There were many Gellert Grindelwald actors throughout the Harry Potter franchise, especially as Fantastic Beasts brought him into the spotlight. Each iteration of the infamous wizard Gellert Grindelwald has been wildly different from the other, with each actor bringing their distinctive flavor to the role. Gellert Grindelwald is mentioned a few times throughout the Harry Potter books. However, his first official introduction was as an old “friend” hidden in Dumbledores past in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book.