Harry Potter: Every Actor To Play Lord Voldemort
Lord Voldemort is the arch-antagonist of the entire Harry Potter story, but the dark wizard was portrayed by a number of actors on the big screen.
Lord Voldemort is one of the most famous characters in the;Harry Potter book and movie franchise, but he’s been portrayed by a succession of different actors on the big screen. Initially spoken of in hushed tones, J.K. Rowling introduces the legend of Voldemort in the very first book,;depicting;a fearsome wizard who terrorized the entire magic world, only to be defeated while attempting to kill a young Harry Potter.
After his clash with the most dangerous baby of all time, Voldemort loses his physical form and spends the first few books attempting a revival. The first time fans witness Voldemort, he’s secreted on the rear side of a teacher’s head, for example, and can later be seen as a deformed, blanket-covered bundle of evil. Only in;The Goblet of Fire does Voldemort regain his true form, and this regular changing of appearance necessitated a series of actors when adapting;Harry Potter for film. Furthermore, Rowling often delves back into Voldemort’s past as the Hogwarts student Tom Riddle, resulting in an even wider selection of actors playing the villain.
While one or two Voldemort actors are widely known, others may only be recognizable by sight, and some perhaps flew under the radar altogether. Here are all the actors who played Lord Voldemort on the big screen.
James Potter Adrian Rawlins
Adrian Rawlins may not have had a lot of screen time, but he does have the honor of being in all but one of the Harry Potter films, Half-Blood Prince. Since then hes had numerous television roles including The White Princess and Chernobyl. He also had a role in The Woman in Black 2, the sequel to Daniel Radcliffes first film, alongside fellow Harry Potter actress Helen McCrory.
You’ve Probably Been Pronouncing His Name Wrong
Remember when the guy who created the GIF file format tried to tell everybody that they should be pronouncing it ‘jif’? Well, as it happens, J.K. Rowling pulled something similar a few years back when she revealed that the ‘T’ at the end of Voldemort’s name is actually silent. It turns out that the most villainous dark wizard of all time was actually called ‘Vol-de-more’.
When coming up with a name for You-Know-Who, Rowling took inspiration from the French language with ‘vol’ meaning ‘flight’, ‘de’ meaning ‘of’ and ‘mort’ meaning ‘death’. This not only sounds cool, but it also describes the character’s driving motivations. The proper pronunciation of the name;could perhaps have been better communicated to some of the actors in the movies though.
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The Rise Of The Dark Lord
Murdering Hepzibah Smith
- “But before they were sure beyond doubt that the cup and the locket were both gone, the assistant who had worked at Borgin and Burkes, the young man who had visited Hepzibah so regularly and charmed her so well, had resigned his post and vanished. His superiors had no idea where he had gone; they were as surprised as anyone at his disappearance. And that was the last that was seen or heard of Tom Riddle for a very long time. ”
- Tom disappears after murdering Hepzibah Smith
Hepzibah Smith shows Riddle Slytherin’s Locket
While working at Borgin and Burkes, Riddle befriended Hepzibah Smith, a wealthy but elderly descendant of Helga Hufflepuff. Between 1955 and 1961, Hepzibah showed Riddle her two most valuable treasures: his ancestor’s locket and her ancestor’s cup. Tom’s eyes flashed red with greed and avarice upon seeing these objects, seeing the locket to be rightfully his as Slytherin’s heir and the cup as a reminder of Hogwarts, as well as a priceless artefact.
Lord Voldemort’s request
- “I have experimented; I have pushed the boundaries of magic further, perhaps, than they have ever been pushed ”
- Tom regarding the magical experimentation he did while abroad
Mr Ollivander John Hurt
John Hurt is British acting royalty who unfortunately passed away in January 2017. Hes had roles in over 200 films and television shows, and has the unique honor of having played the most characters that have died on screen. He bookended the Harry Potter franchise, having appeared in the first and last films. Aside from Potter, his notable roles are truly countless. You name it, hes been in it.
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Where Do You Get Voldemort In Harry Potter
When you do the Nagini boss battle with Neville, run to the back right, around the hallway. Voldemorts character token is there. However, when you check in the character shop, Voldemort costs a whopping 25 million coins. To get this much, use all the Score x boosts, which will multiply the coins by a lot.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
Voldemort does not appear in the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, either in person or as a magical manifestation. He is, however, heard when Harry passes out from the harsh effects of a Dementor. Towards the end of the story, Sybill Trelawney, the Divination professor, makes a rare genuine prophecy: “The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight, the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant’s aid, greater and more terrible than ever before. Tonight… before midnight… the servant… will set out… to rejoin… his master…” Though it is initially implied that the prophecy refers to Sirius Black, the book’s ostensible antagonist, the servant is eventually revealed to be Peter Pettigrew, who, for the 12 years since Voldemort’s fall, has been disguised as Ron’s pet rat, Scabbers.
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Lucius Malfoy Jason Isaacs
Since Lucius Malfoy made his cowardly exit from the Harry Potter series, Jason Isaacs has enjoyed many roles. Some braver than the blonde Death Eater, and some not. Isaacs has appeared in some movies, but hes largely found his homes on TV. Hes starred in Netflixs The OA and Star Trek: Discovery, and has lent his iconic voice to Star Wars Rebels and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Lord Voldemort Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes was a very established actor before the Harry Potter films, so naturally, that has continued since the series wrapped. Lets be honest, its not like his nearly unrecognizable appearance as Lord Voldemort was going to increase his cred among the youth. When hes not starring in Wes Anderson films and Bond movies, hes kept up his Voldy chops by voicing the character for the Wizarding World rides, including Escape from Gringotts.
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Voldemort Made His First Horcrux By Killing Moaning Myrtle While He Was A Student At Hogwarts
Making a Horcrux is a dark form of magic that requires a witch or wizard to take anothers life.
Tom Riddle created his first Horcrux by killing his fellow Hogwarts student Myrtle Warren, whos known as Moaning Myrtle.;
After the murder, the part of his soul that split entered a diary that eventually possessed Ginny Weasley and made her reopen the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts during Harrys second year.;
Fleur Delacour Clmence Posy
Poésys first Harry Potter appearance was midway through the franchise, with Goblet of Fire. She wasnt seen again until Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and Part 2, for her wedding to Bill Weasley and Dobbys funeral at Shell Cottage. After Potter, Poésy has had consistent work, namely a lead role on The Tunnel for 3 seasons. Shes also set to star in Christopher Nolans new film, Tenet, set for release summer 2020.
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Magical Abilities And Skills
Rowling establishes Voldemort throughout the series as an extremely powerful, intelligent, and ruthless dark wizard, described as the greatest and most powerful Dark Wizard of all time. He is known as one of the greatest Legilimens in the world and a highly accomplished Occlumens; he can read minds and shield his own from penetration. Besides Dumbledore, he is also the only wizard ever known to be able to apparate silently. Voldemort was also said to fear one wizard alone, Dumbledore.
On her website, Rowling wrote that Voldemort’s wand is made of yew, whose sap is poisonous and which symbolises death. It forms a deliberate contrast to Harry’s wand, which is made of holly, which she chose because holly is alleged to repel evil.
Rowling establishes in the books that Voldemort is magically connected to Harry via Harry’s forehead scar. He disembodies himself when his Killing Curse targeting Harry rebounds on him, leaving the scar on Harry’s forehead. In the books, and to a lesser extent in the films, Harry’s scar serves as an indicator of Voldemort’s presence: it burns when the Dark Lord is near or when Voldemort is feeling murderous or exultant. According to Rowling, by attacking Harry when he was a baby Voldemort gave him “tools no other wizard possessedthe scar and the ability it conferred, a magical window into Voldemort’s mind”.
Return To Full Strength
- ““I have my reasons for using the boy, as I have already explained to you, and I will use no other. I have waited thirteen years. A few more months will make no difference. As for the protection surrounding the boy, I believe my plan will be effective. All that is needed is a little courage from you, Wormtail — courage you will find, unless you wish to feel the full extent of Lord Voldemort’s wrath —”
- Voldemort informing Wormtail of his plot to murder to Harry Potter
Gathering the old comrades
Peter Pettigrew holding a weakened and immobile Voldemort
Knowing that Dumbledore was sure to have seen to it that the Philosopher’s Stone was destroyed, Voldemort knew he would not be able to use the Elixir of Life to create a new body for himself. Voldemort decided to attempt an old piece of ritualistic Dark Magic to create a potion that would restore him to a body. He made plans to travel to England in order to obtain two of the three key ingredients: a bone from his father and the blood of his most hated enemy, Harry Potter. The third ingredient, the flesh of a servant willingly given, he would obtain from Wormtail himself.
Voldemort plotting to use Harry Potter to facilitate his return before killing him
- “But I am not a man, Muggle. I am much, much more than a man. However…why not? I will face you…Wormtail, come turn my chair around.”
- Voldemort revealing himself to Frank Bryce, before murdering him
Voldemort murdering Frank Bryce with the Killing Curse
Eve of war
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Nagini Was Integral To Voldemorts Return To Power
Nagini was the longtime serpent companion of Voldemort.
Though the exact date and location of their meeting are unknown, we do know that she was with him when he was regaining strength in Albania. Her venom was also part of a potion brewed by Peter Pettigrew that helped sustain his bodiless form.
Eventually, the snake became Voldemorts final Horcrux after the murder of Bertha Jorkins.
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How Harry Potter And Draco Malfoy Are Related
Many families in the Wizarding World are related either by blood or marriage, as is the case of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Heres how.
In the Wizarding World, almost every family is related to each other somehow and Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are a good example of that. Although these two were enemies during their time at Hogwarts, they actually had a few things in common, including some relatives. In 1997, J.K. Rowling introduced readers to the Wizarding World in the novel Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, the first in a series of seven books that told the story of the boy who lived and the darkest wizard of all, Lord Voldemort.
Although Voldemort was the main villain, Harry had to deal with many other not-so-friendly characters, most notably the Malfoys. Harry and Draco were the same age, and started their Hogwarts course the same year. Their rivalry was settled from the beginning, when Draco insulted Ron and his family and thus Harry refused to shake his hand. Harry and Draco were never friends, but by the end of the book series, they made peace and were more civil towards each other. Still, these two had a lot in common, such as their connections with Voldemort and their family background, and not just because they came from families with big reputations in the Wizarding World.
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Lily Potter Geraldine Somerville
Geraldine Somerville had a spattering of appearances throughout each Harry Potter film, and continued after Potter with a variety of roles. She recently appeared in The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchies latest film, alongside many Hollywood A-listers. She also had roles in My Week With Marilyn and The Riot Club, as well as in more British-centric projects like 2012s Titanic, and 2017s Prime Suspect 1973.
His Family Had A History Of Incest
The Gaunt family;were well known for marrying their cousins, as mentioned by Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This led to mental instability and violent tendencies and, ultimately, the family’s downfall. Sickening though it may be, this is actually a lot more common in the wizarding world than one might think though.
Some of the most;prominent wizarding families chose to marry their relatives in order to maintain their pure-blood status. These include the Black and the Lestrange families, both of which harbored their fair share of dark witches and wizards over the years. One of the big exceptions, however, is the Malfoy family, who, according to J.K. Rowling, chose to avoid inter-marrying to avoid enfeebling their bloodline.
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Alastor Moody Brendan Gleeson
Gleeson has mostly stayed out of the big spotlight since Mad-Eye Moodys death in Deathly Hallows: Part 1, but hes been consistently busy, with multiple acting projects a year. Some of those projects include starring alongside one of his sons , Domhnall Gleeson in Calvary, and more widely released films such as Edge of Tomorrow, In the Heart of the Sea, and Paddington 2. Hes also set to play Donald Trump in A Higher Loyalty, an adaption of James Comeys book of the same name.
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
Professor QuirrellHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Voldemort makes his debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In this story, Rowling introduces him as the Dark Lord who tried to kill Harry Potter because the boy was prophesied to destroy him. Voldemort murdered Harry’s parents, James and Lily, but as a result of his mother’s love and willingness to sacrifice herself for him, baby Harry survived when Voldemort tried to murder him with a Killing Curse. Voldemort was disembodied, and Harry was left with a mysterious, lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead as a result.
In the book, Voldemort unsuccessfully tries to regain his dissolved body by stealing the titular Philosopher’s Stone. To achieve his objective, Voldemort uses Professor Quirrell’s aid by latching onto the back of the latter’s head. However, at the climax of the book, Harry manages to prevent Voldemort from stealing the stone.
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Harry Potter Cast Members: The Flashback Actors
The following Harry Potter cast members appeared in key scenes that helped illustrate important backstories.
Baby Harry Saunders Triplets/Toby PapworthYoung Lily Evans Ellie Darcey-AldenYoung Petunia Evans Ariella ParadiseYoung Severus Snape Benedict ClarkeYoung James Potter Alfie McIlwainYoung Sirius Black Rohan GotobedTeenage Severus Snape Alec HopkinsTeenage James Potter Robert JarvisTeenage Sirius Black James WaltersTeenage Peter Pettigrew Charles HughesTeenage Remus Lupin James UtechinYoung Hagrid Martin Bayfield
Hes Been Nominated For Two Oscars
With such a list of iconic characters on Ralph Fiennes resume, one would think his home would be brimming with Academy Awards; some displayed on the mantle, others tucked neatly away in the closet for safekeeping, and perhaps one could be proudly situated on a side-table as a some sort of kitschy keychain holder. Alas, Fiennes has yet to win a gold statue,;although hes been nominated twice.
Fiennes was nominated for best actor in a supporting role in;1994 for his unforgettable performance in Steven Spielbergs;Holocaust drama;Schindlers List. In the film, the actor;portrays Amon Goeth, the merciless SS commandant who delights in killing random concentration camp prisoners without remorse. I felt a kind of sympathy for him, Fiennes said of Goeth, talking to;The New York Times shortly after the films release. In a way, if you are involved in dehumanizing other people, you yourself become dehumanized.
Fiennes was also nominated for best actor in a leading role for the 1996 film;The English Patient, but he lost to Geoffrey Rush in Shine.;
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Parvati Patil Shefali Chowdhury
Like her in-film sister, Chowdhury first appeared in Goblet of Fire, and returned for Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. She did not, however, continue with either Deathly Hallows film. It would appear acting has not been on her radar, as her only roles post-Potter were in three short films: two in 2015 and one in 2019.