Sir Michael Gambon, best known for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday, September 28th, due to complications from pneumonia. His family, represented by his spokesperson, confirmed the sad news. Sir Michael leaves behind his wife Anne Gambon and his son Fergus.
"We are deeply saddened to inform the public about the passing of Sir Michael Gambon," the statement read. "A beloved spouse and father, Michael passed away in a serene hospital setting, surrounded by his wife Anne and son Fergus."
Assuming Richard Harris' role, Gambon assumed the character of Dumbledore in the third installment of the film series, titled Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, after Harris passed away in October 2022. Gambon gracefully portrayed the cherished headmaster of Hogwarts until the conclusion of the film series in July 2011.
Gambon expressed his surprise in a 2009 interview prior to the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, saying, "It's quite strange. I never realized the immense impact these things have. I simply perform my job, go home, and it's out of my mind."
Before being cast as Dumbledore, Gambon humorously mentioned that he had portrayed numerous criminals and murderers. However, after Harris's passing, he received the opportunity to embrace a fresh challenge.
“They rang me up and said, ‘Will you do it?’ Like any other job I said, ‘Sure,’” Gambon shared. “Then you find yourself in the middle of this thing.”
Sir Michael Gambon portrayed the character of Dumbledore in the film adaptation of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.' He hails from Cabra, Ireland, a suburban area of Dublin. Gambon initially gained recognition as a theatre actor, making his debut in the role of Othello in a 1962 production of William Shakespeare's play. He later transitioned to the world of cinema and achieved acclaim for his performances in various films, including The Singing Detective, Wives and Daughters, Longitude, Perfect Strangers, Path to Emma, and The Casual Vacancy.
He played Henry Tyson in the series Fortitude and had a role in the 2019 movie Cordelia. He was honored with three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards before his death. The official social media accounts for the Wizarding World and Harry Potter films paid tribute to the late star after the news of his passing on Thursday.
Thank You!
The news of Sir Michael Gambon's death fills us with profound sorrow. His wit, warmth, and elegance brought immense delight to Harry Potter enthusiasts across the globe. His memory will forever be cherished in our hearts.
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On the Harry Potter set, Gambon was renowned as the mischievous prankster among the cast. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in all eight films, had nothing but praise for the late star.
"Michael Gambon had a knack for making me laugh to the point of frustration. When I was a teenager, he could effortlessly bring out laughter from me," Radcliffe shared in an interview with GQ in October 2022. "He would keep me laughing right up until the moment we had to start filming, and then he would seamlessly switch into a performance filled with seriousness and charm. He's truly incredible."