Daniel Radcliffe Biography

Daniel Radcliffe (born on 23 July 1989) is an English actor, best known for playing the wizard Harry Potter in each of the first five films based on the best-selling book series, written by J. K. Rowling.

Biography

Daniel Radcliffe was born in Fulham, London, the only child of Alan Radcliffe (a literary agent) and Marcia Gresham (a casting agent, who was involved in several films for the BBC). At age five, he expressed a desire to act. In December 1999, he made his first on-screen appearance as the title character in the BBC's televised version of the Dickens novel David Copperfield.

In 1999, Daniel Radcliffe was selected to portray the wizard Harry Potter in the big-budget adaptations of the popular book series by J.K. Rowling following auditions involving thousands of applicants. Radcliffe's first theatrical film appearance was in 2001 in a small supporting role in The Tailor of Panama; his first film as Potter, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), was released later that year and became what was then the third highest grossing film of all time (then beaten only by The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and "Titanic").

In 2002, Daniel Radcliffe reprised his role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Co-starring was Kenneth Branagh, who that same year directed the stage production, The Play What I Wrote, in which Radcliffe made an appearance. In 2004 and 2005, Radcliffe returned to the Potter franchise in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The films continued to produce high box office results and were considered successful worldwide.

Daniel Radcliffe's next release will be the independent Australian film, December Boys. Filming on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix began in early 2006, and the film is currently scheduled for release in 2007. Radcliffe will also appear on the television sitcom, Extras.

At the age of 16, Radcliffe became the youngest non-royal ever to have an individual portrait in England's National Portrait Gallery. He was only 14 when he posed for artist Stuart Pearson Wright while on a break from filming the Potter movies. On April 13th 2006, his portrait was unveiled as part of a new exhibition opening at London's National Theatre and then moved to the National Portrait Gallery where it currently resides. Daniel Radcliffe.com

Daniel Radcliffe was previously educated at Suss-- House School, Knightsbridge, and is currently educated at the public City of London School. He has two dogs named Binka and Nugget.

He plays bass guitar and is a rock music fan who admires a diverse lineup of bands, from The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys. As well as being a fan of Fulham Football Club, Daniel was a follower of Formula One Racing. While on set, to keep busy, Daniel enjoys playing table tennis and video games with his other cast members.

Daniel Radcliffe's personal fortune has now exceeded GB £23 million making him one of the richest teenagers in the United Kingdom. Radcliffe has been a supporter of various charities, including the Demelza House, to which he has requested fans make donations in lieu of sending him birthday presents.