Plays: Ron Weasley

Born: 24th August 1988

Rupert has often said that he identified with Ron from an early age. His large family, his fear of spiders and his ginger hair have been highlighted as just some of their similarities; and apparently, from the moment the casting directors saw him dancing around dressed as his female drama teacher, they saw the similarities too. Rupert managed to obtain the role of Ron Weasley in 2001, and has often been commended for his estimable comedic abilities.

This talent for comedy became useful in some of his other acting roles besides Ron Weasley. He starred in the hilarious film Thunderpants just after filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and he also acted in an action/comedy film Wild Target alongside Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt. However, Rupert did state that he was pleased that the later Harry Potter films showed a darker, more insecure side to Ron, as it enabled him to explore and understand his character better.

Many of his co-stars have expressed admiration for his inventive ways of spending his money. Although he does frequently donate money and artwork to charities, he is also known to own an ice cream van, a hovercraft, and various farmyard animals. He has explained that he bought the ice cream van because that was his earliest dream: to be an ice cream seller. This is certainly a far cry from his current career, but he did take his van to the wrap party at the end of filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and served people ice cream from it.

Filmography

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Thunderpants (2002)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Happy Birthday, Peter Pan (voice; 2005)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Driving Lessons (2006)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Cherrybomb (2009)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Wild Target (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

Come Fly With Me (2011)

Into the White (2012)

Upcoming Projects

Postman Pat the Movie – You Know You’re the One (voice; 2013)

The Drummer (2013)

Eddie the Eagle (2013)

Cross Country (negotiations still underway; predicted release 2013)

The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman (2013)

CBGB (2013)

Mojo (London’s West End; previews October 2013)