Harry Melling
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1989-03-17
    • Born Place: London, England, UK
  • Also Known As:

    הארי מלינג, Гаррі Меллінг, هری ملینگ, Harry Edward Melling

Harry Melling

Harry Melling (born March 17, 1989) is a British actor who has undergone one of the most remarkable career transformations in modern cinema, evolving from a recognizable child star into a prestigious leading man. Born in London into an acting dynasty—his grandfather was Doctor Who star Patrick Troughton—Melling first gained international fame playing the spoiled, bullying cousin Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise (2001–2010). After the series ended, he intentionally stepped away from the limelight to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), undergoing a significant physical transformation that left him nearly unrecognizable to fans of the wizarding world. This shift allowed him to "start a new career" in theatre and independent film, where he quickly earned a reputation for playing intense, eccentric, and deeply vulnerable characters. His "second act" breakthrough came in 2018 with the Coen Brothers' The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, where his haunting performance as a limbless orator was hailed as a masterclass in physical acting. He followed this with a string of high-profile projects, including his role as the soulful chess player Harry Beltik in Netflix’s global hit The Queen's Gambit (2020) and a chilling turn as a fanatic preacher in The Devil All the Time. In 2022, he took on the monumental task of playing a young Edgar Allan Poe in The Pale Blue Eye, starring opposite Christian Bale to widespread critical acclaim. Most recently, in 2025, Melling solidified his status as a fearless performer with his leading role in Pillion. As Colin, a timid man navigating a complex BDSM relationship with a biker (Alexander Skarsgård), Melling’s performance was described by critics at Cannes as "electric" and "star-making," showcasing his unique ability to balance pathetic comedy with profound emotional depth.

Person History