Daniel Radcliffe: Entertainer of the Year
Daniel Radcliffe, the face of the “Harry Potter” franchise, has been named Entertainment Weekly’s “Entertainer of the Year.”
Radcliffe got his start as a TV actor until being cast in the title role of “Harry” in 2001. The series, listed as one of the top grossing of all time, also features Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
It has featured top British actors and actresses, including Ralph Fiennes, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Maggie Smith.
The movies are based on the books by J.K. Rowling, which tell the story of “Harry Potter,” a boy who discovers he is a wizard. “Potter” then grows up and faces the evil “Lord Voldemort” in a life-or-death battle.
Potter Mania took hold in 2001 with the premiere of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Seven additional movies followed, and the last “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part II” premiered in July 2011.
He has performed in two Broadway plays. “Equus” tells the story of a young man, “Alan Strang,” who has a unique fascination with horses. “Strang” commits a violent act against several horses and seeks treatment from a psychiatrist in order to get to the root of his fanaticism.
“Equus” opened on Broadway in 2008 and closed the same year. Radcliffe is currently appearing with John Laroquette in “How to Succeed Without Really Trying.” That show opened in 2011 and is currently playing.
Radcliffe will be performing in “Business” until Jan. 3, 2012. Darren Criss of “Glee” will succeed him for a limited time, and Nick Jonas will take over on Jan. 24.
“Entertainment Weekly” awarded the honor to Radcliffe and features an article telling of his success in its latest issue. Singer Adele and fellow actor Hugh Jackman were also named top entertainers on the magazine’s annual list.
