Sir Michael Gambon, the actor known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise among many other roles, has passed away at the age of 82.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” a statement from Gambon’s publicist reads (via NPR). “Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of Pneumonia.”
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in October 1940, Gambon’s acting career began on the stage. His first professional performance was a 1962 production of William Shakespeare’s Othello. He was later hired by Laurence Olivier’s National Theater Company and then went on to star in a number of additional Shakespeare plays, including Hamlet and Macbeth. He won three Olivier Awards throughout his career and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1997.
Gambon’s feature film debut also happened to be Othello, released in 1965 and directed by Olivier. He continued acting throughout the 1970s and 1980s, eventually starring in films such as 1999’s The Insider, 1999’s Sleepy Hollow, 2003’s Open Range, and 2004’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, among many others.
Gambon took over the role of Albus Dumbledore after Richard Harris, who played the character in the first two Harry Potter films, passed away in 2002. Following his first performance as Dumbledore in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gambon continued to reprise the role for the remainder of the franchise, the final installment being 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part II.
He continued acting in his later years, appearing in movies such as 2010’s The King’s Speech, 2016’s Hail, Caesar!, and 2019’s Judy. He also voiced Uncle Pastuzo in the Paddington movies.
In 1998, Gambon was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He acted in television as well, earning two Emmy nominations for his performances in 2002’s Path to War and 2009’s Emma.
ComingSoon sends condolences to Gambon’s friends and family at this time.
