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Michael Gambon, who famously played Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movie franchise, has passed away. He was 82. Gambon started his acting career with future Hollywood icon Laurence Olivier as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre.
Over his six-decade-long career, he received three Olivier Awards–the British equivalent to a Tony–two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards. In 1999, Gambon was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama.
His wife Lady Anne Gambon and his son Fergus, publicist Clair Dobbs issued a statement. “We are devastated to announce the loss,” it read (via Variety). It also noted that the “beloved husband and father” had died peacefully in a hospital with his wife and son by his side following a bout of pneumonia. The official Harry Potter Twitter sent its condolences as it paid tribute to a former cast member.
It was his role as the head of the Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter franchise, however, that made him a familiar face to a younger generation of fans. He succeeded actor Richard Harris in the role, who died in 2002 after portraying Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies.
Gambon’s extensive career had him working alongside multiple generations of stars with over 150 TV or film credits to his name. That’s already adding to his body of stage work which is more than impressive in its own right.
