Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stonehit the silver screen in 2001 to forever revolutionize the film industry and the world. This first film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s work introduced Daniel Radcliffe asHarry Potter, and launched the young boy’s journey into the Wizarding World that, years later, would pit him against one of the most ruthless villains of all time. This award-winning production became the highest-grossing film of its year, and spurred the development of seven other movies that would complete the story of Rowling’s characters.
As a film franchise set mostly in a school setting,Harry Potterfeatured countless aspiring young actors throughout the years, who eventually established themselves asthe biggest stars of today. But these young wannabes were blessed to learn from the industry’s very best, as theHarry Pottercast also featured its fair share of accomplished actors, many of whom even earnedOscarnominations. As we forge through anotherawards season, let’s look back at the Academy Award-nominated actors of theHarry Potterfranchise.
17John Cleese
Nominated for Best Original Screenplay forA Fish Called Wanda(1988)
In the first twoHarry Potterfilms,John Cleeseplays one of the most beloved characters by Hogwarts students: Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor House ghost who wanders the school hallways frightening newcomers with his nearly decapitated head. By the time Cleese played this ghost, he already boasted an Oscar nomination, though not as an actor, but as screenwriter for his work in Charles Crichton’s 1988 comedy filmA Fish Called Wanda, which he also co-starred in alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin.
16John Hurt
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor forMidnight Express(1978) and Best Actor forThe Elephant Man(1980)
Late actorJohn Hurtwas involved in the film and television industry for over 50 years, playing roles of all kinds, butHarry Potterfans probably remember him for his portrayal of Garrick Ollivander, Diagon Alley’s most famous wand salesman. Hurt played this character in the first film of the series and the final two, making crucial interventions in the main character’s story.
As with Cleese, Hurt was already Oscar-nominated long before joining the hit franchise, having earned his first nomination in 1978 for his work asa supporting actorin Alan Parker’sMidnight Express. Two years later, he was nominated as Best Actor for his leading role in David Lynch’sThe Elephant Man, though he was unable to claim either of the Oscars.
15Julie Christie
Nominated for Best Actress forDarling(1965),McCabe & Mrs. Miller(1971),Afterglow(1997), andAway from Her(2006) — winning forDarling
Julie Christiehad a small role inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanas Madam Rosmerta, the landlady of Hogsmeade’s Three Broomsticks pub, although her career in the entertainment industry dates back to the 1960s. Over the years, Christie has appeared in films of all kinds, and won many accolades, including four Best Actress nominations at the Oscars for her work inDarling,McCabe & Mrs. Miller,Afterglow,andAway from Her. Out of all these nominations, Christie managed to secure the win forDarling, a 1965 romantic film that also won in the categories of Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design.
14Brendan Gleeson
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor forThe Banshees of Inisherin(2022)
Actor and directorBrendan Gleesonis known, among many of his projects, for playing cranky Auror Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody fromHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fireonwards. Unlike other actors on this list, Gleeson’s Oscar nomination arrived a while after his stint inHarry Potter: in 2022, the actor scored a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his work in Martin McDonagh’sThe Banshees of Inisherin, which he co-starred in with Colin Farrell. The film received nine Academy Award nominations, but failed to win any ofthe golden statuettes.
13Miranda Richardson
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress forDamage(1992) and Best Actress forTom & Viv(1994)
Miranda Richardsonjoined the franchise inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fireto play the ruthless Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter, a woman willing to do anything to get her hands on a story, even if that means lying. Throughout her career, she worked in theater, television and film and received, among many accolades, two Oscar nominations in the 1990s. The first one was as Best Supporting Actress for her work in Louis Malle’s 1992 romantic dramaDamage, a film that also earned her a BAFTA Award. The second one came two years later for her leading role in Brian Gilbert’s historical dramaTom & Viv, a production in which she co-starred with Willem Dafoe.
12Julie Walters
Nominated for Best Actress forEducating Rita(1983) and Best Supporting Actress forBilly Elliot(2000)
Julie Waltersjoined theHarry Pottercast from the first film onward to playMolly Weasley, Ron’s mother. Interestingly, Walters received her first Oscar nomination for the role that marked her film acting debut: Rita White in Lewis Gilbert’s British comedy-drama filmEducating Rita, released in 1983. In 2001, the same year in which she joined theHarry Potterseries, she received her second Oscar nomination, this time as Best Supporting Actress for her role as a ballet instructor in Stephen Daldry’s coming-of-age filmBilly Elliot.
Related:Harry Potter Cast: The Main Actors’ Best Movies to Watch Next
11Ciarán Hinds
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor forBelfast(2021)
Many people may not remember catchingCiarán HindsinHarry Potter, and that’s because his role was quite small: he played Aberforth Dumbledore, brother of the headmaster of Hogwarts, inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Although Hinds has been involved in the entertainment industry for over four decades, his first Oscar nomination only arrived in 2021, as part of Kenneth Branagh’s drama film,Belfast. Hinds' nomination for Best Supporting Actor was among a total of seven received by the production at the ceremony, though the film only claimed the award for Best Original Screenplay.
10Imelda Staunton
Nominated for Best Actress forVera Drake(2004)
Over the years, theHarry Potterfilm series featuredmany major villains. But among the most ruthless of them all is unquestionably Dolores Umbridge, the world-hated character played byImelda StauntoninThe Order of the PhoenixandThe Deathly Hallows - Part 1. Two years before joining theHarry Pottercast, the actress headed one of the most important projects of her career: Mike Leigh’s period drama filmVera Drake. This production earned her her first and only Oscar nomination in the Best Actress category, and although she did not win the award, Staunton went on to secure a BAFTA Award and a few other accolades.
9Jim Broadbent
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor forIris(2001)
Jim Broadbentjoined the cast inThe Half-Blood Princeas Horace Slughorn, Professor of Potions at Hogwarts, and reprised his role in the latest film in the series. Although the actor has been playing different roles in film, television, and theater since the 1970s, his first, and so far only, Oscar nomination came in 2001 for his supporting role in Richard Eyre’s dramatic biopicIris, which follows the life and marriage of novelist Iris Murdoch. In the film, he co-starred with Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Bonneville, and although both women also picked up nominations, Broadbent was the only one to scoop the award.
Related:Are We Ready for a Harry Potter Reboot?
8Bill Nighy
Nominated for Best Actor forLiving(2022)
English actorBill Nighyhad a small role inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1as Rufus Scrimgeour, the man who succeeded Cornelius Fudge at the Ministry of Magic. Like some of the other actors on this list, Nighy has been around for decades, starting his career in the 1970s and taking, over the years, roles in well-known productions. However, he only got some recognition at the Oscars last year, when he received his first nomination as Best Actor for his work in Oliver Hermanus' drama filmLiving.
