Enrolled in drama school when his fellow band members announced they wanted to study drama
After filming Seven Years in Tibet with Brad Pitt, he was banned for life from entering China
Originally considered for the role of Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, before he was cast as Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Penned the novel The Late Hector Kipling (2007)
Had to stop doing research for his role as a Nazi in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) because the subject matter was giving him bad dreams
Fans sometimes mistake him for Welsh actor Rhys Ifans
Awards
2017Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or A Movie:nominated
2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:nominated
1996BAFTA Film Awards-Best Short Film:nominated
1993Cannes Film Festival-Best Actor:winner
1993National Society of Film Critics-Best Actor:winner
1993New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actor:winner