Michael Gambon, Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter’ Films, Dead at 82

Michael Gambon, the BAFTA-winning British actor best known for portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, has died at the age of 82.

Gambon died following a bout with pneumonia, his publicist told the BBC. His family added in a statement, “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside.”

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One of the United Kingdom’s most decorated actors on both stage and screen, Gambon won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor four times, including three consecutive years from 2000 to 2002 for Wives and Daughters, Longitude, and Perfect Strangers.

Two years later, Gambon landed his most high-profile role, taking over for the late Richard Harris as the Harry Potter series’ Professor Albus Dumbledore. Gambon played the beloved Hogwarts leader in six films, from 2004’s Prisoner of Azkaban to the series-ending Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.

In an emotional statement, Harry Potter‘s Daniel Radcliffe called Gambon “one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with” and called a world without him “considerably less fun.”

“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun,” Radcliffe wrote in a statement to Variety. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket.”

“The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be,” Radcliffe added. “I’m so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him.”

Rupert Grint, who starred as Ron Weasley in the franchise, remembered Gambon as his “personal role model” in an Instagram tribute.

“So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family, Rupert,” he wrote.

Author J.K. Rowling called Gambon “a wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor,” writing on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael’s family and everyone who loved him.”

Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the series, added on social media: “The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that [Michael Gambon] knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me.”

And the official Harry Potter Twitter/X account wrote Thursday, “We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts.”

Other notable roles in his storied career include the titular thief in the 1989 crime film The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, a pair of Wes Anderson films — The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, and a voice role in The Fantastic Mr. Fox — as well as Gosford Park, Sleepy Hollow, The King’s Speech, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

In the U.K, Gambon is also remembered for playing The Singing Detective in a six-part series that’s considered one of greatest British series of all time. In 1998, Gambon was knighted by the Queen for his services to drama.

On the stage, Gambon was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in 1997 for Skylight, his lone Broadway role; however, over the course of his career, he received 13 Olivier Awards nominations – the British equivalent of the Tonys – for his stage roles, including three wins. He was also nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe for his portrayal of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 2002 TV movie Path to War.

Gambon retired from the stage in 2015, citing issues memorizing his lines. However, he continued to appear on screen in films like Paddington 2, King of Thieves, and the Judy Garland biopic Judy.

This story is developing…

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