Thomas Andrew Felton (born 22 September 1987) is an English actor best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the film adaptations of the Harry Potter fantasy novels by J. K. Rowling.
Born in Surrey, Felton began appearing in commercials and made his screen debut in the role of Peagreen Clock in The Borrowers (1997). He portrayed Louis T. Leonowens in Anna and the King (1999) before being cast in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001). Felton appeared in seven sequels including the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). Felton appeared in the sci-fi film Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). He was subsequently cast in indie films From the Rough (2011) and The Apparition (2012).
Felton starred as Viscount Trencavel in the historical miniseries Labyrinth and as James Ashford in the period drama Belle (2013), which released to critical acclaim. In 2015, he recurred as a murder suspect in TNT's Murder in the First. Felton appeared in Message from the King and A United Kingdom, which premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. He portrayed Doctor Alchemy on The CW's The Flash, based on the comic books of the same name. Felton co-starred in drama film Feed (2017), action-thriller Stratton (2017), and biographical film Megan Leavey (2017). Felton was a series regular on the 2018 sci-fi series Origin and appeared as Laertes in Claire McCarthy's Ophelia (2018), both to critical praise. Felton portrayed the villain in family-horror A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020).
Early life
Thomas Andrew Felton was born on 22 September 1987 in Epsom, Surrey, the youngest of four sons born to Peter Felton and Sharon Anstey. His parents divorced when he was a teenager. His maternal grandfather is geophysicist Nigel Anstey. Felton was educated West Horsley's Cranmore School until age 13, after which time he attended the Howard of Effingham School for his secondary education. Felton developed an interest in singing during his childhood and subsequently joined school choirs; he was offered a place in the Guildford Cathedral Choir.
Career
1997–2000: Beginnings
Felton began acting in adverts for companies such as Commercial Union and Barclaycard. He landed his first feature film role in when he played the role of Peagreen Clock in Peter Hewitt's The Borrowers (1997). In 1998, Felton voiced James in the television series Bugs. Felton played witness Thomas Ingham opposite Clive Owen in Second Sight in 1999. Felton's portrayed Louis T. Leonowens in the film Anna and the King (1999), starring Jodie Foster, which was filmed in Malaysia. In 2000, Felton made a guest appearance in Second Sight 2 in the episode "Hide and Seek".
2001–2011: Harry Potter series and recognition
In 1999, auditions were held for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the film adaptation of J. K. Rowling's novel of the same name. Felton had not read the books at the time of the auditions, and originally read of the roles of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley before ultimately being cast as Draco Malfoy, the "enemy .. who will do anything, and plenty besides, to be sure his house places first." Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released in 2001 to critical and commercial success. The film was praised for its casting, including Felton's; one critic called his performance "the personification of upper-class insolence."
He reprised his role the following year in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), which saw Felton winning a Disney Channel's Kids Award. Felton started his Official Tom Felton Fan Club in 2004 and took part in autograph signing events. His fan club was reported to have attracted so many fans that Felton had to put a temporary stop to people signing up. When the fan asked Felton what kids should do if someone like his character is bullying them, he said: "Tell someone. You do not want to keep it to yourself."