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Who Played Moaning Myrtle In Harry Potter

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Where Is Harry Potter’s Moaning Myrtle Star Now Including Roles In Bridget Jones And Star Wars

Moaning Myrtle | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Shirley Henderson played the iconic Harry Potter character back in the early noughties, but she’s also been in some seriously high-profile productions since…

  • 22:55, 21 OCT 2021

The Harry Potter film franchise is one of the world’s most well-known, and brought us some very memorable characters.

Moaning Myrtle was up there as one of its most iconic, but did you know the 14 year old school girl was actually played by a 37 year old woman?

In both 2002 and 2005, Shirley Henderson played the role of Moaning Myrtle – the whining ghost who haunts Hogwarts’ toilets – but she’d already played some very well-known characters prior to her role alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

Now 55 years old, Shirley looks absolutely nothing like she did as the J.K Rowling character, it’s almost unbelievable.

Throughout her 40-year career, she’s landed acting jobs for productions such as Star Wars, Wild Child, Trainspotting and even a regular supporting role in all of the Bridget Jones films.

But would you be able to spot her? Let’s take a look…

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Scottish actress Shirley hails from Fife in the north of Scotland.

At age 17 she moved her whole life down to London in order to pursue an acting career – and that she did!

In 2001, Shirley was cast as Jude in Bridget Jones’ Diary, perhaps one of her most defining roles.

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She Made Two Appearances As Moaning Myrtle

When you rewatch the eight epic Harry Potter films, it probably seems like every single actor in the United Kingdom joined the cast, including Henderson. The film series launched in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Henderson officially joined the series in its second outing, 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as the ghost known as Moaning Myrtle.

Moaning Myrtle, who died at Hogwarts years before Harry started school, still haunts the bathroom where she died, exacting revenge on her school bullies whenever she can find time to take a break from sobbing in the bathroom and living in the Hogwarts toilets. Despite her difficult nature, she actually proves useful during her interactions with Harry. In Chamber of Secrets, Harry eventually discovers that the mythical monster of Slytherin house, a basilisk, is housed in a secret chamber directly beneath Myrtle’s bathroom , and in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, she assists Harry as he tries to decipher one of his tasks for the multi-school Triwizard Tournament, even though she does so while spying on a 14-year-old while he takes a bath. Perhaps the weirdest part of Henderson’s Potter role is that she was 37 years old when she first played the 14-year-old ghost of Myrtle, but regardless, she fit the role perfectly.

Will Turner / Orlando Bloom

Will Turner is meant to be around 18 years old in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, while Bloom himself was actually 26 years old at the time. Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Ewan McGregor, Tobey Maguire, Ben Peyton, and Christian Bale were some of the other actors that were considered for the role of Will Turner.

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Is Mandy And Myrtle Filmed In Amandas Real House

She said the programme is not filmed in Amandas own home and while one of her daughters does appear in it, other characters are played by actors. Pam said she was delighted to have succeeded in getting a part in the episode because since the beginning of the pandemic, work has been thin on the ground.

Who Did Daisy Ridley Pretend To Play

The oldest actor to play a teenager in the Harry Potter ...

In an interview with former American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, Ridley spoke about her hilarious prank. It turns out that the future Star Wars heroine, Rey, put up a picture of Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with the name Daisy Ridley underneath it.

She told Clarkson:

âFew people know this story Iâm not proud of myself â Iâm ashamed Wouldnât it be amazing if people thought I played Moaning Myrtle? As if anyone I went to school with would believe that I played Moaning Myrtle.

It seems that Ridley is a pretty big Harry Potter fan. Even after she had acted in two major Star Wars movies prior to the release of the third sequel trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker the young actor reportedly freaked out when acting alongside Harry Potter star Tom Felton. Ridley acted opposite of the Draco Malfoy star in a stage production of Ophelia!

Check out the full interview here:

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Henderson Supported Royalty In Marie Antoinette

Immediately after exiting the Harry Potter franchise in 2005, Shirley Henderson found herself in a project fit for royalty Sofia Coppola’s avant-garde . The 2006 film stars Kirsten Dunst as the titular, doomed queen of France, who enjoys a life of pure excess before meeting a particularly grisly end during the uprisings of the French Revolution. The film, which ultimately won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, also features Henderson as Madame Sophie, the daughter of Louis XV and therefore the aunt of King Louis XVI who’s frequently at odds with Marie Antoinette and constantly plotting against the hapless queen throughout her reign. Madame Sophie might not have been a leading role, but it was an important one, proving that Henderson was the perfect utility player in everything from indie films to period pieces to blockbusters.

Nine Actors Over 30 Who Played Teenagers On Film

I have to confess something. The Internet has, relatively recently, seen an explosion of professional list makers, because pop culture lists generate lots of page views and thus lots of ad views. As a result, its becoming increasingly difficult for me to write about something that hasnt already been covered by someone else. Take this particular subject: there are at least a dozen lists and photo galleries, all written within the last couple of years, about adult actors who have played teenage characters. So why should I bother? The difference, as always, is in the depth and quality of the research. Most of those other writers are lazy. Youll see the same names over and over , they usually get the ages wrong , and those that purport to list the oldest actors arent even close. For you, dear reader, I always go the extra mile, so Ive unearthed some rare and authentic examples.

  • Pickford was one of the biggest stars of the silent era. Born in 1892, her diminutive size and girlish looks routinely got her cast as adolescents. After she took a stab at a couple of adult roles, fans clamored for the return of the Little Mary that they knew and loved, so she took the lead in this corny drama about a teenage orphan who rescues a kidnapped baby.
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    Where Is Harry Potters Moaning Myrtle Star Now Including Roles In Bridget Jones And Star Wars

    Shirley Henderson played the iconic Harry Potter character back in the early noughties, but shes also been in some seriously high-profile productions since

    • 22:55, 21 OCT 2021

    The Harry Potter film franchise is one of the worlds most well-known, and brought us some very memorable characters.

    Moaning Myrtle was up there as one of its most iconic, but did you know the 14 year old school girl was actually played by a 37 year old woman?

    In both 2002 and 2005, Shirley Henderson played the role of Moaning Myrtle the whining ghost who haunts Hogwarts toilets but shed already played some very well-known characters prior to her role alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

    Now 55 years old, Shirley looks absolutely nothing like she did as the J.K Rowling character, its almost unbelievable.

    Throughout her 40-year career, shes landed acting jobs for productions such as Star Wars, Wild Child, Trainspotting and even a regular supporting role in all of the Bridget Jones films.

    But would you be able to spot her? Lets take a look

    Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!s daily newsletter. You can sign up at the top of the page.

    Scottish actress Shirley hails from Fife in the north of Scotland.

    At age 17 she moved her whole life down to London in order to pursue an acting career and that she did!

    In 2001, Shirley was cast as Jude in Bridget Jones Diary, perhaps one of her most defining roles.

    Read More

    She’s Had Leading Roles In Serious British Dramas

    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Moaning Myrtle scene (HD)

    Clearly, Shirley Henderson spent years making a name for herself in big international films, but she always found time to return home and work in highly regarded British television dramas, most of which have centered around crime and mysteries.

    Henderson kicked off this trend with 2013’s Southcliffe, where she starred as local Claire Salter, a woman in the midst of a breakdown. Working alongside stars like Game of Thrones‘ Joe Dempsie and Black Mirror‘s Rory Kinnear as inhabitants of a small town grappling with a series of violent shootings, the show was a success for Henderson, eventually earning her a BAFTA nomination for the role. After that, she took on a supporting part in the second series of BBC One’s Happy Valley, as a teaching assistant with a dark past and plenty of secrets. She followed that up by re-teaming with her Potter co-star Rupert Grint for 2016’s The ABC Murders, an adaptation of an Agatha Christie starring her legendary leading detective Hercule Poirot .

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    Who Is Shirley Henderson

    Shirley Henderson, 53, was born November 24, 1965, and is a Scottish actress.

    Her film roles include playing Gail in Trainspotting , Jude in the three Bridget Jones films and Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .

    Her other films include Topsy-Turvy , Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself , Frozen , Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day , Anna Karenina , and the Netflix film Okja .

    Shirley is just 5ft tall and is known for her raspy, squeaky, childlike voice.

    Did Moaning Myrtle Kill Herself

    On her final day of life, 13 June 1943, Myrtle was teased by student Olive Hornby. Since looking into a Basilisks eyes is a fatal act, Myrtle was killed instantly and her body fell to the bathroom floor, becoming Toms first victim.

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    Fred And George Weasley Were Born On April Fools Day

    Its no surprise that the menacing and cheeky twins of the Weasley family were born on April Fools Day. Fred and George Weasley are known for their pranks and famous joke shop, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes.

    The shop is found in Diagon Alley which was inspired by the unique Shambles cobbled street in York.

    It makes sense that they were brought into the world on a day known for tricksters and games.

    Harry Potter Vet Shirley Henderson Voices The Rise Of Skywalker’s Breakout Character

    Moaning Myrtle

    Babu Frik, the breakout character from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, is voiced by Shirley Henderson, the actress who played Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter movies.

    Henderson was born and raised in Scotland with one of her earliest film credits in Trainspotting opposite Ewan McGregor. She later went on to a role in the Bridget Jones movies and Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

    Moaning Myrtle was the ghost with the high-pitched voice haunting the girls’ bathroom at Hogwarts. The character was once a student at Hogwarts but was killed in the bathroom by the Monster of Slytherin. As for Babu Frik, he’s the bite-sized droidsmith from The Rise of Skywalker. He has the ability to reprogram most droids.

    Henderson’s characters have assisted some of the greatest movie characters of all time. She is a god amongst men.

    In related news, The Rise of Skywalker’s “Visual Dictionary” has revealed more information on the beloved Babu Frik as well as other new characters.

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    Hendersons Acting In Harry Potter Helped Gain The Most Fame:

    With a history of more than 80 credits, she was cast in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and also acted in further installments of the Harry Potter saga.

    If there was a character that dazzled us from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, it was, without a doubt, Myrtle the Weeping Woman. The 13-year-old ghost that lived in the Hogwarts girls bathroom made us laugh out loud. The actress who brought it to life was Shirley Henderson who of course was a long way from her characters age! In fact, the Scottish actress was 35 years old when she was selected for the role. Come on, she was three times the age of her character. Now she is 55 and surely you have seen her on more than one occasion. Or, take a good look the next time you see this movie!

    Why Is Moaning Myrtle A Ghost

    A person gets petrified when he/she looks in the reflection of the eyes of the basilisk. But in the case of Moaning Myrtle, she looked straight in the eyes of the basilisk. And had died. She became a ghost thereafter, because she wanted a revenge from Olive Hornby, the girl who used to tease her when she was alive.

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    Who Played The Girl Ghost In Harry Potter

    Shirley Henderson is a Scottish actress who most often appears in British character-driven dramas, yet has been most widely-seen as Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films- 2002s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and 2005s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Hendersons tiny frame and raspy voice have led

    Why Did Hermione Not Go To Ravenclaw

    Moaning Myrtle | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    And this is why Hermione does not fit into Ravenclaw, since she lacks their creativity of thought. When you also add in her fearlessness and her strong convictions about right and wrong, which are inherently Gryffindor traits, then there was even less of a chance shed end up wearing blue and bronze.

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    How Did Moaning Myrtle Die If She Was Wearing Glasses

    The glasses didnt block her view. The camera Colin was using was an older film camera, likely a single lens reflex camera. So he didnt see the basilisk, he saw a reflection in the viewfinder of his camera. So Myrtle would have seen the basilisk directly, whether she was wearing her glasses or not.

    Magical Facts About Harry Potter Only True Fans Will Know

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    Are you a hardcore fan of Harry Potter? Test your wizarding world knowledge with these magical facts about Harry Potter.

    If youve been living under a rock for the last 20 years and have not seen or read the Harry Potter series, beware, as there are spoilers ahead!

    Keep reading to discover 10 facts about Harry Potter that only true fans will know

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    Daenerys Targaryen / Emilia Clarke

    Emilia Clarke was 25-years old when she portrayed Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons, a.k.a Dany, who was 17 years of age. Emilia Clarke revealed in an interview that the day she was shooting a scene where she had to eat a horse heart in the series, she was covered in fake blood that was making her stick to random objects. The actress said that eventually, she disappeared from set because as it turned out, she got stuck to a toilet seat.

    Moaning Myrtle Was Played By A 35

    Here

    We couldnt believe this fact about Harry Potter either! Moaning Myrtle was played by iconic British actress Shirley Henderson.

    During the filming of Harry Potter and The Chamber of the Secrets, Henderson was 35-years-old, whilst her character of Moaning Myrtle is the ghost of a 14-year-old Hogwarts student.

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    Shirley Henderson Began To Leave Evidence Of Her Talent As A Child:

    Superbly gifted in singing and acting, Shirley entered a talent scouting contest that selected brilliant voices during her youth. Since then she began to earn a living with her voice visiting various venues where she delighted those present with her repertoire, until she decided to pack her bags for London.

    At age 13 she entertained audiences in boxing matches by singing between fights after winning a singing contest. Subsequently, she began singing in worker cafes on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

    Look how her singing career is now, in the year 2018, she took home the award for best actress in a musical for Girl From The North Country in the Olivier Awards.

    What New Roles Is She Working On

    Henderson is set to appear in 2022 movie See How They Run alongside Saoirse Ronan – who auditioned to play Harry Potter’s Luna Lovegood.

    The American mystery flick is directed by Tom George and also stars Sam Rockwell, David Oyelowo, Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, and Harris Dickinson.

    And she’s got another movie hitting screens next year – British comedy The Trouble With Jessica, alongside Rufus Sewell, Olivia Williams, Indira Varma and Alan Tudyk.

    We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at or call 0141 420 5300

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