Which actor plays Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets?

Kenneth Branagh plays Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Lockhart is introduced as Hogwarts’ new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the second Harry Potter film. He is famous for publishing books about supposedly heroic encounters with dangerous creatures and dark wizards.

The character’s confidence is eventually exposed as fraud. Lockhart has been taking credit for other wizards’ achievements and erasing their memories with a Memory Charm. When he attempts the charm using Ron’s damaged wand, it backfires and erases his own memory.

Branagh was already known for Shakespearean acting and directing before appearing in the film. Lockhart’s exaggerated vanity gives the actor a deliberately comic role, distinct from Jason Isaacs’ portrayal of Lucius Malfoy.