Happy Birthday, Kenneth Branagh!

Dec 10, 2017

Posted by: Amanda Kirk

Actor Birthdays, Birthdays, Branagh

Gilderoy Lockhart’s alter-ego turns 57 on December 10th.

Although most famous for his adaptations of Shakespeare, Belfast native Branagh is a versatile actor who could not have been more perfect for the part of narcissistic fraud Lockhart.  With his ageing, slightly dissipated good looks, Branagh was able to carry off Lockhart at his most dashing and hubristic, and with his natural comic timing he was able to let Lockhart’s facade drop to reveal the vain, feckless charlatan underneath.

Like several of the other storied British adult actors in the films, Branagh trained with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, of which he is now president, and cut his acting chops in theatre.  He had worked with many of his Harry Potter costars previously on stage or screen, and was even married to one of them (Emma Thompson) until he had an affair with another (Helena Bonham Carter).

Lockhart may be permanently confined to St. Mungo’s psychiatric ward but Branagh can be seen currently as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, in cinemas now.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.