Daniel Radcliffe says 'Harry Potter' was an 'amazing springboard' for his career

NEW YORK, April 4 (UPI) -- Daniel Radcliffe credits the Harry Potter movies as being an "incredible springboard" for his career.

The 24-year-old star appeared in an interview on Today Friday, and expressed his gratitude to the series. The actor has starred in several other productions since, and is grateful the movies didn't leave him typecast.

"I think the perception around [young adult film franchises] is that they can only be sort of hinderance to people," Radcliffe says. "But I think [it depends] on how you use it and...on what your own goals are for yourself."

"If you just want to coast on the fame of the franchise for the rest of your life, then you might well be able to do that," the star continues. "Or, that might prove impossible."

"I always wanted to do other things," Radcliffe asserts. "So far at least, Potter's been an amazing springboard to all of that."

The actor is currently involved in a stage production of The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Cort Theatre in New York. He has also performed in the plays Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and starred in the films The Woman in Black and Kill Your Darlings.

The Cripple of Inishmaan opens on Broadway on April 20.