Daniel Radcliffe was born on July 23, 1989 in London, England, UK. He is the only child of Alan Radcliffe, a literary agent, and Marcia Gresham, a casting director. He enjoys playing pranks on friends, and is quoted as being a fan of the Fullham Football club, professional wresting, formula one racing, and, of course, acting. Daniel attends an all boy school and enjoys the music of REM and U2. When TV Guide asked Daniel about his future plans, he stated "I might like to be an actor...but there are loads of other things I'm interested in as well like music and writing and sports. I want to keep my options open." Daniel enjoys Pokémon and The Simpsons, and has said that he would like to one day play cinematic spy James Bond.

Daniel has wanted to be an actor since the age of five. He has proven himself to be a brilliant, completely natural screen actor. He had to convince his parents to allow him to go into acting. Daniel Radcliffe also won his first Hollywood award. Radcliffe won the Male Youth Discovery of the Year Award from the Hollywood Women's Press Club. But he wasn't able to pick up his award in person as he whas filming Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets.

The boy chosen from thousands of hopefuls to play the role of Harry Potter faced the world's media for the first time on Wednesday and admitted to being a "tiny bit" like the young wizard he will portray. A shy Daniel Radcliffe said he was delighted to get the magical part despite only reading two of J.K. Rowling's books and was the envy of his classmates who he said were obsessed with the series.

Daniel Radcliffe, of Fulham, west London, is the son of Marcia Gresham, a casting agent, and Alan Radcliffe, a literary agent with International Creative Management (ICM). His first professional acting experience was as the young David Copperfield in the 1999 BBC production of Charles Dickens' popular novel. Dan's flying career start only came about because of a chance remark at his home. His parents had friends around for dinner who suggested he go for a role in the TV production of Oliver Twist. His parents were not keen, but eventually warmed to the idea when Copperfield came up - produced by their friend Kate Harwood. "My mum sent in a Polaroid of me to the BBC, because I've always wanted to act since I was five," Daniel said. "My mum and dad never thought it was a very good idea. So I went for about five auditions and then I got the part."

"I never thought of me as being Harry, although when a friend of mine told me they were holding auditions, I was dead keen. The story that my mom and dad didn't want me to do it because they were frightened of the effect it might have on me wasn't really true. They were just afraid I would be disappointed if I auditioned and didn't get the part." Daniel denied about that rumors.

Those who have worked with him believe he is a natural screen actor, and perfect for the role of Harry. Kate Harwood, who produced David Copperfield and gave Daniel his first big break, said: "He has a particular quality of naturalness and innocence. The camera really loves him, and other children don't feel threatened by him. One normally dreads working with child actors, but in his case he was wonderful. We cast him for his special qualities of gentleness and watchfulness. He has those in spades. He has a great deal of charm and simplicity. He's very at ease with himself. He'll be terrific as Harry Potter because of his great sense of fun. He's very lively and energetic."

Daniel struck up a great rapport with fellow actors on David Copperfield including Dame Maggie Smith, who will also feature in the Harry Potter film. "Dame Maggie adored him," Ms Harwood said. "She was so fond of him she gave him a lovely present, an astronaut's pen." She added: "He won't be overwhelmed by the Harry Potter mania. He's quite cool and calm about that sort of thing."