Renowned actor Sir Michael Gambon, celebrated for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise, has passed away at the age of 82. His death was confirmed by his wife, Lady Gambon, and their son, Fergus, who shared the news with profound sorrow.
In a heartfelt statement, the family revealed that Gambon passed away peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by his loved ones, after suffering from pneumonia. They expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have received, while also requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Gambon’s journey as the wise and beloved Hogwarts professor began in 2002, stepping into the role of Dumbledore after the death of Richard Harris. He reprised the role in six Harry Potter films, starting with “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and concluding with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Despite his iconic portrayal of the character, Gambon confessed that he never read J.K. Rowling’s books, the source material for the films, arguing that the screenwriter’s words were his guide.
Born in Ireland, Gambon was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his contributions to drama. His acting career began on stage, with his breakthrough performance in a 1963 production of Hamlet. He went on to star in “Life of Galileo” and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor three times and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards twice. However, he retired from theater in 2015 due to difficulties remembering his lines.
Before captivating a new generation as Dumbledore, Gambon had a prolific film career, starring in movies such as “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover” (1989), “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), and “The Insider” (1999). He also lent his voice to Uncle Pastuzo in the Paddington films and narrated the Coen brothers’ “Hail, Caesar!”
On the small screen, Gambon won his first British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role in the BBC’s “The Singing Detective” (1986). He continued to earn accolades for his performances in “Wives and Daughters,” “Longitude,” and “Perfect Strangers.” His most recent role was in the British psychological thriller series, “Fortitude,” from 2015 to 2019. He also appeared in “Judy,” a biographical drama about actress Judy Garland, in 2019.