British actor and musician Tom Felton celebrates his birthday today. Known to millions of fans worldwide for his iconic role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, Felton has built a career that extends far beyond the Slytherin common room. In honor of the occasion, here are ten fascinating facts about the star behind cinema's most famous Slytherin:
1. He Actually Auditioned for Other Harry Potter Roles: Before landing the part of Draco Malfoy, Felton originally auditioned for the roles of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Ultimately, casting directors recognized in him the charisma and sophistication perfect for Harry's sworn rival instead.
2. Platinum Blonde at a Heavy Price: To maintain Draco Malfoy's signature look, Felton had to bleach his naturally brown hair to platinum blonde every ten days throughout the entire decade of filming.
3. Music Lover and Singer in His Own Right: Beyond acting, Tom is a talented musician who plays guitar and sings. Over the years, he has released several independent singles and EPs, and even founded his own record label called Feltbeats.
4. His Acting Career Started Long Before Harry Potter: Though he broke into public consciousness at Hogwarts, Felton began appearing in commercials at age eight and acted in well-known films before that, including "The Borrowers" (1997) and "Anna and the King" (1999) alongside Jodie Foster.
5. The Co-Star Who Had a Crush on Him (And It Wasn't Mutual): Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) has admitted that Felton was her first crush on set. Despite this, the two have remained very close friends to this day, without any romantic relationship.
6. His Grandfather Appeared With Him in the Film: Felton's grandfather, Nigel Anstey, a respected geophysicist, appeared as an extra in the role of one of the Hogwarts professors in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
7. He Stole Props From the Set (Accidentally and Intentionally): Felton has admitted to taking some small mementos from the set, including Draco's Slytherin ring and wand, though the crew discovered and confiscated some of the items back over the years.
8. Uses His Status for Good Deeds: Felton is known as a social activist and supporter of numerous charities, including animal welfare organizations and mental health support charities.
9. Author Who Wrote a Successful Autobiography: In 2022, he published his memoir, "Beyond the Wand," which became a New York Times bestseller. In the book, he openly discusses his days as a child star, the difficulties behind the scenes, and his past struggles with addiction.
10. He Actually Wanted to Be a Fisherman: In his childhood, alongside acting, Felton was marked as an avid fishing enthusiast and confessed that he seriously considered abandoning the acting world to study fishery management and marine agriculture.
