Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter,’ dies at 82
The world of cinema and theatre has lost one of its most brilliant and versatile actors. Sir Michael Gambon, who portrayed the wise and powerful wizard Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, passed away on September 28, 2023, at the age of 82. He died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.
Gambon was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 19, 1940, to a seamstress mother and an engineer father. He moved to London with his family when he was five years old and left school at 15 to pursue a career as a toolmaker. However, he also developed a passion for acting and joined a local amateur theatre group. He later enrolled in a drama school and made his professional stage debut in 1962.
He soon caught the attention of the legendary Laurence Olivier, who invited him to join the newly formed National Theatre in London. There, he worked alongside some of the greatest actors of his generation, such as Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, and Ian McKellen. He also performed in a variety of plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Brecht, Beckett, Pinter, and Ayckbourn, among others. He won three Olivier Awards, the most prestigious theatre award in the UK, for his roles in A Chorus of Disapproval (1985), A View from the Bridge (1987), and Man of the Moment (1990).
Gambon also had a prolific and diverse career on screen, appearing in more than 100 films and television shows. He made his film debut in Othello (1965) and went on to star in critically acclaimed movies such as The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), The Wings of the Dove (1997), The Insider (1999), Gosford Park (2001), The King’s Speech (2010), and Victoria & Abdul (2017). He also lent his distinctive voice to animated films such as The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and Paddington (2014) and (2017).
However, he is perhaps best known to the younger generation of fans for his role as Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the Harry Potter franchise. He took over the role from Richard Harris, who died in 2002, and played the character in six films from 2004 to 2011. He brought a sense of authority, warmth, and humor to the role, and became an iconic figure for millions of Harry Potter fans around the world.
Gambon was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his services to drama. He also received four BAFTA Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and numerous other honors and nominations for his work. He was widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, and a source of inspiration and admiration for his peers and successors. He was described by his friend and director Nicholas Hytner as “always in closeup, no matter how far away from him you sat”.
Gambon’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from his colleagues, friends, and fans. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, said that Gambon was “one of the most wonderful, generous, and kind people I have ever worked with” and that he “will be missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know him and work with him”7. Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, said that Gambon was “a brilliant actor and a wonderful man” and that she was “so sad to hear of his passing”7. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said that Gambon was “a legend and a gentleman” and that he was “honored to have shared the screen with him”.
Gambon’s legacy will live on through his remarkable body of work and his unforgettable portrayal of one of the most beloved characters in literature and film. He was a master of his craft, a joy to watch, and a delight to work with. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace, Sir Michael Gambon. You were truly magical.
