In an interesting revelation, Tom Felton, widely recognized for his memorable role in the Harry Potter series, shares a delightful anecdote in his recently published memoir. Within the pages, Felton candidly discloses a rather amusing incident that occurred during the filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Astonishingly, the young Draco Malfoy momentarily mistook the esteemed actor Gary Oldman, known for his portrayal of Sirius Black, for a janitor on the set.
This delightful tale sheds light on the intriguing dynamics behind the scenes of the Harry Potter franchise, wherein a plethora of revered British actors, both prominent and lesser-known, were seamlessly woven into the fabric of the magical world. Felton’s recollection serves as a testament to the unassuming nature of these talented individuals, whose sheer star power often remained concealed amidst the hustle and bustle of the production.
Why Did Tom Felton Think Gary Oldman Was A Janitor On Set?
Tom Felton, known for his role in the beloved Harry Potter franchise, humbly admits that he once mistook his Oscar-winning co-star, Gary Oldman, for a janitor during the filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004. Felton openly shares this amusing anecdote in his memoir titled Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard. He fondly recalls how Oldman’s unassuming and down-to-earth demeanor made it easy to confuse him with a member of the cleaning staff on set.
“There were certain actors on the set who you’d never really recognize out of character, even though they were absolute legends.They just looked — and I mean this in the nicest possible way — like slightly scruffy older men.”
In his book, Felton also draws parallels between Oldman and other esteemed actors like John Hurt and David Bradley, who exuded similar unpretentiousness during their time on the magical film series.
Tom Felton Cringed With Embarassment Upon Knowing Who It Really Was
Among the notable individuals who surprised Felton with their altered appearance were the late John Hurt and David Bradley. However, it was his encounter with Gary Oldman that left Felton puzzled and slightly embarrassed. Unaware of Oldman’s true identity as the esteemed actor portraying Sirius Black, Felton innocently praised the pristine floors outside the Great Hall, prompting Oldman to give him a perplexed frown without uttering a word.
“He turned around to see if I was talking to someone behind him, gave me a slightly odd frown, and said nothing,”
The following day, Felton coincidentally encountered Oldman again in the hair and make-up department, still assuming he was a member of the cleaning staff. This led Felton to find it a bit strange that Oldman was giving a tour to his family and friends, considering his assumed job position. Eventually, Felton’s curiosity got the better of him, and he mustered the courage to inquire about the mysterious man’s role.
“I cringed with embarrassment when I realized I’d mistaken him for the cleaner.In my defense, for such a big star, he was hardly starry at all. He was unassuming and down-to-earth, likely to be seen making a cup of tea for everyone, rather than playing the room.”
It was then that someone finally disclosed Oldman’s recent addition to the franchise as Sirius Black, leading to Felton’s amusing realization and a lighthearted moment of confusion.
During the filming of American Horror Story: Roanoke,Leslie Jordan amusingly mistook Lady Gaga for an extra, as he revealed on the Trailblazers radio show (via Entertainment Weekly). This incident highlights how even major stars can be unrecognized on set, adding a touch of humor to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the entertainment industry.
Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard is now available.
Source: Indiewire
