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Dirty Harry
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Warner Bros.
Going back to the possiblity of a Pakistani prime minister, what is your take on Prince Harry being caught using the term “Paki” on the old videotape that surfaced? Are you a royalist?
No. I am not a royalist. Not at all. I am definitely a republican in the British sense of the word. I just don’t see the use of the monarchy though I’m fierce patriot. I’m proud proud proud of being English, but I think the monarchy symbolizes a lot of what was wrong with the country. Not that they’re doing anything wrong—but that symbol of class division is not something I particularly like. And I am a very upper-middle-class kid. I have nothing against the royals as people. I’ve never met them. But in terms of that particular comment about Pakistanis, Prince Harry said a very stupid thing. He was probably very young at the time. I hope he has learned since not to say such a thing or at least learned not to be filmed saying it. The big deal to me was his wearing a Nazi uniform at that costume party.
Your mother is Jewish. Do you identify as Jewish yourself?
Absolutely. I really do. My dad is Northern Irish and my mum is Jewish. That’s working blood. Though I am not religious in the least, I am very proud to be Jewish.
That should help you fit in here in New York. Are you ready for the run of Equus to end?
I’m going to be very sad. The Harry Potter films brought me a reputation. And doing Equus in London and now in New York has consolidated that and brought me a certain amount of respect. It will always be my first experience on the stage.
What will be your second? Will it be a musical? I saw you do your satirical dance number at the Gypsy of the Year contest with your chorus line of horses from Equus. It was so charming, especially the Rockettes kickline ending you came up with.
I would like to do a musical. Very much. It’s just a matter of finding the right one.
What’s it been like working in the small bower world of the theatre? It’s a very different environment than film. Much more collegial and camp and...well, let’s face it...gay.
And for a lot of straight guys—and I know I’m guilty of it sometimes—when you know a gay guy has a crush on you it is the most flattering thing.
Forgive me, but to be politically incorrect here, I’ve seldom met a straight actor who is not a “fag hag.”Are you?
Oh, yeah. I know I definitely caught it. Absolutely. My mom was a casting director and my dad was a literary agent and I was surrounded by gay men from a very young age. And I was the only boy in my class at school who had that kind of relationship with gay men. Most of my friends had parents who had proper jobs in banks and law firms so none of them had been exposed to homosexuality in the way I had—as a normal course of things. So they had a rather different attitude toward it than I.
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Kevin Sessums is the author of the New York Times bestseller Mississippi Sissy, a memoir of his childhood. He was executive editor of Andy Warhol's Interview magazine and a contributing editor of Vanity Fair and Allure. He is a contributing editor of Parade. His new memoir, I Left It on Mountain will be published by St. Martins Press.
Daniel Radcliffe: Dirty Harry
Kevin Sessums is the author of the New York Times bestseller Mississippi Sissy, a memoir of his childhood. He was executive editor of Andy Warhol's Interview magazine and a contributing editor of Vanity Fair and Allure. He is a contributing editor of Parade. His new memoir, I Left It on Mountain will be published by St. Martins Press.
Daniel Radcliffe, Dark Prince
Kevin Sessums is the author of the New York Times bestseller Mississippi Sissy, a memoir of his childhood. He was executive editor of Andy Warhol's Interview magazine and a contributing editor of Vanity Fair and Allure. He is a contributing editor of Parade. His new memoir, I Left It on Mountain will be published by St. Martins Press.
What a great interview! He sounds like a charming, intelligent, and articulate young man. And I must say that I share his desire to shag Dame Diana Rigg, although Dame Judi Dench is equally at the top of that list. :)
Good luck on a great career, Mr. Radcliffe.
Sounds like a proper British gentleman, with a little imp peeking out from time to time. If you are homesick, Mr. Radcliffe, may I recommend reading Dorothy Dunnett's books?
Break a leg, sir. Looking forward to more of your work!
..lots of common sense, gratitute, kindness, etc..he is a bright man with his feet on the ground. Wonderful!!!
Nice kid... reminds me of my own sons.
Wow! What a bright kid! Are our kids as bright? I'm looking forward to seeing more from this wonderful actor as a grown man. I hope he will pick out brilliant intelligent roles so the kids who grew up with him will find some enlightenment by being his fan. Happy I am that they have discovered magic through Harry.
Excuse me, Kevin -- Did you just diss Mr. Radcliffe for reading the incomparable P.G. Wodehouse? That man could pack more wit into the period at the end of a sentence than you could in library of books. I would have followed-up asking him if he was also a fan of Douglas Adams, who idolized Wodehouse and had a skeptical view of religion, class, and British governance.
Between that and your horrid "sperm washing" piece, you're really starting to grate.
Well, that, and I'm just jealous you got to chat with one of the most charming straight theatrical actors I've ever read about (or is that only straight theatrical actor?).
Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson's character) was dead in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He only appeared in Goblet of Fire. Otherwise, great interview. I always learn a little something new from interviews with Dan.
As someone who is the same age as Dan, I can assure you that their are plenty of American kids who are just as bright. We didn't all sleep through election day, and we are not a bunch of lazy alcoholics. I'm sure you meant your question in the most polite way possible, but I just had to stand up for my generation.
Impressive. Smart, articulate and able to speak in long complex sentences. Would that American celebs could master those traits...
This is one of the best interviews I've ever read. Impressive stuff.
Smart dude
I just watched the interview with Daniel Radcliffe, IMO, one of the best and brightest of today's actors. My daughter, who is a couple of years older than Daniel, brought home the "Harry Potter" books and together, we read and saw the films, and got hooked! My daughter, naturally, developed a crush on Harry though not at first; she crushed on Draco Malfoy first! From my POV, as a mother, I wanted to gather Harry up and adopt him! Take him away from those nasty Dursley's!
And as an author, I have two historical novels published, I'd love to see Daniel become the lead from my second novel..."Journey of Courage." JOC deals with a young husband who stutters, and the story takes both him and his bride to hell and back again, both physically and mentally. So, if anyone would like to get this message to Daniel: I'll send you a copy of the book, and I've also adapted a screenplay which is titled "Shattered Mind" - the original title of my book. When it came time to print, my publisher, PublishAmerica, had another author's novel coming out with the word "Shattered" in it; henceforth, my new title. I know Daniel has signed on to play Dan Eldon in the "Journey" film; I just wanted to make him aware that my film, when sold, will have my original title.
I know I'm wordy...guess that's why I'm a writer!!!
I never got a chance to see Equus although I would have liked to. Finances and our economy here, you know. My daughter, Amanda, auditioned for the play here in CA; a small theater in Fullerton put on a production. Amanda was brilliant, according to the director and producer; however, she is very petite and though she was 19 at the time, she looks younger. And given that the theater was small and intimate, the director felt Amanda's youthful appearance would be a distraction. But it was nice to know how much they appreciated her talent and her exuberance, and willingness to be adventurous. She will be attending California State University of Fullerton this semester, majoring in theater arts. She's been doing community theater since she was six; something she picked out. It's been a great thing for her; her Dad passed away when she was nine and the acting, and other facets of theater life, proved to be an excellent outlet for her.
At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and hope all the best for Daniel in the coming years. I am a literary agent as well and am about to contact the Coen Brothers for one of my clients. Who knows? Perhaps they will buy the project and cast Daniel! Hint: it is a dark comedy with the twists the Coen Brothers are famous for!
Thank you again for posting this interview. All the best for you as well!
Charlotte "Charlie" Fox
Hmmm, this interview was interesting and unexpected. I'll hate to see the Potter films come to an end though.
Thank you.
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