Everyone knows what Harry Potter is. The movie series has been watched by billions of people around the world and been translated into dozens of languages. The first movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 2001 and was followed by six more movies. In the United Kingdom, the number of people that have watched the Harry Potter movies is equivalent to the population of England.
The movies are famous for the fantastic characters, the quirky humor, and the exciting magical story lines. Although the movies are fiction, the actors and actresses who have played pivotal roles in the series have become household names. Some of the most recognizable faces include:
Robert Pattinson
The series’ most famous heartthrob is Robert Pattinson. He played the role of Harry Potter in three of the movies. With his brooding good looks, pale skin, and untameable hair, he will forever be associated with the boy who lived. Outside of the movies, Pattinson has appeared in numerous films and TV shows including the highly successful Twilight films. He has also directed two of the three Harry Potter movies. In 2010, he released his first full-length album, entitled “Believe,” which was inspired by his love for the series.
Fang Fang
Another memorable face from the Harry Potter series is Fang Fang. She played the part of Hermione Granger in three movies, one of which is called Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This adventurous and tomboyish girl is known for her love of owls, hiking, and motorbikes. She also enjoys playing the piano, which is hinted at in the movie when she performs “The Sorcerer’s Dance” with Harry Potter. Unfortunately, Fang Fang passed away in 2006 at the age of 22. She had been suffering from severe depression since she was a teenager. She leaves behind a legacy as one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series.
Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood played the role of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies. His family is very famous for its association with Lord of the Rings, which he co-wrote and produced. Wood has appeared in numerous films since then, including the blockbuster Avatar. In 2021, he will star in the much-anticipated sequel, Harry Potter and the Peaceful. He recently shared an interesting tidbit about his character Ron Weasley which we will discuss a little later.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson, who plays the role of Mary Potter in the Harry Potter series, is the elder sister of Fleur and Vanessa. She is also a member of the Order of the Phoenix, an honorary position in the Harry Potter world. Watson has starred in numerous films and TV shows including the highly acclaimed BBC series, “Sherlock.” In 2020, she will star in the highly anticipated Harry Potter sequel, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” Watson has also been a high-profile vegan activist and environmentalist.
Dan Weiss
Dan Weiss plays the role of Ariana Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. Weiss is the son of the late Phineas and Estelle Weiss, founders of Hogsden, a charitable foundation that helps children with cancer. Even though he is an actor, he doesn’t really consider himself to be a celebrity. He loves spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Helen McCrory
While most people know Helen McCrory from her role as Daphne Greengrass in the Harry Potter series, she has also appeared in the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Battle of the Roses. She was awarded a BAFTA for her performance in the latter. McCrory was born in Scotland and has lived there most of her life. She also trained at the Drama Centre in London. Her most memorable scene in the Harry Potter series comes at the end of the third movie when she confronts the evil Voldemort about killing Harry’s parents. Before that moment, McCrory had played a minor character named Mrs. Weasley, though she was the one who got the best lines. At the end of the third movie, when Voldemort asks whether Harry’s parents deserved to die, McCrory responds, ”Yes, they did. They always did.”
Billie Piper
Billie Piper, who played the role of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter series, is the youngest of the four children of Piper and Pauline Teffler. She grew up in London and attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She made her professional acting debut in 2013 and has since appeared in numerous films and TV shows. She is best known for her role as Jane Chapman in the television show, “Vera.
In the Harry Potter series, Ginny is portrayed as the naïve and energetic younger sister of Harry Potter. She enjoys video games, dance parties, and meeting new people. She also has a great love for animals, particularly snakes. In one of the most memorable scenes from the series, she protects her pet rat, Scrotus, from a hungry snake. The rat escapes and later returns as an extra appendage in the snake’s severed head.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins, who starred as Alice in the Harry Potter movies, is the older sister of Rosie and Kate. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and then moved to New York to try her hand at Broadway. She made her film debut in the 1999 slasher flick, “I Spit on Your Grave,” as well as the 2004 psychological thriller, “The Intruder.” Collins has since appeared in numerous films and TV shows including the HBO series, “Confirmation.” In 2020, she will star in the highly anticipated Harry Potter sequel, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”
Collins is also well known for her philanthropic work. She and her sister founded the Collins Girls’ Charitable fund, which provides accommodation and a wide range of services to young women in need. In 2016, she established a second fund in memory of her mother, who died of breast cancer in 2013. The Mary Kathleen Collins Breast Cancer Research fund supports research into the disease.
While it is great to see so many familiar faces from the Harry Potter series, this is also a reminder that many beloved actors, actresses, and other people have sadly passed away due to suicide. The stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction still haven’t disappeared, which makes this issue more important than ever to raise awareness about these things.