Despite being something of a marmite figure, in that people love him or hate him, Rik Mayall was one of the biggest names in British comedy during the 1980s and 1990s. His career has seen him star in three bizarre sitcoms, Bottom, The New Statesman and the Young Ones, whilst he also played the recurring role of Lord Flashheart in Blackadders II and IV. Technically speaking, he never appeared in a Harry Potter film, though he was cast as Peeves the Poltergeist in the first film, Philosophers Stone. Left on the cutting room floor, Peeves is one of the most notable omissions from the film series, appearing regularly as a source of mischief and mayhem in the books. The role wouldve certainly suited Mayalls style perfectly.
3. Lenny Henry
He may be predominantly known these days for his obnoxious series of adverts for the Premier Inn hotel chain, but once upon a time Lenny Henry was a successful comedian and presenter, with perhaps his most notable contribution to the world being his founding of the Comic Relief charity and bi-annual telethon with Richard Curtis. In the third film of the series, Prisoner of Azkaban, Lenny Henry was hired to voice a talking shrunken head aboard the Knight Bus. The character doesnt appear in the books but in the film serves as a source of comic relief and directions for the bus driver, Ernie, who is mute in the film but not in the books. Henrys wife of twenty-five years (1985-2010), Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French, also appeared in a more significant role within the film, playing the Fat Lady portrait that covers the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.