Daniel Radcliffe shared a touching story about how he went from being intimidated by Alan Rickman to finding him as his biggest supporter.

Daniel Radcliffe, famously known for his cult classic role in JK Rowling’s Wizarding World movies, Harry Potter, recently appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, alongside Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez. There, the actor was greeted to a clip from Alan Rickman’s interview in 2016, which Radcliffe had never seen before.

In the video, Alan Rickman was heard praising Daniel Radcliffeʼs command over acting, his commitment towards stagecraft, and professionalism. Listening to Rickman’s kind words, The Woman in Black actor appeared deeply moved by the compliments. Admitting how he was initially intimidated by Rickman, Radcliffe noted believing that the Die Hard star wasn’t quite fond of him until he eventually revealed a softer side.

Alan Rickman Heaped Praise Upon Daniel Radcliffe

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast alongside his Merrily We Roll Along co-stars Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, Daniel Radcliffe received a heartfelt welcome from Josh Horowitz, as he played a touching video of Alan Rickman. Since Rickman and Radcliffe shared the screen for the iconic Harry Potter movies, Horowitz greeted The Lost City actor to the Die Hard star’s 2016 video.

Radcliffe admitted never seeing the eight-year-old footage before, where Alan Rickman heaped praises upon the actor for his hard work and commitment to stagecraft. In the video, Rickman was heard addressing the child actors from Harry Potter and how they dedicated their childhood to cater to the audiences and create the magical movies that transcend boundaries.

“As much as I was doing it for seven weeks, they were doing it for 52 weeks. This was their life from 12 to 22. And you would watch it from the sidelines at times and throw the odd lifeline in because there was so little time for that.”
Alan Rickman with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint
“It’s only in recent years that I’ve managed to sit down in a cafe with Daniel in New York. He was at a theater and I was at another. Huge pride to go to see him in the musical [‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’]. How dare he be dancing as well as the New York dancers! He worked at it.”
After the video concluded, Daniel Radcliffe appeared visibly moved by Alan Rickman’s praises. Repeatedly thanking Josh Horowitz for showing him the clip, Radcliffe then proceeded to reveal how he was initially intimidated by the actor before Rickman exposed his kind side to him.

Daniel Radcliffe was Highly Intimidated by Alan Rickman

During the Happy Sad Confused podcast, after watching Alan Rickman’s video, Daniel Radcliffe revealed how he initially believed his co-star Alan Rickman didn’t like him. Playing the role of Professor Snape in the franchise, Rickman seemingly intimidated Radcliffe because of his heavy voice.

“I was so intimidated by Alan Rickman. How can you not be by that voice? Even hearing that voice you forget quite how low it was until it echoes through you. I was so intimidated by him for the first three movies. I was terrified by him and was like, ‘This guy hates me.’ Somewhere along the lines, he saw that I really wanted to do this and work at it.”

The Harry Potter actor remembered how Alan Rickman gradually began showing him kindness and warmth on set, which he will never forget. Becoming one of his biggest supporters, Daniel Radcliffe mentioned how the late actor even once ended a personal vacation early so he could catch Radcliffe on Broadway.
Rickman with Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint in Prisoner of Azkaban
“He cut short a vacation in Canada to come and see me in ‘Equus.’ He saw every piece of stage work I did when he was alive. He would take me out afterwards and we would talk about it. He was one of the first people to say like, ‘You should look at voice coaching and investigate all this stuff.’ I am so lucky. To hear him say that is really lovely. Thank you for showing me that.”
Daniel Radcliffe recounts a moment when Alan Rickman took the time to reassure him and make him feel valued, which had a profound impact on the young actor. This heartwarming story shared by Radcliffe highlights the special bond between the two actors, and showcases Rickman’s kind and caring personality beyond his on-screen persona as the stern and often misunderstood Professor Snape.