Tom Felton bio, net worth, wife, age, height, photos, career path 2025

Biography of Tom Felton

Tom Felton is a British actor and musician, who gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of the villainous Draco Malfoy in the iconic Harry Potter film franchise. Landing a role in the legendary franchise was both a career-making opportunity and a serious challenge for the young actor. For years, the genuinely nice guy struggled with being typecast as his sneaky, villainous character, and it took considerable effort to break free from that image.

Childhood and First Roles

Tom was born in Epsom, a small town in Surrey about 25 kilometers southwest of London. He is the fourth and youngest son of Peter Felton and Sharon Anstey, and has brothers Jonathan, Chris, and Ashley.

As a young child, Tom looked like a little angel with his blonde curls and big blue eyes. He was also incredibly artistic, with a beautiful voice and perfect pitch. At the age of seven, he sang in the choir of Guildford Cathedral, and when he became a student at West Horsley's Cranmore School, he performed in the school choir and attended a drama club. Tom received his secondary education at Howard of Effingham School (by that time he was already actively involved in acting in movies and had little time left for studying).

When Tom turned eight, his mother's friend suggested he try acting in movies. Thanks to her recommendation, he landed the role of Peagreen Clock in the family comedy "The Borrowers", beating out four hundred other kids for the part. Tom's talent was noticed, and he was invited to other projects.

In 1998, he was offered the role of Thomas Ingham in the series "Second Sight", and a year later, he played Louis Leonowens, the son of the main character (Jodie Foster) in the historical drama "Anna and the King". At the same time, Tom appeared in commercials for Commercial Union and Barclay Card companies.

Harry Potter

Tom's breakout career launched in 2000 when he landed a role in the iconic British fantasy film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", based on J.K. Rowling's beloved novel. Rowling herself was involved in casting and envisioned Tom as Draco Malfoy, though the young actor had originally hoped to play the lead character. Later, Felton came to appreciate his complex character - vivid, morally ambiguous, and guaranteed to spark intense reactions from audiences. Harry Potter was played by Daniel Radcliffe, with whom Tom became close friends during the filming.

The cast also included Rupert Grint, Chris Rankin, Emma Watson, and other young newcomers who used the film as a launching pad for their acting careers.

Playing the villain proved challenging for Tom, who's naturally easygoing and kind-hearted in real life. He particularly struggled to master Draco's signature contemptuous sneer, which became as iconic as the character's platinum blonde hair. Felton later revealed he nearly damaged his hair from constant bleaching, leading him to negotiate strict hair care provisions in future contracts.

Tom Felton Reacts to His First Scene in Harry Potter

Over time, Felton became so convincing as Draco that fans began associating him with the character in real life. Fans assumed Tom was equally arrogant and conceited, with some children actually afraid of him and online trolls hurling insults his way. One particularly disturbing incident involved a fan who suggested Tom should legally change his name to Draco, relocate to America, and become their adopted son.

Tom Felton in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Since Tom was still a teenager, he initially struggled to handle the overwhelming fame that suddenly crashed into his life. But as the series progressed, Draco evolved into a more tragic figure who inevitably won viewers' sympathy. By the final films, audiences were in tears, and Felton admits he needed tissues when watching his own performance in theaters.

Tom Felton Behind the Scenes of Harry Potter

"Harry Potter" became a genuine cultural phenomenon that transformed the film industry. The franchise earned eight BAFTA nominations and ranks among the highest-grossing film series of all time. Tom won three prestigious awards for best movie villain and had earned nearly three million dollars by age 23.

He spent part of the money on expensive gadgets and luxury cars, which he has a special passion for, invested some in stocks, gave a significant sum to his parents, and donated a large amount to charity.

Self-Discovery and Career Evolution

Knowing his "Harry Potter" days were numbered, Felton struggled to figure out his next move. Acting auditions proved challenging, and more often than not, they didn't pan out. Tom has openly admitted that casting calls made his knees shake, and the roles he was offered never broke free from his well-worn typecast. So he pivoted to hip-hop, signing with an indie label and diving into grime-rap composition.

Feltbeats - Time well spent medley

Felton found his groove in music, dropping several EPs and racking up YouTube views with his music videos. But those ten years on set hadn't gone unnoticed, and in 2011, Tom made his way to Los Angeles for casting on the sci-fi blockbuster "Rise of the Planet of the Apes."

Legacy 22 - Tom Felton

He snagged a small but memorable role as Dodge Landon, a cruel zookeeper who torments the film's protagonist. His new character wasn't far removed from Draco, and neither were his subsequent roles in "The Apparition," "The Maze Runner," "Murder in the First," and others.

Tom Felton in Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Felton couldn't shake the image that had immediately stuck to him, and only after starring in historical dramas "Belle" and "United Kingdom" did he manage to break free from this typecasting trap. While these films weren't box office gold, Tom proved his acting range had barely been tapped.

In 2016, Tom landed a recurring role in season three of "The Flash," playing the complex Doctor Alchemy Julian Albert. The role let him join the superhero universe and massively expand his fanbase among comic book enthusiasts.

Felton was then cast as Laertes in "Ophelia," a modern take on Shakespeare's Hamlet, starring alongside talented British actresses Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts. He also joined the cast of American web series "Origin," playing a crew member on a spacecraft bound for planet Thea.

But Felton's ultimate goal remains playing James Bond—or at least a villain worthy of going toe-to-toe with 007. With countless Hollywood actors vying for Bond-related roles, Tom's got his work cut out for him.

Tom Felton's Personal Life

Tom Felton's personal life has been of great interest to his fans since his time in the "Potter" franchise. For a long time, he was rumored to be in a relationship with his co-star Emma Watson, who once admitted to having a major crush on him. The actors do appear together frequently in public and actively communicate on social media, but both insist they're just friends. Recently, Felton supported Watson's desire to identify as "self-partnered," saying he's also embracing that lifestyle.

Tom started thinking this way after his breakup with Jade Gordon, who worked as a stunt coordinator on "Harry Potter," and played the role of Astoria, Draco's wife, in the last part of the saga. Like so many co-stars, their on-screen chemistry became real, and once filming wrapped, they dove headfirst into their relationship.

They hung out frequently with their mutual friend Daniel Radcliffe, often visited Surrey County, where they both come from, and even planned to get married soon. In 2016, the couple suddenly split with no explanation, and three years later, Jade married golfer Patrick Rodgers, who is five years younger than her.

The actor does not comment on his personal life, and even during the livestreams that became a celebrity staple during lockdown, he steered clear of the subject. During his weekly Instagram Live sessions, Tom prefers to sing his songs and chat online with friends and colleagues, including his on-screen father, who played the role of Lucius Malfoy, actor Jason Isaacs.

Tom Felton is very dedicated to his physical fitness, having loved golf, basketball, swimming, tennis, rollerblading, ice skating, and skiing since childhood. But Tom's biggest passion is fishing - he even studied fishing techniques in college. Together with his brother Chris, he is a member of the Angling Trust and takes part in tournaments, including international ones, while also advocating for clean waterways and ecosystem protection.

Tom Felton Now

Tom Felton is currently acting in movies, though his recent projects haven't exactly been major blockbusters. In 2020, he starred in the children's fantasy "A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting" and the war drama "De slag om de Schelde." In addition, the actor was part of the "Return to Hogwarts" special episode dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film.

In 2022, he was busy filming the movies "Burial," "Saving the Cinema," and "Canyon Del Muerto."

Tom Felton: latest news and articles

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, will participate in the reboot of `Harry Potter`

5 May 2025

Photos: Tom Felton