Renowned Actor Michael Gambon, Famous for His Role as Dumbledore in Six ‘Harry Potter’ Films, Passes Away at 82

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Michael Gambon, an esteemed actor widely recognized for his role as Albus Dumbledore in six out of the eight “Harry Potter” movies, has passed away, according to a statement from his publicist on Thursday. He was 82 years old.

His family, via a publicist statement, revealed that he succumbed to a case of pneumonia. “It is with immense sorrow that we announce the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. A cherished husband and father, Michael departed peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by his wife Anne and son Fergus,” the family conveyed.

Gambon, whose career spanned more than half a century, was instantly identifiable by the profound and resonant timbre of his voice. He stepped into the role of the beloved Hogwarts headmaster after the demise of the previous actor, Richard Harris, in 2002.

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Although he admitted to never having read any of J.K. Rowling’s popular novels, he insisted that adhering strictly to the screenplay enabled him to fully encapsulate Dumbledore’s essence— the formidable wizard committed to combating evil and safeguarding his pupils.

While his portrayal of Dumbledore did significantly elevate his international fame, Gambon had already been widely regarded as one of the preeminent actors in the United Kingdom. His extensive oeuvre includes television, stage, and radio performances, as well as roles in a plethora of films ranging from “Gosford Park” to “The King’s Speech” and the family-friendly animated film “Paddington.”

In recognition of his contributions to drama, Gambon was knighted in 1998.

Born in Ireland on October 19, 1940, and raised in London, Gambon initially pursued a career in engineering, emulating his father. He made his theatrical debut in Dublin in a staging of “Othello.”

In 1963, he garnered his first significant opportunity with a minor role in “Hamlet,” performed by the National Theatre Company under the stewardship of the iconic Laurence Olivier.

Earning his stripes as a venerable stage actor, Gambon received wide critical praise for his lead role in “Life of Galileo,” directed by John Dexter. He was a frequent nominee for theatrical accolades, winning the Laurence Olivier Award three times and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards twice.

Gambon also received four prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards for his work in television.

He became a cultural icon in Britain following his lead role in the 1986 BBC series “The Singing Detective,” penned by Dennis Potter, and was awarded a BAFTA for best actor for his performance.

Known for his acting versatility, Gambon once expressed to the BBC his fondness for playing characters with a darker edge. His roles included that of gangster Eddie Temple in the UK crime thriller “Layer Cake” and a malevolent crime lord in Peter Greenaway’s “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.”

He also portrayed King George V in the 2010 drama “The King’s Speech” and returned to the works of J.K. Rowling in 2015 with a principal role in the television adaptation of her book “The Casual Vacancy.”

He retired from stage acting in 2015 due to difficulties with line memorization, a consequence of his advancing age. He candidly told the Sunday Times Magazine, “It’s a regrettable reality, but I simply can’t do it anymore. It devastates me.”

Always private about his personal life, Gambon was married to Anne Miller and had a son, Fergus. He later fathered two sons with set designer Philippa Hart.

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More about Michael Gambon obituary

• Michael Gambon’s IMDb Profile
• “Harry Potter” Film Series Official Website
• British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards
• Laurence Olivier Awards Official Website
• Obituary for Richard Harris, Predecessor as Dumbledore
• Michael Gambon’s Interview with the Sunday Times Magazine
• BBC Series “The Singing Detective” Overview
• “The King’s Speech” Official Movie Site
• “Gosford Park” Official Movie Site