Harry Potter actor Tom Felton has a witchcraft past - he is a descendent of convicts hanged at the notorious Salem witch trials of 1692.

The 19-year-old actor, who plays Draco Malfoy in the hit films, has had his family history scrutinised by American researchers studying the history of Salem witches.

Expert David Nelson says, "I have discovered concrete proof of a link between Tom and some of those who were executed. He is a distant relative of John Proctor - who was hanged on August 19, 1692."

-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)