10 Unexpected Truths About Eddie Redmayne

Thanks to his extraordinary skill and undeniable charisma, Eddie Redmayne quickly transitioned from a promising young actor with a few TV credits to an Oscar-winning star.

Just three years after his standout performance in 2012’s Les Misérables, Redmayne clinched the Best Actor Oscar for his masterful depiction of the late Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything (and secured another nomination the next year for The Danish Girl). His fame soared further when he entered the Harry Potter universe, playing Newt Scamander in 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

As Redmayne gears up to return as the magical protagonist in the Fantastic Beasts sequel, The Crimes of Grindelwald, we’ve compiled some lesser-known details about the 36-year-old actor.

1. HE ATTENDED SCHOOL WITH PRINCE WILLIAM.

The actor shared that during his time at Eton College, he studied alongside Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Both were chosen for The Eton Society, a prestigious group at the school, and even played rugby together. “He’s an incredible person,” Redmayne mentioned to Glamour. “I often felt a bit bad for him because everyone wanted to tackle the future king of England. He endured all the tackles.”

Among Redmayne’s notable peers at Eton were Avengers star Tom Hiddleston and Prince Harry, William’s younger brother.

2. HE HAS A FORM OF COLORBLINDNESS.

Redmayne has openly discussed his mild colorblindness, often relying on his wife Hannah Bagshawe for fashion advice.

“I feel a bit dishonest calling myself colorblind because I do see colors,” Redmayne told GQ. “For instance, when I’m filming a scene and need to step on a red mark on green grass, I struggle with my peripheral vision. If I look directly, I can tell the difference, but it’s hard to explain to others.”

3. HE DISCOVERED HIS FAME WHILE SLEEPING ON A PLANE.

Like many actors, Redmayne first became aware of his fame when he was recognized outside of work. However, his moment came while he was asleep on a flight. He shared that after waking up, the passenger beside him asked if he was someone important, as the flight attendants had been observing him sleep.

4. HE FELT SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT HIS FRECKLES UNTIL MEETING JULIANNE MOORE.

Covered in freckles, Redmayne admitted to feeling self-conscious about them during his youth. However, this changed when he auditioned for the part of Julianne Moore’s son in the 2007 film Savage Grace. Redmayne revealed to Conan O’Brien that Moore instantly knew he was perfect for the role based solely on his looks. (He got the part.)

5. HE FABRICATED HIS HORSEBACK RIDING SKILLS TO SECURE A ROLE.

While auditioning for the TV miniseries Elizabeth I, Redmayne misled director Tom Hooper into believing he was an experienced horseback rider. When it came time to ride, it became painfully clear he had no such experience.

“I nearly injured myself and half the crew,” Redmayne told Conan O’Brien, recalling how Hooper then shouted over the loudspeaker, “You’re a f***ing liar, Redmayne!”

6. STEPHEN HAWKING COMMENDED HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING.

Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything earned praise from Hawking himself. The physicist shared his admiration on his Facebook page, and director James Marsh revealed how deeply Hawking was moved. “He emailed us, saying there were moments when he felt he was watching himself,” Marsh told Variety.

7. HE WAS THE FIRST ACTOR BORN IN THE 1980S TO WIN AN OSCAR FOR ACTING.

Redmayne made history as the first actor born in the 1980s to win an Academy Award for his role as Hawking. He also joined the ranks of 17 actors who have won Oscars for playing real-life figures while they were still alive. (Hawking passed away three years after Redmayne’s victory.)

8. HIS AUDITION FOR STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS DIDN’T GO AS PLANNED.

Before joining the Harry Potter universe, Redmayne tried his luck in the Star Wars galaxy. He auditioned for the part of Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens, but the secrecy surrounding the project left him clueless about the character’s role. In an attempt to impress, he mimicked Darth Vader, which didn’t work out.

“My Star Wars audition was a complete disaster,” he admitted in 2014. “Nina Gold, a brilliant casting director I adore, was there. After multiple attempts to play a villain, she asked, ‘Got anything else, Eddie?’ I replied, ‘Well, there goes a childhood dream.’"

9. HE TRIED OUT FOR TOM RIDDLE IN HARRY POTTER.

Long before landing the lead in Fantastic Beasts, Redmayne auditioned for the original Harry Potter series. “I tried out for Tom Riddle during my university days,” Redmayne told Empire. “I completely bombed and didn’t even get a callback. Over the years, I secretly hoped to play a Weasley, but it never happened."

10. HE WAS THE TOP AND SOLE PICK FOR FANTASTIC BEASTS.

Although Redmayne missed out on playing Riddle, that audition opened the door to the Harry Potter world. When casting for Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts, producer David Heyman instantly considered Redmayne.

“Eddie Redmayne was our one and only choice from the start,” Heyman told The Telegraph. “He not only fits the 1926 era perfectly, but he embodies everything Newt should be: intelligent, witty, quintessentially British, and deeply empathetic—even as someone who prefers creatures over people."