Tom Felton is best known for his iconic portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series.
His depiction of the smug, blonde-haired antagonist catapulted him to fame at a young age, gaining him a global fan base. Beyond his role in the wizarding world, the British actor has successfully maintained a flourishing career in the entertainment industry.
Despite being in the spotlight since his youth, there are many aspects of Tom Felton’s life that might surprise you.
Discover 25 intriguing facts about Tom Felton that will give you a deeper insight into the man behind the character!
- Tom Felton, born on September 22, 1987, in Surrey, England, rose to fame as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. His full name is Thomas Andrew Felton.
- Felton is the youngest of four brothers, with siblings Jonathan, Chris, and Ashley.
- During his teenage years, his parents Peter Felton and Sharon Anstey divorced, which had a significant impact on his upbringing.
- As a child, Tom had a natural talent for singing, which led to an offer from the Guildford Cathedral Choir, but he chose not to pursue it.
- His acting career started with commercials for Barclaycard and Commercial Union before he landed his first film role at age 10 in The Borrowers (1997).
- Felton hadn’t read the Harry Potter books before auditioning for the series. His genuine disinterest and arrogance during the audition won him the role of Draco Malfoy.
- Although he auditioned for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, it was his portrayal of Draco that became iconic, earning him widespread recognition.
- Tom’s real-life grandfather, Nigel Anstey, appeared in the Harry Potter series as a Hogwarts professor.
- Felton’s on-screen chemistry translated into off-screen friendships, with Emma Watson even admitting she had a crush on him during filming.
- Throughout his portrayal of Draco, Felton received five awards and three nominations, solidifying his status as a fan favorite.
- Draco’s wife in the final Harry Potter movie was played by Felton’s then-girlfriend Jade Olivia Gordon.
- In 2020, Tom rewatched the Harry Potter series for the first time, sharing his insights and behind-the-scenes facts with fans on social media.
- Despite his intimidating on-screen presence, Felton admitted to being in awe of Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) and his sense of humor.
- Felton often snacked on set, leading the wardrobe team to sew the pockets of their wizard robes shut to prevent him from leaving candy in them.
- His love for pranks and fun on set often got him in trouble, requiring him to contribute to a “red card jar” when he disrupted production.
- Despite the strict set rules, Felton managed to keep a Slytherin ring and a tie pin as souvenirs from his time on the Harry Potter set.
- The rigorous filming schedule affected his academics, resulting in straight Cs in the GCSEs.
- Felton wasn’t ready to let go of the Malfoy legacy and expressed interest in playing a young Lucius Malfoy if a prequel were ever made.
- Besides acting, Tom is a skilled musician, proficient in instruments like the guitar, piano, and drums.
- He has released several music tracks, including Time Well Spent, Hawaii, and hOLDing on.
- Despite portraying a Slytherin, Felton revealed on Twitter that Pottermore’s sorting hat placed him in Gryffindor.
- Tom is a sports enthusiast, enjoying activities such as cricket, ice skating, and rollerblading.
- He’s a big fan of the Hamilton Broadway musical and frequently shares clips and duets from the show on his TikTok account.
- After Harry Potter ended, Tom found it challenging to secure new roles but eventually overcame this slump, starring in various successful projects.
- In 2022, Felton published his autobiography, Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, where he reflects on his life and career, offering fans a deeper look into his journey.
Tom Felton is cherished globally for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. However, only the most devoted fans are aware of the details of his life and his experiences on set.
These insights reveal that, despite the obstacles he’s encountered, Felton has forged a successful career and continues to nurture a strong bond with his fans.