At age five, Radcliffe expressed a desire to act. In December 1999, he made his first on-screen appearance as the title character in the BBC's televised version of the Dickens novel David Copperfield, portraying the title character as a young boy.

In 1999, Radcliffe was selected to portray the wizard Harry Potter in the big-budget adaptations of the popular book series by J.K. Rowling following auditions involving thousands of applicants. Radcliffe's first theatrical film appearance was in 2001 in a small supporting role in The Tailor of Panama; his first film as Potter, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), was released later that year and became what was then the second highest grossing film of all time.

In 2002, Radcliffe reprised his role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Co-starring was Kenneth Branagh, who that same year directed the stage production, The Play What I Wrote, in which Radcliffe made an appearance. In 2004 and 2005, Radcliffe returned to the Potter franchise in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The films continued to produce high box office results and were considered successful worldwide.

Radcliffe's next release will be the independent Australian film, December Boys. Filming on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix began in early 2006, and the film is currently scheduled for release in 2007. In 2007, Radcliffe will appear in a revival of the play Equus, written by Peter Shaffer, in which he will play Alan Strang, a stable boy who becomes obsessed with his horses. During the course of the play, Radcliffe is set to appear nude which, given the actor's age, has attracted some media attention. He has also announced that he will appear as Rudyard Kipling's son in the ITV drama My Boy Jack, starting filming in July 2007.He will also appear in the second series of the British sitcom Extras, and footage of him in the show has appeared on the internet. In the scene, Radcliffe is shown planning to have sex with Ashley Jensen's character Maggie Jacobs.

At the age of 16, Radcliffe became the youngest non-royal ever to have an individual portrait in England's National Portrait Gallery. He was only 14 when he posed for artist Stuart Pearson Wright while on a break from filming Harry Potter. On 13 April 2006, his portrait was unveiled as part of a new exhibition opening at London's Royal National Theatre and then moved to the National Portrait Gallery where it currently resides.


Personal life

Radcliffe was born in Fulham, London, the only child of Alan Radcliffe (a literary agent) and Marcia Gresham (a casting agent, who was involved in several films for the BBC). They have two dogs named Binka and Nugget.

He was previously educated at Sussex House School, Knightsbridge, and is currently educated at the public City of London School. He achieved straight A grades in the three AS-levels he sat in 2006[1], and will now take a break from education in the academic year 2006/07.

Radcliffe plays bass guitar (he was taught by Gary Oldman) and is a rock music fan who admires a diverse lineup of bands, from The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys. As well as being a fan of Fulham Football Club, Radcliffe was a follower of Formula One Racing. While on set, to keep busy, he enjoys playing table tennis and video games with his cast members.

Radcliffe's personal fortune has now exceeded GB £23 million making him one of the richest teenagers in the United Kingdom. He is reported to have earned approximately £150,000 for the first Potter film, about £5.6 million last year, and is expected to rake in more than £8 million for the next film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Radcliffe has been a supporter of various charities, including Demelza House Children's Hospice, to which he has requested fans make donations in lieu of sending him birthday presents.

                       

Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe%2C_Daniel