Stage and screen actor Michael Gambon has died at age 82, with fans and fellow actors alike sharing tributes to the late “Harry Potter” star and protégé of Laurence Olivier on social media.
Per an official statement from Gambon’s family, the Irish actor passed away peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” the statement read, adding that Gambon was a “beloved husband and father. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”
Gambon was recruited as a contemporary by Olivier to join the National Theatre Company in the 1960s. Later, Gambon was nominated 13 times for an Olivier Award, winning three times including for Arthur Miller’s 1988 play “A View From the Bridge.” Gambon also received a Tony nomination in 1997.
In 1988, Gambon was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. He retired from stage acting in 2015 due to memory loss issues.
For the screen, Gambon famously portrayed Dumbledore in six movies in the “Harry Potter” franchise after the passing of Richard Harris in 2002, and led the BBC series “The Singing Detective.” Other roles include “Gosford Park,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “The King’s Speech,” “Judy,” “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover,” and ’90s miniseries “Wives and Daughters.”
“Harry Potter” alum Daniel Radcliffe wrote in a statement to Variety, “With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun. Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket. The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. I’m so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him.”
Co-star Rupert Grint captioned, “So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family, Rupert.”
“Harry Potter” series creator JK Rowling tweeted in part, “Michael was a wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him.”
Gambon is remembered as “one of the funniest men on the planet and a great actor” by fellow actor Peter Egan. Former “Harry Potter” assistant director James Phelps shared a memory from set, with tributes from Jason Isaacs and Jared Harris. Richard E. Grant, meanwhile, called him “the great Gambon.”
See more tributes below.
