Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Daniel Radcliffe

Discover the career path of Daniel Radcliffe, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Daniel Radcliffe is an English actor who gained international recognition for his portrayal of Harry Potter in the film series of the same name. From 2001 to 2011, he starred in all eight Harry Potter films, becoming a global icon and a central figure in one of the most successful movie franchises in history. This role established him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry at a young age.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1979: Escape from Pretoria

In 2020, Radcliffe starred as Tim Jenkin in the thriller film Escape from Pretoria, based on the real-life prison escape by three young political prisoners from jail in South Africa in 1979.

1999: Acting Debut in David Copperfield

In 1999, Daniel Radcliffe made his acting debut at age ten in BBC One's two-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, "David Copperfield", portraying the title character as a young boy.

2000: Auditioning for Harry Potter

In 2000, Daniel Radcliffe auditioned for the role of Harry Potter in the film adaptation of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" after being recommended by producer David Heyman.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Paperback] J K Rowling

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2001: Release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

In 2001, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was released, with Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, receiving positive reviews and marking a significant point in his career.

2001: Film Debut in The Tailor of Panama

In 2001, Daniel Radcliffe made his film debut in "The Tailor of Panama", an American film based on John le Carré's 1996 spy novel.

2002: Stage Debut in The Play What I Wrote

In 2002, Daniel Radcliffe made his stage debut as a celebrity guest in a West End production of "The Play What I Wrote", directed by Kenneth Branagh.

2004: Starring in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In 2004, Daniel Radcliffe starred in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", the third film in the series, receiving mixed reviews for his performance.

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2005: Shooting of December Boys

In 2005, Daniel Radcliffe filmed "December Boys", an Australian family drama that was released in September 2007.

2005: Starring in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

In 2005, Daniel Radcliffe starred in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", the fourth film in the series, which became the second-highest grossing Harry Potter film at that point.

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February 2007: Opening of Equus on West End

On February 27, 2007, Daniel Radcliffe starred in the West End revival of Peter Shaffer's play "Equus" at the Gielgud Theatre, receiving critical acclaim for his performance as Alan Strang.

March 2007: Signing on for final Harry Potter films

In March 2007, Daniel Radcliffe signed on to continue his role in the final Harry Potter films, ending speculation about his involvement due to his role in Equus.

June 2007: End of Equus on West End

In June 2007, Daniel Radcliffe's run in the West End revival of "Equus" concluded, marking a significant period in his stage acting career.

September 2007: Release of December Boys

In September 2007, Daniel Radcliffe appeared in the film "December Boys", an Australian family drama that was shot in 2005.

2007: Co-starring in My Boy Jack and publishing poems

In 2007, Daniel Radcliffe co-starred in "My Boy Jack", a television drama film, and published several poems under the pen name Jacob Gershon in the magazine Rubbish.

2007: Starring in Equus on West End

In 2007, Daniel Radcliffe expanded his acting career by starring in the West End production of "Equus", marking his venture into stage acting.

September 2008: Equus Transfers to Broadway

In September 2008, the production of "Equus", starring Daniel Radcliffe, transferred to Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre, with Radcliffe reprising his role.

2008: Charitable Donations and Holocaust Exhibit

In 2008, Daniel Radcliffe donated his old glasses to an exhibit honoring victims of the Holocaust. He also designed the Cu-Bed for Habitat's VIP Kids range, with royalties benefiting Demelza House Children's Hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent in 2008.

2008: Learned of The Trevor Project

In 2008, Daniel Radcliffe first learned of The Trevor Project while performing Equus on Broadway.

2008: National Movie Award for Best Male Performance

In 2008, Daniel Radcliffe received the National Movie Award for "Best Male Performance" for his role as Harry Potter in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix".

July 2009: Release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

In July 2009, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", the sixth installment in the series, was released, earning Daniel Radcliffe nominations at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

2009: Public Service Announcements for The Trevor Project

In 2009, Daniel Radcliffe began filming public service announcements for The Trevor Project, promoting awareness of gay teen suicide prevention.

November 2010: Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

In November 2010, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1" was released, grossing $960 million worldwide.

2010: Nominations at MTV Movie Awards

In 2010, Daniel Radcliffe received nominations for "Best Male Performance" and "Global Superstar" at the MTV Movie Awards for his work in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince".

2010: Advocating for Equal Rights

In a 2010 interview, Daniel Radcliffe stressed the importance of public figures advocating for equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

2010: Voicing a character in The Simpsons

In late 2010, Daniel Radcliffe voiced a character in "The Simpsons" episode "Treehouse of Horror XXI".

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July 2011: Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

In July 2011, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" was released, grossing more than $1.3 billion worldwide and receiving critical acclaim for both the film and Daniel Radcliffe's performance.

2011: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Gypsy of the Year

In 2011, Daniel Radcliffe auctioned off items worn in Equus for New-York-based Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and presented at the Gypsy of the Year competition.

2011: Broadway Debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

In 2011, Daniel Radcliffe debuted as J. Pierrepont Finch in a Broadway revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

2011: Starring in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

In 2011, Daniel Radcliffe starred in the last movie of the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2".

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2011: Hero Award from the Trevor Project

In 2011, Daniel Radcliffe was awarded the Hero Award by the Trevor Project for his advocacy with LGBTQ youth and his contributions to various charities.

January 2012: Departure from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

On January 1, 2012, Daniel Radcliffe left the Broadway production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".

February 2012: Release of The Woman in Black

In February 2012, Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Harry Potter project, "The Woman in Black", was released in the United States, Canada, and the UK.

2012: Acting in The Woman in Black

In 2012, Daniel Radcliffe expanded his film roles by acting in the horror film "The Woman in Black".

2013: Portraying Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings

In 2013, Daniel Radcliffe portrayed Allen Ginsberg in the biopic "Kill Your Darlings".

2013: Kill Your Darlings, The F Word, Horns, and The Cripple of Inishmaan

In 2013, Daniel Radcliffe starred as Allen Ginsberg in "Kill Your Darlings," appeared in "The F Word," and starred in "Horns." Both "Kill Your Darlings" and "The F Word" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Also in 2013, Radcliffe starred in the stage play "The Cripple of Inishmaan" as Billy Claven, winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Play.

2014: Starring in The Cripple of Inishmaan on Broadway

In 2014, Daniel Radcliffe starred in Martin McDonagh's drama "The Cripple of Inishmaan" on Broadway, further establishing his presence in theater.

2015: Victor Frankenstein and The Gamechangers

In 2015, Daniel Radcliffe starred as Igor in "Victor Frankenstein", a science fiction horror film based on Mary Shelley's novel. He also starred as Sam Houser, a founder of Rockstar Games, in the biographical drama "The Gamechangers" in 2015.

2016: Acting in Swiss Army Man and Now You See Me 2

In 2016, Daniel Radcliffe acted in the surreal drama "Swiss Army Man" and the thriller "Now You See Me 2", showcasing his versatility in film roles.

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2016: Now You See Me 2, Swiss Army Man, and Imperium

In 2016, Daniel Radcliffe starred in "Now You See Me 2" as a technological prodigy and villain. He also portrayed a talkative corpse in the indie film "Swiss Army Man" and starred as an FBI agent in the critically acclaimed independent film "Imperium".

2017: Starring in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

In 2017, Daniel Radcliffe starred in the London revival of Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead".

2017: Privacy and Jungle

In 2017, Daniel Radcliffe starred off-Broadway in "Privacy" at The Public Theater, playing The Writer. He also starred as Yossi Ghinsberg in the thriller "Jungle," based on Ghinsberg's memoir in 2017.

2018: Beast of Burden and The Lifespan of a Fact

In 2018, Daniel Radcliffe portrayed a drug-smuggling pilot in "Beast of Burden." He also returned to Broadway in "The Lifespan of a Fact" at Studio 54 Theatre with Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones in 2018.

2019: Starring in Miracle Workers

From 2019 to 2023, Daniel Radcliffe played multiple roles in the anthology comedy series "Miracle Workers".

2019: Miracle Workers and Playmobil: The Movie

In 2019, Daniel Radcliffe starred as Craig in the TBS comedy "Miracle Workers." He also voiced Rex Dasher in the animated film "Playmobil: The Movie" in 2019.

January 2020: Miracle Workers Season Two Premiere

On January 28, 2020, the second season of "Miracle Workers", starring Daniel Radcliffe as Craig, premiered on TBS.

June 2020: Support for Transgender Community

In June 2020, amid controversy over J. K. Rowling's remarks on gender identity, Daniel Radcliffe penned an essay published by The Trevor Project in which he voiced support for the transgender community.

2020: Starring in Endgame

In 2020, Daniel Radcliffe starred in the London revival of Samuel Beckett's "Endgame".

January 2022: Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

On January 1, 2022, Daniel Radcliffe reunited with Harry Potter cast members for the HBO Max special "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts".

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November 2022: Merrily We Roll Along Revival Start

In early 2022, Radcliffe returned to the stage acting in the New York Theatre Workshop revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along, in which he played Charley Kringas. The revival started on 21 November 2022.

December 2022: Merrily We Roll Along Revival Opening

2022: Acting in The Lost City and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

In 2022, Daniel Radcliffe starred in the comedy "The Lost City" and portrayed "Weird Al" Yankovic in the musical parody "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story", earning award nominations for the latter.

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January 2023: Merrily We Roll Along Revival Limited Engagement

2023: Starring in Miracle Workers

From 2019 to 2023, Daniel Radcliffe played multiple roles in the anthology comedy series "Miracle Workers".

2023: Tony Award for Merrily We Roll Along

In 2023, Daniel Radcliffe starred in Stephen Sondheim's musical "Merrily We Roll Along" on Broadway, earning him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and another Grammy Award nomination.