Harry Potter Immortalized in Wax

Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe has become the youngest wax figure ever. On July 2 in London's Madame Tussauds the newest wax figure was debuted. Our favorite friend from the wizarding world is dressed in a conservative black suit and appears as Daniel Radcliffe rather then the character Harry Potter. Daniel has done some serious acting in addition to the Harry Potter series and this wax figure should reflect that. Since he is the youngest wax figure to be created the artists chose to make him appear a bit older so a newer model wouldn't be necessary immediately. The statue is unveiled 10 days before the latest movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, appears in British movie theatres.

Madame Tussauds London is one of London's most famous tourist attractions. The beginnings of the real Madame Tussauds is one of great determination. She was born Marie Grosholz in Strasbourg in 1761. Marie learned wax sculpting from her mother's employer. In 1780 she became the art tutor to King Louis XVI's sister. The collection she helped her mother's employer sculpt was left to her and after 8 years of marriage to Francois Tussauds left him to bring that collection to the British Isles. She spent 33 years traveling and showing the collection. In 1835 she took permanent residence The Bazaar, Baker's Street, London. There she becomes a huge success, constantly turning out more and more wax figures until her death in 1881.

Madame Tussauds grandson, Joseph Randall, moves the site in 1884 to Marylebone Road where it is now. In 1925 a horrific fire gutted the entire building, destroying all the of the wax figures, the costumes and the priceless furnishings and paintings. The Exhibition was rebuilt 3 years later out of the saved molds. A large Cinema and Restaurant were added in the rebuild. In 1940 it was bombed in a German raid, the only statue coming out without a scratch was ironically that of Hitler.

Today there are Madame Tussauds locations all over the world. In addition to London they are found in New York, Amsterdamn, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Hong Kong and coming soon to Washington D.C. In London's attraction some of the newer additions aside from Daniel Radcliffe include England's own Prince Charles. Many actors and entertainers have been immortalized as well, such as Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Minogue. The Queen herself is there along with a chance to step aboard the Black Pearl and meet Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann. The Las Vegas attraction offers visitors a chance to get married among the celebrities. Put on your bunny ears and party with Hugh Hefner, the first figure to made out of silicone instead of wax. Any location promises to offer an experience like no other!