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CNN Live At Daybreak

Insight into "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe

Aired November 27, 2001 - 05:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: "Harry Potter" memorabilia will end up under a lot of Christmas trees in a couple of weeks, but no matter how high the movie goes at the box office, the star is trying to stay grounded.

CNN's Jodi Ross talked with the young wizard's alter ego.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're a wizard, Harry.

HARRY POTTER: I'm a what?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JODI ROSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" continues to work its magic at the box office. It even put a spell on its young star. Twelve-year-old Daniel Radcliffe says winning the role left him in tears.

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POTTER: Up, up. Wow.

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DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR: I cried. And with this part I've been given a fantastic opportunity to be able to inspire people and I think that's what -- one of the things that made me cry.

ROSS: These days, Radcliffe is all smiles as he tries to adjust to his newfound fame.

RADCLIFFE: What am I thinking? I -- oh God, this is so cool. I just can't describe what I'm feeling. It's amazing.

ROSS: What's amazing is that "Harry Potter" is only Radcliffe's second feature film.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RADCLIFFE: Can we go and see the monkeys, dad? (END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Movie audiences might remember him from "The Tailor of Panama" earlier this year, staring Jamie Lee Curtis, Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush. It's a big jump from big part to leading boy, but "Potter" director Chris Columbus says it's a role Radcliffe was born to play.

CHRIS COLUMBUS, DIRECTOR: You get the sense when you talk to him and when he's on screen this is a kid who has lived a complex, interesting life. Shocking, because he comes from two very loving parents who support him and who keep him real and keep him grounded.

ROSS: Grounded is right. In fact, at first, Radcliffe's parents didn't want their boy to become the boy wizard.

(on camera): I had read, Daniel, that your parents were hesitant for you to take the part because they knew the role would change your life. Is that true?

RADCLIFFE: They only had one concern, they knew there were so many boys going to be up for the role and so they didn't want me to get my hopes up and then be really -- be really disappointed.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself, but where to put you.

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ROSS (voice-over): Disappointment is nearly nil since Radcliffe has become a household name practically overnight. And with all the "Harry Potter" hoopla, he's keeping his head about him.

(on camera): So you take this seriously?

RADCLIFFE: I think I've got to take it slightly seriously, but at the same time, it's just good fun.

ROSS (voice-over): Radcliffe's career is off to a magical start. You can catch him in the second Potter novel turned film, "The Chamber of Secrets," same time next year. The film opens November 2002.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Potter, our new celebrity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Jodi Ross, CNN, New York.

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