Tom Marvolo Riddle (December 31, 1926 - May 2, 1998), better known as Lord Voldemort, is the main antagonist of the Harry Potter book and film franchise. He is the archenemy of the franchise's titular protagonist Harry Potter, as well as the murderer of his parents James and Lilly Potter respectively.
He is the heir of Salazar Slytherin who was destined to open the Chamber of Secrets and purge Hogwarts from all Muggle-born students. Initially, Riddle's goals were only to fulfill his role as Slytherin's heir; as the years went on, however, he had expanded his ambitions into taking over the entire wizard world and shape it under his and Slytherin's supremacist views and ruling eternally. Consequently, Voldemort became the most powerful and feared Dark Wizard of all time - surpassing fellow dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the process - as well as the founder and supreme leader of the Death Eaters.
In the films, he was portrayed in his main form by Ralph Fiennes.