Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon dies aged 82

It is with great sadness that the family of Sir Michael Gambon announces his passing at the age of 82. The esteemed actor, renowned for his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the realms of television, film, theatre, and radio throughout his illustrious five-decade career. Notably, he was the recipient of four prestigious Bafta awards.

Lady Gambon, his widow, and their son Fergus express their profound grief as they inform that their cherished husband and father peacefully departed in the presence of his loved ones at the hospital, following a battle with pneumonia.

Sir Michael commenced his career as one of the original members of Laurence Olivier’s esteemed National Theatre acting company in London. Subsequently, he garnered three Olivier awards for his exceptional performances in National Theatre productions.

He portrayed the character of French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and achieved recognition for his portrayal of Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective on the BBC.

Following the demise of Richard Harris in 2003, Sir Michael assumed the role of Dumbledore, the esteemed headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts, in the immensely popular Harry Potter series, which was based on the novels penned by JK Rowling.

In 2010, he received Emmy award nominations for his portrayal of Mr Woodhouse in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, and for his portrayal of President Lyndon B Johnson in Path to War in 2002. Additionally, he was bestowed with a Tony nomination in 1997 for his role in David Hare’s play Skylight.

Within acting circles, Sir Michael is renowned as “The Great Gambon.” His most recent stage appearance occurred in 2012, when he graced the London production of Samuel Beckett’s play All That Fall.

He is also renowned for his portrayal of French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret, as well as his leading role in the BBC series, The Singing Detective.

Sir Michael made his initial stage appearance in a production of Othello at the Gates Theatre in Dublin in 1962, and he was bestowed with knighthood in 1998 for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

He delivered a remarkable performance in the BBC’s 2015 adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy, and his illustrious theatrical career includes notable appearances in Alan Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests, The Life Of Galileo, and Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.

In 2016, he featured as Private Godfrey in the cinematic adaptation of Dad’s Army, and his filmography also encompasses period dramas such as The King’s Speech (2010), Gosford Park (2001), and Victoria & Abdul (2017).

Sir Michael’s talent was acknowledged by American awards, receiving Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Mr Woodhouse in the 2010 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, as well as his portrayal of former US president Lyndon B Johnson in Path To War in 2002.

His performance in David Hare’s play Skylight, which explores the aftermath of an affair, earned him a Tony nomination in 1997. Additionally, in 1990, he was honored with an Olivier Award for his comedic performance in the play Man Of The Moment at the Globe (now the Gielgud Theatre).

Gambon retired from the stage in 2015 due to difficulties in remembering his lines in front of an audience, attributed to his advancing age. He candidly expressed his struggle in an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, stating, “It’s a distressing admission, but I am unable to continue. It deeply saddens me.”

Comedian David Baddiel is among those expressing their admiration for Sir Michael Gambon, describing his theatrical performance as “the finest acting I have ever witnessed.”

Sharing his sentiments on X (formerly Twitter), Baddiel wrote, “The first time I attended a theatrical production of significance was in 1980, when I witnessed Michael Gambon’s portrayal of Galileo in Brecht’s Life Of Galileo at The National.”

In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Sir Michael was knighted in 1998.