‘Harry Potter’ Actor Nick Moran Recovering After Emergency Spinal Surgery

The 55-year-old actor underwent a life-saving surgery with the potential risk of losing the ability to talk or walk.

Nick Moran attends the Chain of Hope Gala Ball in London, England, on Nov. 16, 2018. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

British actor Nick Moran, known for his role as Scabior in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” is recovering at home after undergoing a critical spinal operation described as life-saving.

The 55-year-old was rushed to the hospital following sudden and severe neck pain, initially dismissed as minor discomfort. According to longtime friend and actor Terry Stone, Moran delayed seeking medical attention.

“But, as a bloke, he said, ‘No, I’ll put some deep heat on it’—then he went to the doctors and got sent to A&E and was told, ‘We need to take you in for an emergency operation because this is life threatening,’” Stone told Daily Mail.

Stone initially shared a social media post that featured a now-deleted photo of Moran in intensive care, noting that the surgery carried risks that could have left the actor unable to talk or walk. “Nick was rushed into hospital this week for a life-saving operation which may mean he may never talk or walk again,” Stone wrote.

In a more recent update, Stone said the situation is improving. “He’s had major surgery and is recovering in the ICU,” Stone wrote. “He’s giving us the thumbs up but still needs your support, prayers & love. Let’s pray he fully recovers and is back to normal soon.”

Born on Dec. 23, 1969, in East London, Moran rose to fame with his breakout role as Eddie in Guy Ritchie’s cult classic “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” (1998), which catapulted him into the spotlight as a prominent face of British cinema in the late 1990s.

He further gained international recognition for portraying Scabior, a sinister Snatcher aligned with the Death Eaters, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—Part 1” (2010) and “Part 2” (2011). His chilling performance introduced him to a new generation of audiences and solidified his place in one of the world’s most successful film franchises.

In addition to acting, Moran has also made significant contributions behind the camera. He co-wrote and directed 2008’s “Telstar,” a biographical film about pioneering record producer Joe Meek, based on the stage play of the same name.

As Moran continues to recover following life-saving spinal surgery, his earlier reflections on upbringing and family life offer a deeper understanding of the personal strength and perspective that may be helping guide him through this difficult chapter.

In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, Moran spoke reflectively about growing up in the council estate of South Oxhey, Hertfordshire. He described the neighborhood as a self-contained world with little connection to the more affluent areas nearby.

“There’s one road on and one road off and the school was built within the estate, so that the kids don’t infect the surrounding areas,” he said.

The actor, best known for his role as Scabior in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and as Eddie in “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” is the eldest of three brothers. He described himself as “the runt of the litter” compared to his much taller siblings, crediting his quick wit and sarcasm to the need to maintain authority in a household full of “blokey blokes.”

Moran also detailed the artistic aspirations of his parents. His mother, once a hairdresser who dreamt of acting, and his father, a practical, intelligent man denied a university education, raised their sons with a blend of discipline, creativity, and working-class grit.

“I think maybe there’s an element of me doing things vicariously for them,” Moran said.