Harry Potter Actor Sir Michael Gambon Passes Away

A protégé of Laurence Olivier and one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre, Sir Michael Gambon who played the character of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in J. K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ series, has passed away at the age of 82.

The Hollywood reported that a family statement provided by a representative said, “The Great Gambon,” as Ralph Richardson once called him, died “peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”

The statement read,
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

The Irish–English actor portrayed the character of Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films and also worked in TV, film, theatre, and radio over his six-decade career, winning four Baftas.

Although Irish-born, he became a British citizen in his childhood and was knighted for services to the entertainment industry in 1998.

Some of the Dublin-born star’s iconic works include ‘Skylight,’ ‘Betrayal,’ ‘The Life of Galileo,’ ‘Tales from Hollywood,’ ‘A View from the Bridge,’ ‘Gosford Park,’ ‘The King’s Speech,’ ‘The Singing Detective,’ ‘Wives and Daughters,’ ‘Longitude,’ and ‘Perfect Strangers’ among others.