Daniel Radcliffe says his younger self 'would not have recognized' his life now
Daniel Radcliffe says his younger self 'would not have recognized' his life now
Leigh BlickleyThu, April 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM UTC
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Daniel Radcliffe in December 2025Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Daniel Radcliffe says he has reached a place of "profound happiness" after years of struggling with his mental health.
During a conversation after a performance of his Broadway play Every Brilliant Thing on Tuesday, the 36-year-old star told Project Healthy Minds that his 20-year-old self would be surprised by his current status.
"There have been times in my life when I have been deeply unhappy, particularly when I was much younger," Radcliffe said, adding that being a father has brought him immense joy.
"I spent today with my 3-year-old son walking along the street, with him just holding my hand and being gorgeous and fun and silly — and I'm so happy," he continued. "If you showed [current photos] to me when I was 20, I would not have recognized myself."
The actor, who rocketed to superstardom at 11 years old as the lead in the Harry Potter film series, has discussed his battles with fame, depression, and alcohol use in the past.
"Ultimately it was my own decision [to get sober]. I woke up one morning after a night going like, 'This is probably not good,'" Radcliffe told The Off Camera Show in 2019. "At a certain point, it becomes about, like, 'Who are you actually?' Like, you're dropping all pretenses — like, 'What makes you happy?'"
But, he clarified, "Even at the lowest point, I still loved my job so much, and I loved going to set. And there was never a day where my own s--- would affect how I was on set. There was never a point where I was like, 'Oh, I wish this hadn't happened to me. I wish I wasn't Harry Potter.' Like that just didn't happen." Radcliffe added that he was "lucky" to have people in his life, including his parents, who gave him "great advice" and "really cared" for him.
In his 2024 Tony acceptance speech for Merrily We Roll Along, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Radcliffe said his longtime partner, Erin Darke, and their son were "the best things to ever happen" to him.
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Daniel Radcliffe and his partner, Erin DarkeCredit: Bruce Glikas/Getty
As for his latest stage endeavor, Radcliffe said it is the "most profound, meaningful show" he has ever done.
An interactive one-person play, Every Brilliant Thing focuses on a man as he looks back at his life and reflects on the hope that has carried him through. The audience participates in the performance, which touches on topics of depression and suicide.
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“The chance to connect with people about [mental health] is really rare," Radcliffe told Project Healthy Minds. "As a performer in this show, you get such an amazing view of how brilliant and kind people can be."
He added that Every Brilliant Thing demonstrates that "there is such potential for profound happiness" even if someone isn't experiencing it at the moment.
Said Radcliffe, "It's always worth giving the future a chance to prove you wrong."
Radcliffe stars in Every Brilliant Thing until May 24, at which point Mariska Hargitay is set to take over the role.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
