Harry Potter Actor Award Nominations

Harry Potter, the wildly popular British book and movie series, is turning head in many venues. Not the least of which is Buckingham palace. When Queen Elizabeth II awards OBEs I want these Harry Potter actors to get one. I submit these actor nominations to receive the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE). My nominations are based on their work in Harry Potter, but also for other great works of theater, drama, film and television. Four of my eight nominations made my Top 10 Sexiest Actors list (see article).

Ralph Fiennes: This versatile actor was the ideal choice to embody, at least partially, Harry Potter's arch nemesis Lord Voldemort. Ralph Fiennes can turn his hand to comedy, Wallace and Grommit, drama (The Constant Gardener) romance (The English Patient), period drama Wuthering Heights and horror with great facility. While some might disagree that Fiennes role as the Nazi camp Commandant Amon Goeth in Schindler's List was a horror
role, you've only to listen to the sibilant evil with which Fiennes can imbue his voice. Heard again as Voldemort Ralph Fiennes could easily develop a acting reputation for horror only, if his other genre portrayals weren't so exquisite.

Jason Isaacs: Lucius Malfoy is only one side of this actor's personality. Although Jason Isaacs excels at being erotically evil, note his role of the brutal, savage Lord Tavistock in Mel Gibson's Patriot, Jason Isaacs has a warm, charming side. His dual role of Father and Captain Hook in Peter Pan was both deliciously seductive and delightfully paternal as well.

Warwick Davis: I have loved Warwick Davis since his role of Reepicheep the courtly Knight Mouse in the 1985 Wonderworks productions of The Chronicles of Narnia. Warwick Davis did not reprise his Reepicheep role in the 2008 Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, but he did take on the role of Nikabrik, the Dwarf. Warwick Davis in the title role of the reluctant Dwarf Willow in Ron Howard's film Willow was delightful. Warwick Davis takes on several roles in Harry Potter. Music Professor Filius Flitwick, Goblin Bank Teller and Griphook in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Toby Jones: As Dobey the house-elf in Harry Potter and Smee in Finding Neverland, Toby Jones is charming. As Swifty Lazar in Ron Howard's Frost/ Nixon, Barton Snode in City of Ember and Daniel Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop, Toby Jones is quixotic. With his puckish face, some may not take Toby Jones seriously as an actor. It's to their peril not to.

Gary Oldman: While Toby Jones may look puckish and quixotic, Gary Oldman actually is. Gary Oldman, or Sirius Black (Harry Potter's godfather and the Prisoner of Azkaban) has one of the broadest array of films of any actor I know. As a character actor, Gary Oldman changes dramatically for each role. A silly buffoon in Rosencratz and Guildenstern are Dead. Gary Oldman went on to play a string of sensual, tormented souls: Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK, the vampire in Dracula, Ludwig Von Beethoven in Immortal Beloved and the Rev. Arthur Dimesdale in The Scarlett Letter. Gary Oldman even had a go at Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols in the movie Sid and Nancy. After his stint in Harry Potter, Gary Oldman reprises his role of James Gordon for Batman, The Dark Knight. Oldman rounds out his career with video game voice-overs and a multiple role of Bob Crachitt, Tiny Tim and Jacob Marley in Disney's A Christmas Carol coming to IMAX in 2009.

Well, Your Majesty, several worthy actors for the coveted OBE, don't you think?