It’s hard to believe that 2001 was so long ago. But it was, which means Harry Potter came out over 20 years ago. To honor this ridiculously old franchise, HBO Max has released a special called Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. So this felt like a good time to compile the 10 most unique fun facts I could find about the (old) man who played the boy wizard, Daniel Radcliffe.
1) People Often Confuse Him With Elijah Wood, Because Everyone Thinks Radcliffe Played Frodo
Elijah Wood is the star of a different fantasy blockbuster franchise called The Lord of the Rings. They made like three of them. And then apparently three more (prequels I guess). They weren’t as good as the originals according to Twitter. Either way, Daniel Radcliffe didn’t play Frodo. Although he would have been the right height at the time. Still, it must be tough having people confuse you for someone else all the time.
2) Daniel Radcliffe starred in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
It might be hard to believe now, because the little kid in that movie is so small, but that tiny human is in fact Daniel Radcliffe. He’s just grown up in the last 20 years.
3) The First Harry Potter Book Is Called The Philosopher’s Stone If You’re British
Sorcerer isn’t a word in British. Unfortunately, there is also no direct translation, so the filmmakers just decided to change the name to a word the red coats could understand. This doesn’t have to do with Radcliffe specifically, but I thought it was cool and it’s my list so f*ck you so I make the rules.
4) Elijah Wood Played Harry Potter In Order of the Phoenix As A Joke
Radcliffe and Elijah Wood thought it would be funny if Wood went to set to play Harry during the start of production on the fifth Harry Potter film. The director noticed right away, but agreed to let Wood keep the prank going the next day. The three men thought the crew would catch on quickly. When they didn’t, everyone just decided to carry on. Wood obviously goes uncredited in the film, and has yet to be paid a cent for his work. J.K. Rowling still has no idea about the switch.
5) Producer Mark Radcliffe Is Not Related To Daniel
Mark Radcliffe produced the Home Alone films and the first two Harry Potter movies with director Chris Columbus. Despite sharing the same last name with Daniel, the two aren’t related. This is surprising because of the rampant nepotism in Hollywood.
6) Dobby And Daniel Radcliffe Have An Ongoing Blood Feud
Dobby The House Elf, who played himself in several of the Harry Potter films, hates Daniel Radcliffe’s guts. Dobby’s most notable appearance was in The Chamber of Secrets, and that’s where the trouble began. Radcliffe would religiously tease Dobby, who worked hard to memorize his lines in between takes and was always the first to set. Dobby’s efforts were merely fodder for Radcliffe, who called the elf names such as “flobby Dobby” and “Dobby the House B*tch.” What at first was annoying hazing soon turned into harsh and brutal beat downs. Radcliffe often would summon Dobby to his trailer under the guise of “rehearsing” only to then smack the elf around with a flyswatter. Dobby details their feud in his book “I’ll Kill, Daniel Radcliffe. I Swear On My Father’s Grave I’ll Kill You.” Their most recent public smackdown took place at Disneyland, where Dobby blinded Radcliffe with scolding hot tea before shoving him to the ground, where he was then mercilessly run over by a stampede of Storm Troopers.
7) Radcliffe Flunked Out Of Hogwarts In Year 2
While Harry Potter didn’t finish school at Hogwarts either, at least he got to the final year. He also, you know, had bigger fish to fry (not literally). Radcliffe was kicked out of Hogwarts after being on academic probation throughout both year 1 and 2. The final straw came when he was caught smoking cigarettes under the bleachers at a Quidditch game. Luckily he found acting soon after.
8) He’s Been Arrested 47 Times For “Misuse of Magic”
Despite never finishing magic school, he apparently picked up a lot of little tricks, and has often used them inappropriately. He last made headlines for casting a spell on a car to make it fly him home. He was plastered drunk and the car got stuck in a tree when he fell asleep behind the wheel. They had to send Maggie Smith to get him down. Another time he cast a spell on his neighbor’s dog that made the pooch able to open the back door. The doggo ran in the night and the owners didn’t recover their pet until the following morning. When asked why he did it, Radcliffe said, “the little sh*t was louder than hell, wasn’t he?”
9) He Has No Memory Of Anything From 2012-2017
It is unknown whether he was blind stinking drunk, high off his balls, or had a spell put on him by Gilderoy Lockhart. Either way, it isn’t all that bad because it means he doesn’t remember making the collosal mega flop Victor Frankenstein with the guy who played Processor X (the young version).
10) I Once Asked Him For An Autograph And He Said, “Sign It Yourself, You Stupid Jerk”
I was out for a drink (alone) at a pub on Diagon Alley, and I noticed Daniel was out for a drink with some friends. I was about to leave, but decided I’d stay just long enough to say hi and ask for an autograph. So about 7 hours later when he was heading out I ran up to him. Just as I got there two if his lady friends slapped him across the face in quick succession before zipping off. He yelled in their direction, “I’ve had better, haven’t I? Ya bunch of wankers.” While he was still holding his freshly smacked face I held up a pen and paper and asked for his signature. He gave me a look, spat in my face and said, “sign it yourself, you stupid jerk.” I told him I’ve been a massive fan of Harry Potter for as long as I can remember. He scoffed and said “I hate Harry Potter, and I’ve only seen Order of the Phoenix. The next time I hear from one of you idiots who are obsessed with it I’m going pay my bodyguard to beat the crap out of you.” He then promptly flicked me off, while using his other hand to snap his fingers, signalling for his limousine to pull closer. He got in and it sped off into the night. I stood there speechless for hours. So yeah, I stopped watching Harry Potter after that.
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