Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born 23 July 1989)[1] is an English actor who rose to prominence as the title character in the Harry Potter film series. He made his acting debut at 10 years of age in BBC Ones 1999 television movie David Copperfield, followed by his film debut in 2001s The Tailor of Panama. At age 11, he was cast as Harry Potter in the first Harry Potter film, and starred in the series for 10 years until the release of the eighth and final film in 2011. Radcliffe began to branch out to stage acting in 2007, starring in the London and New York productions of Equus, and in the 2011 Broadway revival of the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He starred in the 2012 horror film The Woman in Black, and played beat poet Allen Ginsberg in the 2013 independent film Kill Your Darlings. He has contributed to many charities, including Demelza House Childrens Hospice and The Trevor Project. He also made public service announcements for the latter. In 2011, he was awarded the Trevor Projects Hero Award.-HARRY POTTER:In 2000, producer David Heyman asked Radcliffe to audition for the role of Harry Potter for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, the best-selling book by British author J. K. Rowling.[18][19] Rowling had been searching for an unknown British actor to personify the character; however, Radcliffes parents did not want him to audition for the role, as the contract required shooting all seven films in Los Angeles, California, and so they did not tell him.[20] The movies director Chris Columbus recalled thinking, This is what I want. This is Harry Potter, after he saw a video of the young actor in David Copperfield.[20] Eight months later, and after several auditions, Radcliffe was selected to play the part.[21] Rowling also endorsed the selection saying, I dont think Chris Columbus could have found a better Harry.[22] Radcliffes parents originally turned down the offer, as they had been told that it would involve six films shot in Los Angeles.[23] Warner Bros. instead offered Radcliffe a two-movie contract with shooting in the UK though,[20] when signing up, Radcliffe was unsure if he would do any more pictures.[24] The release of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the United States) took place in 2001. The story follows Harry, a young boy who learns he is a wizard and is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his education; gaining the help of friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) along the way. Radcliffe received a seven figure salary for the lead role, but asserted that the fee was not that important to him;[25] his parents chose to invest the money for him.[20] The film broke records for opening-day sales and opening-weekend takings, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2001. With a total of US$974 million in ticket sales, Philosophers Stone stands as the second most commercially successful in the series behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the final instalment.[26] The adaptation was met with positive reviews and critics took notice of Radcliffe:[27] Radcliffe is the embodiment of every readers imagination. It is wonderful to see a young hero who is so scholarly looking and filled with curiosity and who connects with very real emotions, from solemn intelligence and the delight of discovery to deep family longing, wrote Bob Graham of the San Francisco Chronicle.[28]
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:54:35 +0000
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