Michael Gambon, the Irish actor who played Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the last five "Harry Potter" films, died on July 31, 2023, at the age of 82. His death was confirmed by his agent, who did not release a cause of death.
Gambon was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 19, 1940. He began his acting career in the early 1960s, appearing in productions at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. He made his film debut in 1965's "Othello" and went on to star in a wide range of films, including "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" (1989), "Gosford Park" (2001), and "The King's Speech" (2010).
Gambon was cast as Dumbledore in 2004, following the death of Richard Harris, who played the role in the first two "Harry Potter" films. Gambon brought a different kind of energy to the role than Harris, playing Dumbledore as more gruff and eccentric.
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Gambon's performance as Dumbledore was praised by critics and audiences alike. He was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004).
In addition to his work in film and television, Gambon was also a highly respected stage actor. He appeared in numerous productions at the National Theatre in London and won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in "Skylight" in 1995.
Gambon is survived by his wife, Anne Miller, and their two children.
Tributes to Gambon
Following the news of Gambon's death, many of his former colleagues and fans paid tribute to him on social media.
"I'm so terribly sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon," Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the films, wrote on Twitter. "He was a giant of the stage and screen, and I was incredibly fortunate to have known and worked with him. Michael was a wonderful actor and a lovely man. He will be deeply missed."
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, wrote on Twitter, "Very sad to hear the news of Michael Gambon's passing. He was a truly exceptional actor who brought Dumbledore to life onscreen in such a wonderful way. My deepest condolences to his family and friends."
Other tributes came from actors such as Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Alan Rickman, as well as directors such as Alfonso Cuarón and David Yates.
Gambon was a talented actor who made a significant contribution to both film and television. He will be remembered for his many memorable roles, including that of Albus Dumbledore
