Jim Dale Reveals Secrets of Narrating Harry Potter | Audible

[@thefalsekingslayer3717]

Its difficult to describe the absolute level of nostalgia tied up in this mans voice. I used to listen to his harry potter readings, every night when falling asleep as a child. The way he portrays the characters, all them unique but also not over performed. He reads them like the very best of parents would.

[@mikhailabunidal9146]

Remember how he use loan his exact narrating voice for the bonus features in the Harry Potter videos when they إنطلقو وانباعو were released and sold while إحنا منكبر we grew up

[@hillarymj2426]

Same!

[@Optamist0504]

I’m 45 y.o. and I listen to him to this day. He is my bedtime storyteller.

[@cassidy4668]

This mans voice literally cures my anxiety

[@bilbobagpipe2384]

lol same

[@sarahogborn8024]

This man’s voice is my entire childhood. I literally can not remember a time when I didn’t know his voice. I’ve listened to the HP audiobooks so many times over, and all the other audiobooks he’s done, and Jim’s talent for narration is unmatched. I wish I could thank him in person, to tell him what a massive impact he has had on my life, simply through these audiobooks. ❤️

[@auspicious93]

I JUST discovered the audiobooks at age 27. Love them!!!

[@kaosfrack1978]

Totally agree. He's marvelous :)

[@jspohl]

Yes! Genius! 💖

[@katjonsdottir4644]

Honestly, I love this man so much. He needs a knighthood... yesterday. Sir Jim Dale, has a nice ring to it.

[@FionaBloom]

So agree!

[@moonlampje156]

kat jonsdottir best comment ever😍

[@okaminess]

kat jonsdottir lol

[@andrewhutchinson36]

Sir Jim would sadly not be possible now as I understand he has taken US citizenship.

[@Iggywiggywoo]

Did you ever watch Pete's Dragon as a kid?

[@kittykat123425]

I swear he could read a drilling manual and I'd be on the edge of my seat.

[@auspicious93]

LOL

[@douglasweiss5583]

Are we hinting at an Uncle Vernon’s Drill Company Spinoff? 😉

[@kittykat123425]

@@douglasweiss5583 ooh, maybe

[@BaileyWhite]

Vernon Dursley, is that you?

[@bigkaytoncampus]

Something tells me you've read a drilling manual

[@acdragonrider]

I liked his portrayal of the characters more than the actors’ performances in the movies. lol

[@themanthelegendjmw]

well his Hermione was probably worse.

[@beccah8671]

idk... he did the bratty yet endearing voice extremely well

[@azzzanadra]

@@themanthelegendjmw i really liked his hermoine

[@p0x914]

I agree his voice amazed me i listed before i watched the movies and i honestly loved his voices and acting way better i love Daniel radcliff but he couldn't talk as a kid

[@inventor2012]

He did really well for all of them. Literally listen to them every night to fall asleep

[@ricklynn6176]

Jim Dale is simply brilliant! He literally nailed every voice and it's crazy because some of the voices he had spoken, sound like the actors in which they had cast . Especially Hagrid. And Professor McGonagle. No one could've ever done it better than he did.

[@flaggerify]

Rick Willard His Lupin good too.

[@FandomEmpress]

Elk Lord 🤣🤣🤣

[@thathorrorguy93]

Yes he did a great job. I thought it was cool that they found actors that were able to sound like him being he was the voice before the movies came out. He the reason I fell in love with the books

[@sharonbowers9929]

Isn’t he amazing?! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kaosfrack1978]

I heard him correcting a voice once within 4 or 5 sec, I think book 5 somewhere. Amazing job

[@DawnOldham]

I'm now 60 years old and I'm almost finished reading the entire series for the fourth time. With enough time in between them, I enjoy the audio books more and more as times goes by. I read a chapter (in characters) nightly to my two youngest daughters ten years ago. And now, my eldest daughter is reading a chapter nightly (also in characters) to my grandaughter. After our children heard their moms read the books to them, they were allowed to watch the corresponding movie! This story will stand the test of time, as will this superb audio version! A big thank you to Jim Dale for his excellent "being" of each character!

[@soumikbanerjee3059]

Holy shit. Imagine the amount of hard work that went into producing all 7 audio books, what with hundreds of different voices. Hope he got adequately compensated.

[@ajrestivo]

oh i bet this guy is rowling in cash, see what i did there

[@twinkietoepinkie]

@@ajrestivo lmao

[@moldyvoldy1231]

From Pete's Dragon to Harry Potter, Jim Dale was my childhood.

[@geekygengar5467]

32 years old and I still listen to this man on a regular basis.

[@jamesparker40]

Jim Dale should be Sir Jim Dale. The man is class through and through. In this short film he speaks with so much wisdom.❤❤❤

[@jackpoe72]

I am actually listening to book 7 for what is probably the 100th time. After listening to Jim Dale it is very hard to listen to other audiobooks!

[@mzhbr4673]

Jack Poe omg glad im not the only one. I can't stop listening to all the books. My husband has quite a fee audiobooks but i can't deal with their voices

[@LauraLakov]

Same! He is also the person who reads the Peter and the Star catcher’s series. It’s quite delightful hearing all the different characters he voices. 😊

[@nashsanadiki3104]

Harry Potter is what I listen to when I was waiting for my exam results in college just to ease my anxiety

[@thaDjMauz]

There are dozens of us!

[@katjamlinar9500]

Same!

[@KaylaDenny]

The absolute best! Listening to him read Harry Potter literally helped save my life. I am forever grateful to him and this story. Thank you, Jim Dale!!!

[@_shanshu]

Same!

[@colindavis2166]

When he started doing Minerva. I saw Maggie Smith for a moment. His voice while listening to the audiobooks paints a picture in my mind of what's going on. Better than it would than just reading it. I'm glad it's not just monotone, he has voices for each character.

[@cdc2317]

RIP Dame Maggie Smith

[@dangoncalvesbr]

I’ve lost count of how many times I have listened to the HP series. Jim Dale if you ever read this I really want to thank you. I read all the books many times before through the years since they first came out. Your performance and hard work brought to me a whole new HP world far more enjoyable than all the movies could have. You and all the people that work on this project just did magic! Btw I’m a listener from Brazil.

[@Mo-xx9gg]

No way! I never realised that he was the voice of the Hewlett Packard Commercials! Wow 👌

[@patrickbaker1457]

An absolute legend. The HP audiobooks are legendary, almost as legendary as the books themselves.

[@sana._.3171]

I don't know if it's only me or does anyone else also feel that he's speaking like a real wizard (sometimes sounds like dumbledore to me) ❤❤❤❤ omg it's so beautiful

[@MTBR077]

I'm at book 5 and I'm still freaked out by how well he does McGonagall's voice. Yes, his Hagrid voice is excellent, but his McGonagall is on another level of crazy good voice acting.

[@notasianjim7227]

I have been listening to the entire harry potter series on repeat for the last year and a half. Every night, in the car, whenever i can. I love it, Jim Dale cannot be topped.

[@audible]

What a lovely habit - his talent is unmatched 🙌✨

[@notasianjim7227]

​@@audibleis there an uncut version of this?

[@rssems]

I am so grateful to listen books narrated by Jim Dale. 🙏 Thank you Audible for making it possible! 🎧📚

[@amylynnhunt55]

+Rıza Selçuk Saydam Me too! I appreciate your comment!!

[@CheatsGameAndCodes]

+Amy Lynn Hunt me too :D

[@Steve-xp8we]

Stephen Frys version is much better but so hard to find.

[@tomn6800]

@@Steve-xp8we In the UK it's the other way round. Audible sells the Stephen Fry version on audible.co.uk and the Jim Dale version on audible.com.

[@giggle_snort]

I will forever associate his voice with Harry Potter. He is the best narrator. ❤

[@hillarymj2426]

I would listen to him read the HP series on my tiny shuffle over and over again, I couldnt sleep without it

[@CaseyCampbell17]

I like Jim Dale's version the best and love that he does different voices.

[@bluesdoggg]

I’ve listened to these books many times over, and love Dale’s portrayal. There is a book called The Night Circus that I recommend that brings back Jim’s narration wonderfully.

[@approxinfinity]

After spending the last 3 months listening to Harry Potter, I felt a sense of loss when it was over. After a couple false starts with other readers, I looked up other books narrated by Jim Dale, and settled on The Night Circus. So glad Jim has more stuff out there! It is great as well.

[@bishopbarks4086]

I am in tears. This man is a brilliant performer. The HP narration was astounding.

[@Fluffski2006]

Dear Jim Dale. An unsung national treasure if ever there was one. Give this man a Knighthood. Superb.

[@AshleyJenningsBigay]

Best narration of Harry Potter ever. Thank you Jim Dale.

[@deoxxys]

except for stephen frys

[@bobbybrown5820]

deoxxys no Jim Dale’s version is the best

[@bobbybrown5820]

deoxxys but you can’t find it anywhere

[@jamesgould3263]

@@bobbybrown5820 and that's for good reason, Stephan Fry is better

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Stephen Fry, reading the British edition, is far far better. I live in the US, I was very fortunate to have bought it online.

[@princecharmingthemerman]

Oh Holy Goosebumps!!! This was my childhood!!! Every summer and fall we would go up to our cabin which was a 10-12 hour ride one way and these are one of the many audio books we would listen to as a family

[@malmal3003]

I love both Jim Dale's & Stephen Fry's readings. They each bring something different unique and utterly warm to their readings.

[@audible]

We couldn't agree more! Both are extremely talented.

[@amylynnhunt55]

Oh, I am so grateful to get to see and hear this today, I have just loved Jim Dale for years now, and seeing and hearing him here, he does not disappoint! What a lovely man, I loved when he talked about reading to just one person, as I spend so much of my life listening to audiobooks (I have chronic migraines, so what used to be just darkness is now a magical land for me). Pushing Daisies is my absolute favorite TV show and Mr Dale was the perfect narrator for that magical land as well. Thank you for loving books and for the hard work and love you put into your work! I am just such a fan. :)

[@xavierscott11]

I've been listening to audiobooks routinely for over 20 years. Jim Dale is the best narrator I've ever heard, without question!

[@TarisRedwing]

God I love him he made the HP audio books a dream to listen to.

[@mhm8922]

Such an incredible talent. Just incredible! I can’t tell you how much I love Jim Dale for his work on the HP series. He’s incomparable.

[@ElizaldeEdu]

Jim Dale, I grew up loving you ever since Hot Lead and Cold Feet. The portrayal of Eli, your brother and old man father, was amazing to me. To hear you do these audiobooks is just a blessing. You did everyone complete justice and I can't imagine a better person to do it. Thank you so very much. Absolutely brilliant!

[@funny3272]

Jim Dale is one of the very, very few British actors to pull off an American accent let alone a Cowboy accent. That's the uniqueness of his craft. Surprised he doesn't get offered more voice acting roles. Would of been great to have him and Robin Williams do a cartoon together.

[@goldmoonxx]

Jim Dale is like family. I love him so much. His voice shaped my childhood and when he speaks, it feels like home.

[@stevenboulton9911]

Jim has an incredible career, I dont think people realise how much he's done in his life. I have very fond memories of watching Jim in all the carry on films, but its great that he's still very much successful in other aspects of his working life too.

[@laura__5544]

I love this man. He's so talented. So many voices, none overdone. When I was little, I thought he was JK Rowling's husband haha

[@Gabriela.Lamira]

hahahaha cute thought. Do you know if it was he who narrated HP videogames and DVD's extras either?

[@laura__5544]

@@Gabriela.Lamira I don't know, although I feel like I should know!

[@wolfisms]

I love Jim Dale and how he brought the books to life. He was fabulous as the narrator for Pushing Daisies too. My quick question...why is this video "unlisted". People should know how much work he put into the Harry Potter audiobooks.

[@amylynnhunt55]

+wolfisms I don't know how any of it works, but maybe you could e-mail Help at Audible? They might not know that it is set that way and if you ask them to share it more widely, I can't imagine why they wouldn't. The more people who get to know about and listen to Jim, the better, so I hope you have success!!

[@clarenicke8653]

Pushing Daises!!! That's where I've heard his voice before!! Thank you!

[@arcticfirefly5777]

I enjoy listening to the audiobooks over and over again. It's something magical about hearing a book read to you, yet you have to imagine the story unfold as it goes on.

[@Orangeninja5000]

This man means so much to me. I don't love every voice he chose, but I love the BULK of them, and he's consistently amazing. Specifically his voices for Dumbledore and Riddle. Snape, not as much, but its literally impossible to top Rickman. Hagrid? McGonagall? Flitwick? Sirius? Dale's voices live right here in my heart.

[@Magda-nv6xq]

Thank you Mr Dale, amazing adventure you have taken us on, utterly unforgettable. I've listened to all parts so many times and still can't get enough of your voice(s). Forever grateful to you.

[@dimwitted-fool]

I haven’t listened to the audiobooks since I was 11 years old probably. Last week I started putting on Deathly Hallows to fall asleep and it’s unbelievable how much comfort this man’s voice brings me. Like I’m a kid laying in bed again

[@lol-dm8wx]

Great narration of Dirty Potter

[@Paul_Wetor]

A while back I had re-read the books and then came across a cassette copy of the first audiobook. (Naturally I have all of them on CDs too). I threw it in my trusty old boombox. Well, once I started playing it I had to keep going, day after day. One thing I noticed was that with the books, I would tend to skip over text I already knew or words that weren't dialogue. That can't be done with an audiobook. It forced me to absorb the story at Jim Dale's speaking pace and I truly enjoyed *hearing* the book I had just finished reading. Jim Dale's melodious, warm voice really brings the books to life.

[@TenToAceStudios]

harry potter and the chamber of secrets was the first harry potter audiobook, and audiobook in general, that I ever listened to. i remember it so well too. i was like 6 or 7 so jim dale's narration gives me a level of nostalgia nothing else does

[@주니윤-c7b]

Wonderful. I spent my whole school day years with his voice. He is the one who opened up harry potter for me.

[@Xtina4444]

I am 3 Harry Potter books deep since the quarantine began five weeks ago. I love this man!

[@nhma1117]

Jim Dale is the BEST. Have loved him since PETE'S DRAGON, a revelation! go back and watch! (the older one, the classic, not the new one) He is the most talented character inspiration/embodiment and voice ever. Even if you've seen the movies/read the books, Jim's reading is a whole new experience, and our family's favorite. We listened to it on a long car trip. Made it fly! Had to pay hundreds of dollars for a JD set bc in America it's the other version, but worth seeking out/use Audible etc if you can get it.

[@kimikoifish7]

Oh my gosh this video is brilliant. Jim Dale is such an amazing man! He’s so charming! His voice is one of my most favorite sounds in the world! Thank you so much for your work!

[@jimmeskimen]

I had the honor of directing Jim Dale on an upcoming title, and he was just delightful. He's the real deal, as they say.

[@lydiakim5026]

His voice is So soothing. Probably listened to the whole series more than 50 times.

[@WhisperingJohn]

Wow, he's looking well for 81. Thanks.

[@jamesross3921]

Kutta Kyte he is WATTTTTTT 😲😲😲

[@BlindRobotDragon]

@Dylan Swinger I didn't know he was 81. I'm totally blind, have been since birth, so I haven't the foggiest idea what the man looks like, but he sounds no older than maybe 50-something, at least to my ears.

[@ConwayBob]

Jim was the PERFECT choice to read the Harry Potter books for the audiobook recordings. He made it so enjoyable to "read" those books through our ears as we drove around in our car, a favorite pastime. I will never forget our introduction to the boggarts. It was getting dark as my wife and I were wending our way home from a lovely summer drive on the backroads, listening to one of Jim's audiobooks. As dusk sank into darkness we found ourselves on a little country dirt road that wound through a swamp with fog lying on either side of the road and sometimes crossing the road in front of us. We had to slow down as the fog thickened, and just then Jim began reading us the passage in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in which Professor Lupin was introducing his Defense Against the Dark Arts class to the boggart in the wardrobe. The setting was perfect, and Jim Dale's reading of that passage sent chills up our spines!

[@tugsman5]

Never listened to a book as a kid, read them all...but when I decided to start listening to them while I drove all day for my job, he does the voices absolutely incredibly! Love it!

[@alhaeri1]

i sleep every night with this man's voice what a legend

[@hydraelectricblue]

I grew up on these audiobooks. I think I have found the defining argument for Jim Dale vs Stephen Fry. Jim Dale had a wealth of (personal) experience with different accents. I've just listened to a Stephen Fry sample and he just sounds British throughout the whole thing.

[@bicj1179]

lol I love that most of the comments are about how Jim was their childhood because he voiced the HP audiobooks, and here I am like, 'The legend from the Carry On movies whoooop!' :'D

[@josephchambers2000]

I want Jim Dale and Stephen Fry to both have roles in the upcoming series. Maybe roles that weren’t in the films the first time. So like Jim Dale as Professor Bins and Stephen Fry as Ludo Bagman.

[@Zyphorius]

Jim Dale is the voice of my childhood and I love it

[@sashaxela]

Love, love, love Jim Dale!

[@audible]

He's magical! 🪄

[@sanchez501]

Amazing. He's a classic slapstick comedian to one generation and the voice of Harry Potter to another.

[@BeerMeTV]

I read through the first 4 books. I struggled keeping my interest in book 5 when it came out. I didn’t have the money for a copy and was going to the school library after class to read an hour at a time. After a few weeks, I got busy and stopped going after class to read. A few months later, I stumped on the audio book on CD, and was finally able to finish it. What didn’t expect, was falling in love with the additional dimension Jim’s narration would provide. I was hooked. Went back and listened to the first 4 and now, Jim’s versions are the best way to experience these stories in my opinion.

[@bernicequigley4629]

I like Jim's voice in the HP books even more than Stephen Fry. He just gives his characters more personality and humor.

[@forrestheaney9059]

Greatest audiobook narration of all time.

[@dianatheiss7055]

No mention of "Peter and the Starcatcher" series......equally wonderful!

[@rebekahlarsen7691]

I grew up listening to Jim dale read harry potter on the audio books. The audio books were the only I knew and grew to love harry potter is because of the audio books. I hated reading books as a child, but I loved listening to audiobooks escpecially Harry potter. I have listened to the Harry potter audiobooks a million times. In middle school, I decided to listen to the audiobooks again and I listened to it 24/7, even when I sleep. I played the cd on repeat and it happened so much that my older sister started to dream of what was happening in the book. Long Live the Jim Dale Harry Potter Audiobooks!

[@wanderingnoble]

The greatest audio book reader of all time

[@SW-wf3gy]

I love your version of the Harry Potter audiobooks! I listen to them all the time! Enchanting! Thank you Jim! Love you!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Jim Dale co-wrote the musical Fantastiks. Yes, his career goes back that far. A great talent.

[@Ambertah]

Jim Dale is flipping amazing. I don't know how to express my gratitude for keeping me from the brink when I was unable read myself.

[@shawbag11]

I never listend to the audio books but i more remember him from the 2nd disc that came with each film and i also remember his voice in some of the games. Honestly he is just as much a part of the hp series as anyone in the films.

[@virgoaesthetics9815]

I’m 30 and have listened to the HP books at least twice a year since I was a child.. I never get tired of them, they bring so much happiness and nostalgia! I wish he did more series, I need a Jim Dale version of all audiobooks so I can expand but every time I try a new series I’m left disappointed.

[@mikeh720]

The road trips that this gentleman escorted my family through...so many memories! Blessings and thanks Mr. Dale!

[@audible]

He makes moments like these even more enjoyable! 👏

[@reneetone8965]

Jim Dale did the readings brilliantly! When I first began to listen, I didn't like his rendering, because he mispronounced certain things (such as "Gryffindor," "Hermione," and "Voldemort"). But gradually, he began to grow on me, until I fell in love with it, book after book. (He fixed his mispronunciations by Book Five!) His characterisations of Harry, Ron, Dumbledore, Hagrid, McGonagall, Moody, Lupin, Vernon Dursley, and Dobby are AMAZING and nothing short of perfect!

[@That.cool.kid.o1sin]

What a legend

[@adrianghandtchi1562]

I’m slowly getting into audio books, this guy has been my entrance and comfort zone for that type of media.

[@csulb75]

I have been listening to Jim Dale reading the Harry Potter books every night, since book one came out as an audiobook. At first it was just to enjoy the brilliant Harry Potter stories but now it is to lull me to sleep. I usually only get a paragraph or so into the story, then Jim's soothing voice puts me out. Hs range of voices and accents is incredible. I also admire his ability to age the voices of the of the student's from 11-17. I tried listening to Stephen Fry's readings and, while an excellent reader, I believe that Jim Dale captures the characters in a way more to my liking. I do read and listen to other books during my waking hours.

[@aishwaryatankkar8652]

I love Jim Dale's version so much...that these books HV been on a loop for the past 4-5 years.

[@Cracklemere]

Hang on... I just got done listening to Stephen Fry narrate all 7 Harry Potter novels. I never saw anything by Jim Dale. How did I miss this?

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

Stephen Fry did the audio books for the UK, Jim Dale did the audio books for the US. I guess maybe it was to Americanise it a bit although Fry and Dale are both English.

[@smurray7433]

He’s the absolute best!!!

[@audible]

He's so talented 🎧 ✨

[@Mrpepidew5410]

I find it hard to listen to other narrators after listening to how amazing Mr. Dale did the Harry Potter series , I’ve listened to the entire series now 3 times and thinking about doing it again , it’s through you that I feel in love with the world of Harry Potter !

[@beetleguy9446]

While the only reason I even know about Jim Dale is because of a certain miscreant's audiobook corruptions, I still really, genuinely love Jim's voice. It's truly marvelous and I aspire to be as good of a narrator as he is.

[@wednesdayashe1499]

You read me to sleep for most of my childhood - the utmost of thanks for the rich world your voice painted

[@Brian-nz8hv]

What an incredible man.

[@Beeves]

Good job grandad

[@fatthormalone2640]

these books on audio are my favorite media on the planet. I love them and am currently listening to Goblet of Fire again, I do the entire series about once a year and they relax me in a way I never felt with anything else. His voice makes me want to cry. And often does make me cry, especially at the end of a book.

[@davidbtv7398]

This mans legacy will truly live on forever. I’m 20 years old and I’ll have my kids listen to his narration of Harry Potter.

[@SpeccyMan]

I'm 63 years old and Jim's real legacy is the various memorable characters he played in some of the "Carry On" movies, long before Harry Potter.

[@fatthormalone2640]

I've just found a way to listen to these at work, I know its not paying for them but I have paid $75 per audio book on CD and they are at home so I think I have bought my right to listen. I LOVE YOU JIM!

[@S59338]

I can see the scenes so vividly from his reading, sometimes I go to start KZbin or Netflix instead of audible because I half expect a video. It’s crazy

[@carlstephenson8901]

He's so awesome! Never get tired of hearing his voice in Harry Potter. Listened to the books well over a 100 times and it's just as addicting as the first time!

[@audible]

His performance is legendary - it'll never get old!

[@muriloninja]

He is exceptional! His narration of Harry Potter is on another level entirely! A national treasure!

[@audible]

We couldn't agree more!

[@williamvouk2911]

I’d love to hear a conversation between him and Stephen Fry. Hear their different approaches to finding the voices

[@arthurwang324]

His voice sounds much younger than his appearance.

[@Yer_Da_]

He looks bloody good for 80+ though

[@mrs.potter2278]

I was expecting him to be like 40 years old😲

[@othzzzz]

OK now I want to listen to his version. I have only listened to Stephen Fry's version and it is awesome.

[@alexafetch3319]

I love Jim Dale!!!! I follow all of the books he narrates. Brings every book to life for me. I am starting Harry Potter with my kids and HE is reading it to them, while I hold the book :)

[@petercroce]

Jim Dale changed my life.

[@RLJSlick]

You really have to love Jim Dale!!

[@blueseasbluesky]

Thank you, Sir! You are amazing and brought much join to our family as we listened to the CDs.