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Dirty Harry
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Yet in Equus you have a nude scene eight times a week. You’re flashing around your Elder Wand for all the world to see.
But I don’t know how to be sexy. Rob can just sort of stand there and look at something and start to smolder. And I just can’t do that. I’m a natural fidget.
You suffer from dysplaxia—which is a kind of physical dyslexia. Rote physicality is difficult for you to comprehend. How has that affected you as an actor?
I have a very mild form of it. I’ve gotten it mostly under control now. I played a lot of videogames as a kid which really helped it. It basically surfaces as bad coordination. Another example of it is how terrible my handwriting is because I can never quite tell when the pen is going to land on the page.
As for the emotional technique to acting, I read that you were a big fan of the poet John Keats.
Exactly. The biggest.
I was wondering if his theory of negative...
...capability.
Yes. Do you use Keats’ theory of negative capability in your approach to acting? He came up with the theory after seeing Shakespeare—that the deepest truths are found in uncertainty and doubt and mystery and not in “the irritating reach for fact and reason.”
Absolutely. You’ve found me out. The truth is to be found in the things that are not certain and not solid and not easy and not simple. Keeping your childlike attitude is important too. Having a sense of wonder about everything in the world. Harnessing that wonder is what acting is about.
One of the main themes of the Harry Potter books is the loss of innocence. Has there been a parallel loss of innocence in your own life as the films made you such a star?
There hasn’t been such a loss of innocence in my own life. There’s nothing more fun than being a 13-year-old kid on a film set. It’s fantastic. But that’s the difference between star systems in America and England. Kids stars in America are treated like stars first and kids second. But in England you’re just treated like a kid. You’re always being told don’t get too big for your boots. That’s why I’ve been able to maintain a relatively level head through it all.
Who are you reading now? I know that you’re a big reader.
I’m being really indulgent at the moment and reading P.G. Wodehouse. Lots of Jeeves and Wooster.
That’s the saddest thing you’ve said all day. You really are homesick, aren’t you.
I am. Just this morning I was listening to Noel Coward singing, “I went to a MAAAAAAVELOUS party with Nunu and Nada and Nell...”
I thought you liked punk rock.
Yes. Well. That’s what being abroad has done to me.
One last question. Have you shagged Dame Diana Rigg yet?
Not yet. Though I long for it to happen, I still await the day.
It’s been nice meeting your sibling, Daniel.
I know—right?
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 has been a contributing editor of Vanity Fair and Allure. His work has also appeared in Playboy, Travel+Leisure, and Elle. He is a contributing editor of Parade. His new memoir, I Left It on the Mountain, will be published by St. Martin's Press next year.
John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Carrie Fisher's Crowning Moment
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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