While some tend to be snarky about Hufflepuff, it's hard to find Harry Potter enthusiasts who would object to being sorted into the house of Rowena Ravenclaw. Ravenclaws are renowned for being intelligent, witty, and unapologetically candid. Some of the most well-known Ravenclaw’s that audiences have been introduced to through the Harry Potter films and books include the charming Cho Chang, alongside the more eccentric characters such as Moaning Myrtle, Luna Lovegood, and Professor Trelawney. Plus, who could forget the arrogant, devious Gilderoy Lockhart?
Today, the Potter phenomenon shows no signs of abating (especially with all the Fantastic Beasts hype), and the importance of knowing a colleague’s Hogwarts house is on par with figuring out their Zodiac sign. Even today’s A-list celebrities have gotten in on the action. Since most stars choose to remain secretive about which house Pottermore sorts them into, its become common practice to delegate houses to our favorite actors and actresses ourselves.
Article updated on November 25th, by Matthew Wilkinson: With major Hollywood stars being incredibly well-known, with their personalities being clear through social media and press interviews, it is easy to determine what house they'd be best suited to. While many people might look to take a spot in Gryffindor, the Ravenclaw house has played host to some fantastic witches and wizards as well, and it is a house anyone would be lucky to be part of. So, who among Hollywood’s elite would be eligible to sit in Ravenclaws common room?
Stephen Colbert
Talk show host Stephen Colbert is known for his quick wit and intelligent dialogue. In interviews, he has stated that his parents strongly valued education and intellect, which is probably why Colbert went on to get his college degree. Although he was a theatre major at Northwestern University in 1984, he ended up graduating from Northwestern's School of Communication in 1986.
Colbert’s obvious intellect and strong morals would make him an excellent Ravenclaw, as J.K. Rowling herself has stated. Colbert directly asked the Harry Potter author which house he belongs to, to which she replied, “definitely Ravenclaw, but with Gryffindor undertones.”
Stephen Fry
When it comes to celebrities with great intelligence, few are able to hold a candle to Stephen Fry. The British actor is a very smart man, which is showcased by how he hosts Q.I, often bringing out amazing facts and pieces of information about the most random of subjects.
Stephen Fry also has a strong connection to the Harry Potter world. While he may not have been involved in the movies, Fry was the man chosen to narrate all of the books in the U.K. for their audio release, meaning for a lot of people, he has been the voice of this franchise.
Natalie Portman
This one should come as no surprise, especially for those familiar with Natalie Portman’s ridiculous accomplishments. Portman started acting when she was just 13 years old and landed the highly publicized role of Star Wars' Queen Padmé Amidala in 1997. Although she’s had insurmountable success as an actress, Portman didn’t stop there.
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In 1999, she decided to study psychology. Being the high achiever that she is, Portman didn’t settle on taking classes at any ordinary state university. Now, Natalie Portman holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, following her graduation in 2003. With intelligence and perseverance as strong as that, there’s no doubt that Portman belongs in the Ravenclaw house.
Denzel Washington
Golden Globe winner Denzel Washington is celebrated for his numerous acting roles. He went to a private preparatory school as a boy, which he later stated changed his life. He says that Oakland Military Academy helped steer him in the right direction and took him out of a bad crowd he had been hanging out with. In 1977, Washington earned a BA in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University. Being the hard worker that he is, he decided to further learn his craft by taking acting classes at the American Conservatory Theater in Calfornia.
The sorting house once described the house founder as “wise, old Ravenclaw.” With Washington’s demeanor and intellectual leanings, Ravenclaw seems to be a pretty fitting house for him.
Carrie Underwood
This gorgeous southern pop singer got her start on American Idol in 2005. In those early audition days, Carrie Underwood might have been seen as more of a Hufflepuff: patient and hard-working. But the more Underwood became known under the spotlight, the more obvious it has become that she is a Ravenclaw. Besides having a high stake in education (she has a Mass Communications degree from Northeastern State University), Underwood is consistently working as an artist and activist.
She has launched numerous causes such as Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation, which aids the wider community. Ravenclaws pride themselves on their constant efforts and drive, and it’s clear that Underwood does too.
James Blunt
Another singer that would be a sure-fire Ravenclaw is James Blunt. The English singer is incredibly popular and while he's notorious for his singing career, he is also very well-known for having one of the funniest Twitter accounts on the platform.
He happily fires back at people who complain about him or send him hateful comments, showing amazing wit and sarcasm with his replies. Ravenclaws are known for being quite witty people who are sharp-tongued and good with responding, and that's what would work well for Blunt.
Hugh Grant
This charming English actor is known for his sophistication and a keen sense of comedic timing. Grant is also well-established for his renaissance-type roles. He played opposite Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility as her suitor.
It’s these type of roles that really display Grant’s humble demeanor and intelligence. He even has a degree in English Literature, which he received from New College Oxford. Pretty Ravenclaw-ish, don’t you think?
Lin-Manuel Miranda
When it comes to celebrities with tremendous intelligence and compassion, look no further than Hamilton's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has showcased time and time again his ability to tell a story through unique ways with singing and rapping being combined.
However, he also shows his intelligence through his amazing social media account. His daily posts are heart-warming to everyone who follows him and showcase the wisdom needed to see the bigger picture, which is something that a Ravenclaw would be capable of doing.
James Earl Jones
This respected actor could take on the role of a Gryffindor quite well but is wholly suited to be a Ravenclaw. James Earl Jones has a degree in Drama from the University of Michigan, though you won’t hear him mention it often. This goes to show his sense of modesty, which is prevalent in Ravenclaws.
Jones is known for his voice acting gigs, such as Darth Vadar in Star Wars and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King. He also definitely has an air of originality, which Ravenclaws are known to possess.
John Krasinski
John Krasinski’s character, Jim Halpert in The Office, may be suited as a Hufflepuff, but the actor behind the charming boy-next-door is anything but. Krasinski recently wrote and directed a critically acclaimed thriller, A Quiet Place, proving his range of capabilities in the entertainment industry.
Krasinski’s talents know no bounds, and perhaps this is due to his unrelenting eagerness to push himself and think outside of the box. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from an Ivy League School. Yeah, he’s a Ravenclaw through and through.
Jon Favreau
Whether you know him as an actor, a writer, or a director, there's no doubt that Jon Favreau would be a perfect Ravenclaw. He has all the characteristics to be a natural fit into this house, from his incredibly creative mind to his excellent wit and humor.
He's a very intelligent man, which is showcased by the projects he creates. Favreau is able to blend humor and action brilliantly and that is all down to his creative spirit. Ravenclaws are well-known for being creative people and that's why he would be a good addition to this house.
Julia Stiles
Like most of the celebrities on this list, Julia Stiles is a college grad. Even though she also holds a degree in English from an Ivy League college (Columbia University), Stiles' success as an actress began when she was just 11-years-old.
She had her first leading role in Wicked in 1998 and is most well-known for her role as Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You. Although Stiles isn’t predominately in the spotlight these days, she continues to act and keep a low profile. It’s probably because of that modest intelligence that Ravenclaws are known for.
Rachel McAdams
Mean Girls, The Notebook, The Hot Chick, Wedding Crashers— Rachel McAdams came into the film industry out of nowhere as a leading character in these high-profile films. After her success in the early 2000s, McAdams took a brief hiatus from the industry. However, she came back with a bang, picking up more leading roles in films such as Sherlock Holmes, The Vow, and Doctor Strange.
McAdam’s high integrity and hard work aren’t just limited to her acting career, either. She’s an established environmentalist and works actively on immigration campaigns and charities such as the Alzheimer's Association.
Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong is another natural fit into the world of Ravenclaws. He would absolutely be placed into this house as he's a very creative and witty person, which is shown through the comedic work he has done which has helped make him famous.
However, he is also one of the most intelligent actors in the world. Jeong is a licensed physician, having completed a residency in internal medicine at the Ochsner Medical Center. This combination of creativity and brains would make him the perfect Ravenclaw.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson in any other house besides Gryffindor? Blasphemy! Not if you really take a look at the facts, though. Watson became a successful actress at the tender age of ten. Although the fame seemed a bit too heavy for the actress at times, Watson has proven to be a responsible, ethical and intelligent person. After filming the Harry Potter series, Watson went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the Ivy League American college, Brown University. As if that weren’t enough, she became a prominent ambassador of the United Nations.
Even the Sorting Hat considered placing Hermione Granger in Ravenclaw. And it’s no secret how scarily similar Watson is to the character she portrayed. It seems like a safe bet that Watson would also be in Ravenclaw—unless, of course, she were to ask to be a Gryffindor.