The kids of 'Harry Potter:' Then and now

Things to Do

The kids of 'Harry Potter:' Then and now

We've watched the child actors of Harry Potter grow up on screen, but the final film will mark the end of an era as it comes out July 15, 2011.

It's been a decade since the release of the first Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," based on the children's book by J.K. Rowling. With the success the series of books found before the release of the movie, the child stars of Harry Potter had to know their lives would change, but none could have been prepared for the worldwide notoriety the films would give them. Let's look back at the kids of Harry Potter then and now.

THEN: Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter in the films, was just 12 years old when "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" came out in 2001. Before Potter, Radcliffe had played Young David Copperfield in a TV movie and one other role in "The Tailor of Panama."

NOW: Radcliffe is a young man now at the age of 21 as the series' final film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" releases July 15, 2011.

THEN: Emma Watson was 10 years old when the first Harry Potter film hit theaters. The cute kid competed against thousands of other children to play the role of Hermione Granger.

NOW: Watson is now 21 years old and has become a young fashion icon. The actress has also shown she's just as smart as Hermione. She began attending Brown University in 2009 and plans to continue her education this fall by participating in an exchange program at Worcester College, Oxford.

THEN: Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, was 13 years old when "Sorcerer's Stone" came out in 2001. At that point Grint had little acting experience, but he had worked on a film called "Thunderpants," the story of a young boy's exceptional ability to break wind. Seriously. At least he wasn't the one breaking the wind in the movie.

NOW: The actor is 22 years old as the final film comes out.

THEN: When audiences first saw Tom Felton in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," there wasn't much to love about his character, Draco Malfoy. The toe-headed kid was an evil brat that did nothing but cause trouble for Harry and his friends. Felton was 14 years old for the first film's release, though he's shown here a year later in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

NOW: Felton is now 23 years old. Still looks pretty evil in the movies, though, don't ya think?

THEN: Ron Weasley's twin brothers, the two gingers shown here with Harry and other young wizards, are played by Oliver and James Phelps. The brothers were 15 years old when they first hit the big screen as George and Fred Weasley.

NOW: Oliver (George Weasley) and James (Fred Weasley) Phelps are now 25 years old.

THEN: Bonnie Wright was 10 years old when she first played Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister who had an intense crush on Harry.

NOW: Wright is now 20 years old, and it looks as though her character, Ginny, has done some major growing up too, seen here in an intimate moment with Harry.

Over the past ten years, we've watched the kids of Harry Potter grow up on screen, but July 15, 2011 will mark the end of an era as the final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" opens in theaters.

1/14

It's been a decade since the release of the first Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," based on the children's book by J.K. Rowling. With the success the series of books found before the release of the movie, the child stars of Harry Potter had to know their lives would change, but none could have been prepared for the worldwide notoriety the films would give them. Let's look back at the kids of Harry Potter then and now.

Today's Gallery Headlines

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

Photos: Low-tech tradition reigns at the Masters

30m ago

Masters practice round Monday

PHOTOS: Golf fashions at the Masters

aajc 041126 Masters Round 2 Friday

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 Round 2

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park