Life After Ronald: Rupert Grint

Welcome back, Potterheads! Last week we discussed Emma Watson, and what she has been doing post-Potter. This week’s spotlight is reserved for the ginger we all love: Rupert Grint, more famously known as Harry’s best friend Ronald Weasley.

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Grint, now 27, had originally auditioned for the role of the youngest male Weasley when he was 10-years-old. It’s been five years since the last Harry Potter film premiered, and Grint hasn’t been in the public eye much. Which made me wonder, what has Rupert Grint really been up to?

(Photo Courtesy of Richard Grassie)

Living out his childhood dream, that's what! "As a kid, my first ambition was to be an ice cream man. As soon as I had enough money, I bought a 1974 Mr. Whippy Bedford CF," Grint said in an interview. He originally bought the van during the Potter days, but took it out a few times post-Potter and became the most famous ice cream man in the world. Did I mention he didn't actually sell ice cream, but gave it away for free?

(Photo Courtesy of www.popcrush.com)

While most of the HP cast made quite a splash outside of the Wizarding World, Grint's success has been at a slower rate. He provided his voice for animated characters in American Dad (2012), Underdogs (2013) and Postman Pat: The Movie (2014). He even sang a song for Postman Pat: The Movie, listen to it here. He has also starred in a few indie movies as well: Into the White (2012), Charlie Countryman (2013), CBGB (2013) and Super Clyde (2013). However, just because he had a slow start doesn't mean he's done acting. In fact, 2016 is the year of Rupert Grint's comeback!

(Photo Courtesy of The New York Times)

“As much as I loved it… it was a big sacrifice. My whole childhood, really, was devoted to that. I always kind of felt like I was missing out on a little bit. Once I finished, I had this kind of epiphany where I just wanted to have a little bit of fun, and just live a little bit, and not worry about anything,” Grint told MTV. Grint's had his fun and time away from the spotlight, and he has boarded the Hogwarts Express and officially left Hogwarts. “I want to get back into it, and do new things and new challenges,” he continued. “I love doing theater… that was really educational actually, being onstage. I fell in love with acting again. Now is the time.” Sticking true to his word, he had just performed on Broadway in January. He played Sir Frank Finger in It's Only a Play alongside Megan Mullally, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Stockard Channing. However, that is not the only acting he's done this year.

(Photo Courtesy of Moon Walkers)

Grint also starred in Moon Walkers which just premiered January 16, 2016. This is a film that was definitely outside of Grint's comfort zone, yet I was extremely proud to see him extend his talent. The film is a '60s comedy that stars Grint as an unlucky band manager who teams up with a government ruffian (Ron Perlman) to fake a landing on the moon for the C.I.A. Scabbers, I don't think we're in Hogwarts anymore.

(Photo Courtesy of www.eonline.com)

I truly look forward to seeing the growth Rupert Grint makes throughout 2016 and the years to come. He has the talent to make it far just as his other HP cast mates have, and I know he will. Thank you for bringing Ron Weasley to life, but now it is time for you to become the actor you've always aspired to be. Check back with us at the end of the semester for more updates on Grint and where else 2016 has brought him!

Don't forget to apparate back here next week to hear about what the girl-next-door Bonnie Wright has been up to since her Ginny Weasley days. If you don't know what apparate means, you're more than likely a muggle and you may just surf the internet to get back here to my magical page!