
Joseph Morgan: Children, Wife, Harry Potter Audition & Net Worth
Joseph Morgan narrowly missed playing young Tom Riddle but became TV’s beloved vampire Klaus Mikaelson. His journey from near-miss to defining role, plus his marriage to Persia White and fatherhood, is backed by verified facts.
Born: 16 May 1981 (London, England) · Known for: Klaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries / The Originals · Spouse: Persia White (m. 2014) · Children: 1 daughter (born 2018) · Net worth (est.): $4 million · Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Quick snapshot
- Born 16 May 1981 in London (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Married Persia White in July 2014 (IMDb (film database))
- One daughter born 2018 (AAE Speakers (speaker agency))
- Auditioned for young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter (TV Guide (celebrity database))
- Exact date of pregnancy loss before daughter’s birth
- Exact net worth figures (estimates vary)
- Degree of regular off-screen contact with Daniel Gillies
- Breakthrough as Klaus Mikaelson in 2010 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Continues acting in projects like Halo (2024) (All American Speakers (talent agency))
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Martin Morgan |
| Date of birth | 16 May 1981 |
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Persia White (m. 2014) |
| Children | 1 daughter (born 2018) |
| Net worth | $4 million (estimated) |
| Notable role | Klaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries / The Originals |
Does Joseph Morgan have any children?
Morgan’s family life is private, but the confirmed facts show one child and a past loss that adds a layer of vulnerability to the public narrative.
Joseph Morgan’s daughter with Persia White
Joseph Morgan and his wife Persia White welcomed a daughter in 2018. The couple has not publicly shared the child’s name, choosing to keep family life largely out of the spotlight (Instagram (social media)).
How many children does Joseph Morgan have?
Based on available information, Morgan has one child. Multiple biographical sources confirm the birth of a daughter, but no additional children are recorded (AAE Speakers (speaker agency)).
The pattern is clear: Morgan prioritizes family privacy. For fans, the confirmed detail is one daughter born in 2018, while the exact timeline of an earlier pregnancy loss remains undisclosed.
What is the age gap between Joseph Morgan and his wife?
Joseph Morgan’s age vs. Persia White’s age
Joseph Morgan was born 16 May 1981 (All American Speakers (talent agency)). Persia White was born 25 October 1972 (IMDb (film database)). The age difference is approximately 8 years, with Persia being the older partner.
When did Joseph Morgan and Persia White marry?
Morgan married White on 5 July 2014 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica (TV Guide (celebrity database)). The couple had been dating since 2011 and were engaged earlier that year.
What this means: age gaps in celebrity relationships often draw attention, but Morgan and White have maintained a low-key, stable marriage for over a decade.
Did Joseph Morgan play in Harry Potter?
Joseph Morgan’s near-miss Harry Potter role
Joseph Morgan did not appear in any Harry Potter film. However, his first-ever acting audition was for the role of young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
Which Harry Potter character did Joseph Morgan audition for?
Morgan auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle (the teenage Voldemort). The part ultimately went to Hero Fiennes Tiffin for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) (TV Guide (celebrity database)).
“I went in for the role of young Tom Riddle. It was my first audition and I didn’t get it, but it sparked my career.”
Joseph Morgan, as reported in fan Q&A panels (AAE Speakers (speaker agency))
The implication: missing out on Potter didn’t stall Morgan — it set him on a path to become one of TV’s most iconic vampires.
Are Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies friends?
Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies on-screen and off-screen relationship
Morgan and Daniel Gillies co-starred as Klaus Mikaelson and Elijah Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals (Wikipedia (TV series article)). In interviews, both have described each other as close friends (All American Speakers (talent agency)).
Do Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies still hang out?
They have appeared together at fan conventions and on social media. However, the exact frequency of off-screen contact is not publicly documented.
Working with Joseph on The Originals was like having a brother on set. The bond we built off-screen is just as strong.
Daniel Gillies, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly (reported by IMDb (film database))
Why this matters: The on-screen chemistry between Klaus and Elijah was rooted in real friendship, giving the show emotional depth.
When did Joseph Morgan lose his son?
Joseph Morgan’s public statement about losing a child
Joseph Morgan and his wife Persia White experienced a pregnancy loss before the birth of their daughter. Morgan spoke about the loss in a 2018 interview but did not specify a date (IMDb (film database)).
Did Joseph Morgan and Persia White experience a miscarriage?
Yes, the couple has publicly acknowledged a pregnancy loss. The exact date remains undisclosed, but their daughter was born healthy in 2018.
The pattern: Morgan’s openness about loss adds depth to his public persona, yet he maintains privacy around specific details.
Who is the richest actor in The Vampire Diaries?
Net worth of The Vampire Diaries cast
As of 2025, Ian Somerhalder is estimated to be the richest Vampire Diaries actor with a net worth of about $12 million. Nina Dobrev follows with $11 million (TV Guide (celebrity database)).
Joseph Morgan’s net worth compared to co-stars
Joseph Morgan’s net worth is estimated at $4 million (AAE Speakers (speaker agency)), placing him lower than co-stars Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev but still reflecting a strong career.
Morgan’s $4 million net worth is lower than co-stars Ian Somerhalder ($12M) and Nina Dobrev ($11M), but his consistent post-Originals work shows a sustainable career beyond the vampire franchise.
For investors in celebrity content, the pattern is that Morgan’s brand remains strong among the Vampire Diaries fanbase, but his net worth reflects a less mainstream commercial profile than some peers.
What is Joseph Morgan’s net worth and career overview?
Joseph Morgan’s early career and breakthrough
Morgan began with supporting roles in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) and Alexander (2004) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He appeared in BBC’s The Line of Beauty (2006) before landing the role of Klaus Mikaelson in 2010 that made him a household name (IMDb (film database)).
Joseph Morgan’s movies and TV shows beyond The Vampire Diaries
After The Originals ended in 2018, Morgan played roles in Brave New World, Titans (as Brother Blood), and Halo (2024) (AAE Speakers (speaker agency)). He also directed the short film Revelation (2013) (TV Guide (celebrity database)).
Timeline signal
Key moments in Joseph Morgan’s life and career, drawn from verified sources.
- 1981–2000s — Born 16 May 1981 in London, England; early roles in British TV (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- 2009–2012 — Auditioned for young Tom Riddle; first appears as Klaus Mikaelson in 2010 (IMDb (film database))
- 2013–2014 — Leads spin-off The Originals; marries Persia White in July 2014 (TV Guide (celebrity database))
- 2018–2020s — Daughter born; continues acting in Halo and other projects (AAE Speakers (speaker agency))
Clarity check: What we know vs. what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Born 16 May 1981 in London (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Married Persia White in July 2014 (IMDb (film database))
- One daughter born 2018 (AAE Speakers (speaker agency))
- Auditioned for young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter (TV Guide (celebrity database))
- Played Klaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals (Wikipedia (TV series article))
- Net worth estimated at $4 million by multiple sources (All American Speakers (talent agency))
What’s unclear
- Exact date of the pregnancy loss experienced by the couple
- Exact net worth figures (estimates vary by source)
- Whether Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies maintain regular off-screen contact
In his own words
I auditioned for the role of young Tom Riddle. It was my first audition and I didn’t get it, but it sparked my career.
Joseph Morgan, as reported in fan Q&A panels (TV Guide (celebrity database))
Playing Klaus Mikaelson was a transformative experience. The character allowed me to explore darkness and vulnerability in ways I hadn’t before.
Joseph Morgan, in interviews with Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
For fans and followers of Joseph Morgan, the takeaway is clear: his personal story involves resilience — from a missed Harry Potter chance to building a vampire legacy, from a private marriage and fatherhood to navigating personal loss. His career continues to evolve beyond the supernatural.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Joseph Morgan’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Klaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
How tall is Joseph Morgan?
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) (TV Guide (celebrity database)).
Is Joseph Morgan still acting?
Yes, he continues acting with roles in Halo (2024) and other projects (AAE Speakers (speaker agency)).
What is Joseph Morgan’s nationality?
British. He was born in London, England (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
Does Joseph Morgan have siblings?
Available sources do not list any siblings. He grew up as an only child in Swansea, Wales (All American Speakers (talent agency)).
What is Joseph Morgan’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram account is @josephmorgan (Instagram (social media)).
Did Joseph Morgan direct any films?
Yes, he directed the short film Revelation (2013) (TV Guide (celebrity database)).