Broadway productions of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and The Lifespan of a Fact.
“Theater is my happy place,” said Radcliffe. “It keeps my skills sharp and challenges me in new ways all the time.”
Yes, life after Harry remains busy and creatively gratifying for Daniel Radcliffe at age 33. While the spectacled boy wizard will forever be a part of him, he now writes his own story outside J.K. Rowling’s magical universe. Still, he looks back on his decade-long stint in Hogwarts robes with profound fondness.
“As cheesy as it sounds, I think I’ll feel eternally bonded to Harry and those who loved him,” Radcliffe said sincerely. “We all grew up together after all. And like Harry, I plan to just keep moving forward to whatever adventure comes my way next!”
