Renowned actor Michael Gambon, famous for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, has passed away at the age of 82, as confirmed by his publicist. Gambon would be the second actor to play the wizard to have passed away since the film franchise premiered more than 20 years ago.
Born in 1940 in Dublin, Ireland, Gambon succumbed to pneumonia, according to a family statement delivered by his publicist (via AP). He is survived by his spouse, Anne Miller, and three children.
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside," the statement read.
Gambon's illustrious acting career spanned from 1962 to 2023, during which he accumulated a plethora of credits. However, he will forever be cherished for his iconic role as Dumbledore, a central character in the Harry Potter series. Gambon assumed the role after the passing of Richard Harris, who portrayed Dumbledore in the first two films. Gambon took over the character in the subsequent six movies.
His acting journey commenced in 1962 with a debut appearance in the Gate Theatre's production of Othello. This followed a brief stint as an engineering technician, a profession he mastered through an apprenticeship with Vickers-Armstrong. In 1965, Gambon made his film debut when the Othello production transitioned to the big screen.
Throughout his film career, Gambon left an indelible mark with notable credits in works such as The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover in 1989, 1997's The Wings of the Dove, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The King's Speech, and Victoria & Abdul in 2017. However, it was his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films from 2004 to 2011 that catapulted him to international stardom.
Regarded as one of Ireland's finest actors, Gambon's interests extended beyond acting. He was an avid collector of antique guns, clocks, watches, and classic cars, and he held a private pilot's license, indulging in flying as a qualified pilot. In 1998, Gambon was knighted as a Knight Bachelor for his contributions to the world of drama during the New Year Honours.
