Top 10 Times Daniel Radcliffe Was a Legend

Top 10 Times Daniel Radcliffe Was a Legend

Welcome to WatchMojoUK, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best times that Daniel Radcliffe showcased he was a national treasure. We’ll explore iconic stories and appearances involving the actor that stole our hearts.

#10: Backing His Stunt Performer

From Daniel Radcliffe stepping out in 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,” David Holmes was his stunt double to protect the star from danger. During their time together, the duo became close friends. Sadly, in 2009, when rehearsing a stunt for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1,” Holmes was badly injured when airborne in a harness, resulting in him being paralyzed ever since. In 2020, Radcliffe teamed up with Holmes for the “Cunning Stunts” podcast, where the duo spoke to other stunt performers and the risks involved. Then, in 2023, Radcliffe worked on a documentary about his friend called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which explores what happened and the aftermath.

#9: “Extras” Work

One of the most difficult things for an actor is playing a parody of themself. Potentially, all your insecurities could be shown to the world…fun(!) While in Australia for a project, Radcliffe got the call from Ricky Gervais offering him a role in the sitcom, “Extras.” And he took it without reading the script! He played himself as an awkward teenage actor who hit on older women but still relied on his mum when things got a little much. The scene involving Radcliffe flicking his “johnny” onto Dame Diana Rigg’s head accidentally is worth it alone. Due to his performance, Radcliffe stated in 2012 that he was recognized by folks for "Extras" as often he was for "Harry Potter."

#8: Grandma's Banter

After Hogwarts, Daniel Radcliffe likes picking unusual roles. And thanks to that, we get to see him in projects like “Swiss Army Man.” But another addition to the steller credits of his career was the TV show, “Miracle Workers.” In the first season, Radcliffe plays an angel called Craig. But not everyone agreed with the role, including his own grandmother. When Radcliffe told his 96-year-old nan his part, she laughed and told him it was miscast! Yikes. And with her memory issues, the same joke was repeated to the poor actor! Hopefully, she changed her mind when she saw her grandson performing “She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain” in the show’s third season. That was magical.  

#7: Paparazzi Nightmare

Daniel Radcliffe isn’t a big fan of the byproduct of being an acting star...fame – more on that later. To combat the hungry media looking to snap another picture of him to put in a newspaper, Radcliffe stumbled across a wonderful way to deter the paparazzi. As he recounted on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” when he was performing a play in London, Radcliffe realized that when he forgot to change his clothes for a few days as he left the venue, the press weren’t there armed with their cameras. As it turned out, this is because it’s difficult for them to prove the images were taken on another day. So, for months, Radcliffe wore essentially the same attire to annoy photographers.

#6: The Party Piece

A lot of folks have a little talent that they can whip out at a party to impress strangers. However, not many of us are forced to do it on national television, but Daniel Radcliffe is a trooper. Appearing on “The Graham Norton Show” in 2010, he sang “The Elements,” a song created by the legendary Tom Lehrer. And. It. Was. Amazing. However, Radcliffe was mortified to do it in front of Rhianna and Colin Farrell. But it wasn’t all trauma for the actor. There was a positive to come from this quirky incident. Weird Al Yankovic watched his wonderful rendition and decided he was the actor who would play him in 2022’s “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

#5: Pressures of Fame

Getting thrust into the spotlight can be overwhelming for an adult. But it’s often so much worse for a child star. In 2019, Daniel Radcliffe was interviewed on “Off Camera,” where he discussed the pressure of being constantly watched and not being able to do things that his non-famous friends could do. While he loves acting, the pressure led to Radcliffe taking up drinking to forget that surveillance by the media and fans. However, unsurprisingly, it began negatively affecting him. After failing to stop drinking a couple of times, he eventually gave up alcohol in 2010 and has been tee-total since. This honesty by Radcliffe was refreshing and deserves to be applauded. 

#4: I Am Harry Potter

Following on from his “Extras” success of parodying himself, Radcliffe did it again in the “I Am Harry Potter” sketch. Directed by comedy filmmaker Judd Apatow, the 2010 video did a mock interview with Radcliffe, asking him about his Harry Potter role. In a deadpan delivery, he soon descends into delusion by declaring that he is literally Harry, as the confused interviewer tries to understand. Radcliffe then talks about playing the role of “Dan” and his life after defeating Voldemort before ending by showing the interview his intimate broom burn. Fun fact: the actor seemingly made a big impression on Funny or Die, who produced the sketch, since they were also involved in “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” 

#3: Working the Desk

With the simple premise of Radcliffe working as a receptionist at Nylon magazine for an hour, it all begins rather wholesome. After all, various staff members chat to him and ask for photos. But then, the real work began, and Radcliffe was well over his head as food deliveries and other such tasks trickled in. At one point, he mentions wishing that no one else walked in through the door. Even though the actor was clearly stressed filling in for Lauren, Radcliffe still charmingly delivered that angst with a dash of self-deprecating humour. If he ever wants to stop acting, Radcliffe would have a good, albeit anxiety-ridden, career waiting for him on any front desk.

#2: Supporting The Trevor Project

Away from the screen, one cause that’s close to Radcliffe’s heart is The Trevor Project, a non-profit which supports the LGBTQIA+ community. Radcliffe first got involved with the group in 2009 by making PSAs for them. In 2011, he received their Hero Award for supporting their cause. When “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling began stating her unpleasant gender-critical views, Radcliffe wrote an article for the Trevor Project that stated, “Transgender women are women.” He followed this in 2023 by moderating a discussion with trans and nonbinary youngsters and imploring people to listen to them. With a community such as “Harry Potter” that many people have lost faith in, for its biggest stars to step up in such a way is important.

#1: Rapping Talent

If the post-acting receptionist job isn’t desirable for Radcliffe, he has another calling to fall back on…rapping. In 2014, he was a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where he discussed his love of the music genre. But then, he rapped Blackalicious’s “Alphabet Aerobics,” a notoriously difficult song due to the tongue twisters and increasing speed. Yet the actor nailed it! Yet Radcliffe doesn’t just rap when he’s in a TV studio. He’ll even bring his game out in the wild to the public. In 2015, he was recorded doing karaoke in California performing Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” with his partner Erin Darke alongside him, dancing away and taking on the chorus.

Which UK celebrity do you want us to cover next in the Legend series? David Tennant? Hugh Laurie? Olivia Colman? Idris Elba? Or someone else? Let us know below!