Dan
Zodiac Sign
Leo the Lion
Birthdate
July 23, 1989 in London, England, UK
Family
Father: Alan Radcliffe, literary agent
Mother: Marcia Gresham, casting director
Height
5' 2" (approximately 157 centimeters)
Trivia
Likes to play pranks. He took co-star Robbie Coltrane's cellular phone and changed it so all the messages were in Turkish.
Radcliffe had to convince his parents to allow him to go into acting.
Has a dog named Binker.
Tried reading the first Harry Potter book when he was 8 years old, but was unable to finish it. Finally read the entire book when he was cast in the lead role of the film.
Has never actually seen the film Tailor of Panama, The (2001) in which he appeared.
Personal Quotes
After being cast as Harry Potter: "I think I'm a tiny bit like Harry 'cos I'd like to have an owl. Yeah, that's
the tiny bit, actually."
On how he will deal with fame: "I'm just going to take it as it comes and see what happens. I think a bit of fame will probably just be fun, and I won't mind it. But I still want to lead a normal life with my friends." (E! Online, November 2001) *For more quotes, pls. go to our Quotes link*
Salary
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone (2001) - $110,000
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - $3,000,000
Biography
Daniel Radcliffe, of Fulham, west London, is the son of Marcia Gresham, a casting agent, and Alan Radcliffe, a literary agent with International Creative Management (ICM). His first professional acting experience was as the young David Copperfield in the 1999 BBC production of Charles Dickens' popular novel. Dan's flying career start only came about because of a chance remark at his home. His parents had friends around for dinner who suggested he go for a role in the TV production of Oliver Twist. His parents were not keen, but eventually warmed to the idea when Copperfield came up - produced by their friend Kate Harwood.
"My mum sent in a Polaroid of me to the BBC, because I've always wanted to act since I was five," Daniel said. "My mum and dad never thought it was a very good idea. So I went for about five auditions and then I got the part."
Those who have worked with him believe he is a natural screen actor, and perfect for the role of Harry. Kate Harwood, who produced David Copperfield and gave Daniel his first big break, said: "He has a particular quality of naturalness and innocence. The camera really loves him, and other children don't feel threatened by him. One normally dreads working with child actors, but in his case he was wonderful. We cast him for his special qualities of gentleness and watchfulness. He has those in spades. He has a great deal of charm and simplicity. He's very at ease with himself. He'll be terrific as Harry Potter because of his great sense of fun. He's very lively and energetic."
Daniel struck up a great rapport with fellow actors on David Copperfield including Dame Maggie Smith, who will also feature in the Harry Potter film. "Dame Maggie adored him," Ms Harwood said. "She was so fond of him she gave him a lovely present, an astronaut's pen." She added: "He won't be overwhelmed by the Harry Potter mania. He's quite cool and calm about that sort of thing."
Actor Ian McNeice, who worked alongside Radcliffe in David Copperfield agreed: "He has a magical quality about him. He takes direction very well, and is very expressive with his eyes. The scenes I had with him were a joy. Every now and then you find someone who is completely natural, and he is one of those. I wasn't at all surprised when he got the job, and am absolutely thrilled to bits for him."
Movie News: The Mirror reports on Feb 17, 2001, that Daniel Radcliffe has landed a 1-million-pounds deal to star in the sequel "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets," and that he could be in line for 10 million pounds if all seven of JK Rowling's planned books are filmed. Studio chiefs fear the 11-year-old's resemblance to the teenage wizard will alter as he ages. His voice could also break and they have moved quickly in deciding to start the second movie only weeks after finishing the first one. "Daniel has proven himself a brilliant young actor and perfect for the part. It's a race against time, they know they must make the second film this year."
Daniel also got a role in the John Boorman movie "The Tailor of Panama (release date: March 30, 2001)," starring Pierce Brosnan and Jamie Lee Curtis, and directed by John Boorman. He plays the son of the character Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush).
Movie News: Jam! Showbiz has a short report on the spy thriller "The Tailor of Panama" where Daniel Radcliffe plays the son of Jamie Lee Curtis and Geoffrey Rush. Jamie Lee on Daniel: "The moment Daniel walked through the door I told him he should be Harry Potter. I was so convinced he was the ideal choice that I told his mother he'd be perfect. I was so happy when months later I read he was the choice." John Boorman, who directed Radcliffe in Tailor of Panama, cynically says that "the boy can say goodbye to his childhood. This is the biggest role there has been for a child in more than a decade. He's going to become the centre-ring in a media circus." Curtis is not nearly as concerned for Radcliffe: "His mother is really knowledgeable about the film business. She knows the possible pitfalls that await him. I was impressed at how deeply she was concerned about subjecting him to the wild onslaught that will inevitably happen to him when Harry Potter is released."