15 Harry Potter Actors Who We Can’t Imagine Being Young. So, We Found What They Looked Like Then

Many of us tend to follow the careers of young Harry Potter actors. But, believe us, it’s much more interesting to see what other movies the actors, who portrayed adult wizards, were filmed in, and what they looked like 20, 30, or even 50 years ago.

At CHEERY, we became curious what our favorite actors looked like when they were young. We’ve searched movie archives, and some of our finds really surprised us. It turns out that Lucius Malfoy has already played an aristocrat, and Dumbledore hasn’t always worn a beard.

1. Helena Bonham Carter

In 1987, the actress who portrayed Bellatrix Lestrange was only 21. At the time, she played a young woman with a hard fate in the drama A Hazard of Hearts, a television adaptation of Barbara Cartland’s novel.

2. Gary Oldman

Now let’s see what Gary Oldman, who portrayed Sirius Black, looked like when he was 28. He began to act in movies in the early 1980s, and one of his earliest works was the starring role in the biopic Sid and Nancy. This movie portrays the life of Sid Vicious, the bassist of the punk rock band The Sex Pistols, and his destructive relationship with his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

3. Gemma Jones

The actress who portrayed charming but strict matron Poppy Pomfrey appeared in many TV series when she was young. For example, she played in the series The Duchess of Duke Street, shown in 1976 and 1977. Throughout the series, Gemma Jones’ character worked her way up from a servant to renowned cook to proprietor of the upper-class hotel.

4. Jason Isaacs

In 1996, the 33-year-old actor played in the fantasy action movie Dragonheart. Just like in the Harry Potter film series, he landed a role of an aristocrat whose name was Lord Felton. Isaacs’ character was very unhappy about the fact that a dragon began to attack his village, and tried to get rid of this unwelcomed guest at any cost.

5. Julie Walters

We tend to think that Molly Weasley is a middle-aged woman who can’t wait to have grandchildren from her many children. And this is what actress Julie Walters looked like in 1983 when the comedy-drama Educating Rita was released. At the time, she was 33 years old. By the way, the actress won BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for this role.

6. Timothy Spall

In 1985, Timothy Spall, who portrayed Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter film series appeared, in the TV movie Dutch Girls. At the time, the aspiring actor was 28. He played the role of an ordinary guy who goes on a journey with his friends.

7. Zoë Wanamaker

The actress played Madam Rolanda Hooch when she was 52. And before that, she acted in theater and TV films and series. Tales of the Unexpected was among them, and it was shown on TV from 1979 to 1988.

8. Warwick Davis

At 18, the actor who we know by the role of Professor Flitwick, starred in the dark fantasy adventure movie Willow. The movie’s producer was George Lucas who later invited Davis to play a few roles in the Star Wars universe, including Anakin’s little alien friend and Jedi Master Yoda.

9. Brendan Gleeson

The famous Irish actor who portrayed Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody began his movie career when he was in his thirties. He won critical acclaim for his performance as gangster Martin Cahill in the 1998 movie The General.

10. Alan Rickman

When the actor starred in the first Harry Potter movie, he was 55. And this is what Professor Snape would look like if he was only 36. This is a still shot from the 1982 British series The Barchester Chronicles where young Rickman appeared as Obadiah Slope.

11. Miranda Richardson

This is what future Rita Skeeter looked like in 1985. Dance with a Stranger became the first movie where 27-year-old Miranda appeared and even landed the starring role. Her movie debut was very successful, and she even won Best Actress at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.

12. Kenneth Branagh

The actor who we know by the role of Gilderoy Lockhart began to act in movies in the 1980s. And in 1987, he appeared in the mini series Fortunes of War. At the time, Kenneth Branagh was only 27.

13. Emma Thompson

In 1989, the 30-year-old actress who we know by the role of Professor Trelawney played a nurse in the romantic comedy The Tall Guy. She starred alongside Jeff Goldblum and popular comedian Rowan Atkinson.

14. Rhys Ifans

The Welsh actor and musician started his career playing in TV shows and theater while his movie career began only in the late 1990s. For example, Rhys Ifans appeared in the romantic comedy Notting Hill where he played the main character’s roommate. At the time, the actor was 32.

15. Michael Gambon

It seems it’s impossible to imagine Dumbledore being young. In 2007, when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released, the actor turned 67. And above is a still shot from the 1974 horror movie The Beast Must Die. The actor, who was 34 at the time, appeared as one of the English mansion guests trying to determine who of them is a werewolf.

Did you watch any other movies starring Harry Potter actors? Tell us about them in the comments below.