Oh, no! One of my latest favorites, Daniel Radcliffe, has just admitted that he’s got a girlfriend! Sob. What will I do to mend my broken heart? Daniel’s girlfriend is older than him… by all of four years. Does that qualify as a “cougar”? Screw it, I’m calling her cougar. Her name is Laura O’Toole, and she’s a 24 year old Irish girl. Daniel and Laura met in the fall of 2007 when they were costarring together on Broadway in Equus. At the time, there were rumors that the two were dating, but I have no idea if they‘ve been dating straight through for nearly two years, or if they‘ve had some breaks in between. I find Laura to be cute, but she’s not a stunner. Rather plain, in my opinion, but she looks like she’s probably a very nice girl. Uncomplicated. You can see Laura below and in the old promotional shots for Equus.
Star: Tell us something about yourself that will shock Harry Potter fans.
DR: I write verse! I’m not sure if it’s any good. I don’t write under my own name – that would be a bit scary – but I have had a private book published, and it’s appeared in some magazines.Star: How has your Harry Potter fortune changed you?
DR: I’ve made some sensible investments… bought a flat in London, I keep it reasonably tidy. I’ve been there for nearly two years. I still take the washing around to Mum occasionally though! And I’ve bought a painting by Jim Hodges, a New York artist, that I love. There’s a bit of calligraphy in the middle that spells “Oh for crying out loud!” – which is something my mum says a lot. That’s its appeal.Star: And what about your love life?
DR: My girlfriend is Laura O’Toole, and she was in Equus with me, but I don’t really want to talk about that, because she’s not here and it’s not fair. Sorry!
[From Star Magazine, July 27, print edition]
So did Star Magazine pull that quote from an old interview, or is Daniel really dating this girl? I actually think it’s a genuine interview, and he really is dating Laura. TimeOut London just confirmed it in a new interview with Radcliffe. I just skimmed the interview, but it seems to have a lot of Harry Potter questions – obviously, because that’s the film he’s promoting.
On a side note: In the TimeOut interview, there was this interesting exchange: the guy asks Daniel about the whole Christian Bale on-set, expletive-ridden tirade against a coworker, and Dan replies “That shocked me. I’m not going to judge him, as I don’t know anything about it. If it was as unprovoked as it sounded, it’s outrageous. But I’m sure there was other stuff going on. I’ve always looked up to him, because he was one of those people, like Jodie Foster and Elijah Wood, that made that transition from childhood actor to adult actor really well. Foster did it rather brilliantly. And Christina Ricci.” Uh-oh. That’s when it’s bad, Christian Bale. When child stars no longer put you on their list of people who have transitioned into full-fledged adult careers. It’s because of the all-important caveat: Have a career without being a dick. Words to live by, Bale.
Here’s Daniel outside The Late Show on 7/9/09. Credit: WENN.com
The more I hear about him, the more I like him. He seems like a truly nice kid who hasn’t let the celebrity go to his head. He seems also to have an unconventional streak which is truly refreshing and inclusive (re: his comments about gays and drag queens). And I think it still means something in England for an Englishman to have an Irish girlfriend (of course, I could be wrong). Good for him in every way.
Was it really that much of a secret though?
he’s my nice boy…
I wonder if she helps him pick out his premiere clothes.
Um, Kaiser I read that last bit differently:
“I’ve always looked up to him, because he was one of those people, like Jodie Foster and Elijah Wood, that made that transition from childhood actor to adult actor really well. Foster did it rather brilliantly. And Christina Ricci.” Uh-oh. That’s when it’s bad, Christian Bale. When child stars no longer put you on their list of people who have transitioned into full-fledged adult careers. It’s because of the all-important caveat: Have a career without being a dick. Words to live by, Bale.”
Dan is saying that he always considered Bale on the list and Bale’s transitional success is like the others. So he didn’t kick Bale off the list.
So she’s normal looking so therefore plain and uncomplicated? Any other huge conclusions based on nothing that you’d like to jump to?
DanRad is completely adorable! And it’s nice that he keeps his private life his own business.
Yeah, I remember there was talk of them being an item when they were in that play.
Good for him. Go, Lil Harry Potter, go.
ferber! i don’t know where you are from but i’m from ireland and it would be no big deal for an english man to have an irish girlfriend or vice versa! i’m more shocked about the book of poetry!!
What does “it still means something in England for an Englishman to have an Irish girlfriend” mean?
It’s an OLD interview. They split up at the beginning of 2008
The old promotional photoes are not of Laura. They’re of Joanna Christie, the girl who O’Toole was the under-study of. And I agree Kaiser. She’s not what I would call a stunner either, but she snagged DanRad, so that’s one over me 😉
Trey, that was funny! lol
Thanks for the info, Rose. I’m from New York, but I thought maybe the “troubles” between the English and Irish might make Daniel’s choice of an Irish girlfriend objectionable to some of his countrymen (though I’d certainly applaud him). I’m glad to hear that isn’t the case. I am wondering though, would it still be no big deal if Prince William or Harry had an Irish girlfriend? I really don’t know much about this at all, and don’t want to stir up sensitivities, but I am curious about it and would be happy to be enlightened.
wow…a book published and he didnt go around parading it. I have liked him ever since the first movie, just because I love the books. But I like him more and more through interviews because of him being open, quirky, and down to earth.
@jferber – Your comment:
“And I think it still means something in England for an Englishman to have an Irish girlfriend” – about 30 years out of date if it were ever really true.
They have been seen together in New York. She did attend Daniel`s 19th birthday dinner. I`ve always thought they were together, and he said they`ve split so she could have peace. Last photos of them together were in January in New York.
There have been all kinds of rumours going around about his sexuality, his business of course, but this proves he`s not gay. Oh well he likes down to earth women.
BTW, the pics are of Daniel in a winter parka, and Laura walking beside him. In his 19th birthday pics she`s walking with Marcia, ( Dan`s mom) entering a restaurant.
He kept claiming they`re really good friends…..I bet they were still in a relationship.
I think, London is a great place to stay and with all these movie stars who frequently visit London to participate in parties and Movie launches makes London a great place. I would like to buy a flat in London where I can stay and enjoy watching the movie stars.
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Wow… All Daniel needs to do is grow a handle mustache and he’d be mistaken for the the guy from the Village People.