At age 31, Harry Melling has definitely changed since his role as Dudley Dursley in five out of six Harry Potter films. In fact, many fans may have a tough time recognizing him after his dramatic weight loss. In an interview with news.com.au, the actor admitted that folks don’t really recognize him on the street because of his transformation. Melling is remembered for his role as the insufferably spoiled Dudley Dursley in the iconic franchise. However, in recent years the actor’s appearance is nothing like the chubby kid he was in the Harry Potter movies.
Melling made his debut in the first Harry Potter movie titled “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” released in 2001 (also known as “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone). He would reprise his role for the next four films making his last appearance in “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” According to reports, Melling started losing weight while he was playing Dudley Dursley. In fact, he had lost so much weight that producers even thought about recasting his role in the last film he was in. Ultimately, the actor could take up his role one last time by wearing a fat suit.
#HarryPotter's #HarryMelling almost unrecognisable due to weight loss https://t.co/UdVEhmBhaZ via @DailyMailCeleb 👓⚡
— Totty Johnson (@6060764) October 26, 2020
Melling later told People that he wasn’t trying to lose weight, but he does enjoy the anonymity his new look grants him, explaining:
“I think it was an unconscious thing when it started to happen. I went to drama school when I was 18 and that’s kind of where the weight shifted, not for any sort of major need on my side, but it’s just something that just happened.”
“And I’ve done a lot since drama school, went to do lots of theaters. I think one of the blessings of that sort of stage in my life was the fact that I didn’t get recognized.”
“I had this history of being part of the films, but also I felt like I had the opportunity to sort of cause a new start, which I think is useful.”
Harry Potter star unrecognisable after weight loss Harry Potter star Harry Melling has admitted that he doesn’t get recognised anymore thanks to his incredible weight loss. https://t.co/wSbmhtbWpe
— of today (@_oftoday_) October 27, 2020
Aside from his brilliant work in the Harry Potter films, Melling has also been in three Netflix projects released in 2020: The Old Guard, The Queen’s Gambit, and a show called “The Devil All the Time.”
Harry Potter's Harry Melling admits no one recognises him anymore after weight losshttps://t.co/brwANHveJ0
— Mirror Celeb (@MirrorCeleb) October 24, 2020
Below, you can also watch a video in which Harry Melling talks about his role in “The Devil All The Time.”