Daniel Radcliffe first gained fame as Harry Potter, but it took more than 20 years after he first waved his wand for him to win his first major acting honor — a Tony Award.
The first of the eight Harry Potter films was released in 2001, quickly endearing Radcliffe to fans around the globe as The Boy Who Lived. When he was ready to move on from Hogwarts, Radcliffe embraced more mature roles, appearing in Equus on Broadway and starring in various experimental indie films, such as Horns (2013) and Swiss Army Man (2016).
Since the blockbuster franchise ended, Radcliffe has explained his extensive work on Broadway, saying, “At a time when the rest of the world was being like, ‘You are always going to be Harry Potter,’ it was Broadway that kind of went, ‘Let’s see what else you can do,’” he told CBS Mornings in June 2024, just days before winning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in Merrily We Roll Along.
Scroll down to revisit Radcliffe’s career over the years, from Harry Potter to Broadway, and beyond!
#1 You’re a Wizard, Harry
In 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone provided Radcliffe with his big break. “I absolutely think it was because I looked good in the glasses,” he joked to the Sunday Times nearly 15 years after landing the iconic role.
#2 The Saga Continues
A year later, the second installment of the Harry Potter series hit theaters, and fans watched as Radcliffe took on the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets.
#3 Third Time’s the Charm
In 2004, the young Brit returned to Hogwarts for the third of what would be eight Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
#4 Making His Mark
In 2007, Radcliffe was joined by his co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as the trio cemented their handprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
#5 From Screen to Stage
In 2007, Radcliffe made a significant transition to live theater, starring in a revival of Equus in London’s West End alongside Richard Griffiths and Joanna Christie. The following year, the production moved to Broadway, earning him a nomination for a Drama Desk Award in 2009.
#6 The Magic Continues
After the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series, The Half-Blood Prince, hit theaters in 2009, Radcliffe received nominations for Best Male Performance and Global Superstar at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
#7 The Beginning of the End
Lifelong Harry Potter fans began to bid farewell to the beloved characters they had grown up with when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I premiered in November 2010. Less than a year later, the series came to an end.
#8 Moving On
After his Harry Potter days, Radcliffe delved into musical theatre, joining the cast of the 2011 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The production received nine Tony nominations before Radcliffe eventually passed the torch to Darren Criss.
#9 Live, From New York!
Shortly after concluding his Broadway run, Radcliffe made his debut as host on Saturday Night Live, featuring musical guest Lana Del Rey.
#10 Red Carpet Ready
In 2014, Radcliffe attended the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC with girlfriend Erin Darke, whom he met on the set of 2013’s Kill Your Darlings. Reflecting on their first encounter, Radcliffe humorously noted, “It’ll be a hell of a story to tell our kids one day because of what our characters do with each other.”
#11 Cementing His Stardom
In November 2015, Radcliffe was honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Reflecting on the momentous occasion surrounded by friends, family, and his parents, he expressed gratitude, stating that he would “never stop feeling lucky to be” where he is today.
#12 Star of Sundance
Swiss Army Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016, marking a quirky turn in the British actor’s career.
The film, co-starring Paul Dano and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, follows the adventures of a man and a washed-up corpse played by Radcliffe. It garnered several prestigious nominations following its debut.
#13 Back on the Great White Way
Radcliffe joined Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones in the 2018 Broadway adaptation of The Lifespan of a Fact, a high-stakes comedy revolving around a determined fact-checker and an overbearing magazine editor.
#14 Making New Magic
In February 2019, Radcliffe’s latest project, Miracle Workers, premiered its first season on TBS. The show featured Steve Buscemi as God, with Radcliffe portraying one of his many angels.
It was renewed for a second season, shifting focus to a medieval village governed by a selfish young king, played by Radcliffe.
#15 Unbreakable!
In May 2020, Radcliffe joined Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, and Jane Krakowski in Netflix’s interactive special, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend.
Ahead of the movie’s release, Kemper praised Radcliffe’s talents and work ethic, saying, “I know how mega talented he is, and I know how hard he works at what he does. I was blown away by his professionalism and how funny he was.”
#16 What’s Next?
In July 2021, Radcliffe hinted at his willingness to join another major movie franchise, albeit not in the role fans might expect.
“I would love to be in a movie like that but in the instance of [Fast & Furious], if I could have a non-driving part, that would be great,” he joked on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast.
“Driving on camera is maybe the part of my job that I hate the most. I barely drive in real life. I have a license. But I really am not good at it and don’t really do it. So trying to hit a mark, in a car, is my most hated part of it. I could do some of the admin.”
“I’m sure they must need a lot of that. There must be an administration guy there. Someone has to look after these guys. … Hey, if the producers of the franchise are interested, I could get into it.”
#17 A Villainous Turn
Radcliffe returned to the box office blockbuster scene in 2022’s The Lost City, starring opposite Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock. In the film, he portrayed the antagonist, Abigail Fairfax.
#18 Almost a Dad
In March 2023, Us broke the news that Radcliffe and his longtime girlfriend Erin Darke were expecting their first child together.
According to a source, “Daniel and Erin are absolutely overjoyed about the pregnancy. It’s a dream come true! They’ve been proudly showing photographs of the ultrasound to their closest family and friends.”
#19 Proud Parents
The proud parents welcomed a son in spring 2023 and brought him to the picket line during the SAG-AFTRA strike the following July.
#20 Tony Winner
Radcliffe won his first Tony Award in June 2024 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Charlie in the Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along.
“Thank you so much. I’m going to just talk fast and try not to cry,” Radcliffe said as he took the stage, expressing gratitude to his cast, crew, and personal team.
He continued by thanking his family for their unwavering support:
“My mum and dad are here somewhere — happy Father’s Day, dad, I love you both so much. Thank you for playing Sondheim in the car and just, you know, loving me. And my love, Erin, you and our son are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you so much.”
