29-9-2023 (LONDON) The passing of Sir Michael Gambon, renowned stage and screen actor, at the age of 82 has left his Harry Potter co-stars and the entertainment industry in mourning. Best known for his role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films, Gambon was praised for his talent, versatility, and his ability to bring greatness to his craft while still remaining humble.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the iconic character Harry Potter, described Gambon as a “brilliant, effortless” actor who loved his job but never let it define him. Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione Granger, expressed her gratitude to Sir Michael for showing them how to wear greatness lightly.
JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, hailed Gambon as a “wonderful man” and an “outstanding actor.” Fiona Shaw, who played Harry Potter’s aunt Petunia Dursley, praised Gambon’s ability to excel in any role, stating that he had proven throughout his extensive career that he “could do anything” as an actor.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Gambon’s family moved to London when he was a child. He began his acting career with a performance in Othello in Dublin in 1962. His breakthrough came when he became one of the founding members of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre acting company in London. He went on to win three Olivier Awards for his performances in National Theatre productions.
Although Gambon considered his theatre work to be the most important, he also garnered acclaim for his roles in television and film during the 1980s and 1990s. Notably, he starred in the groundbreaking BBC One drama “The Singing Detective” and portrayed Parisian detective Jules Maigret in an ITV adaptation of Georges Simenon’s novels.
Gambon’s memorable film roles included the gluttonous thief in “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover” (1989) and appearances in films such as “Toys,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and “Gosford Park.” He even made a comedic cameo as the prime minister in “Ali G Indahouse.”
In 2002, Gambon took on the role of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series after the death of Richard Harris. JK Rowling reflected on their collaboration, expressing her initial disbelief that such a brilliant actor she had admired in “King Lear” (1982) would appear in her work. She described Gambon as a wonderful man and expressed her enjoyment of working with him not only on Harry Potter but also on “The Casual Vacancy.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who worked closely with Gambon throughout his teenage years, praised his talent and described his ability to blur the lines between fact and fiction when speaking to journalists. Emma Watson highlighted Gambon’s ability to deliver serious moments with gravitas while not taking himself too seriously.
Other Harry Potter co-stars, including Rupert Grint, Jason Isaacs, and Fiona Shaw, also paid tribute to Gambon, describing him as a personal role model, a fearless and funny friend, and a brilliant trickster on stage.
Sir Michael Gambon’s contributions to the entertainment industry extended beyond the Harry Potter series. He received Emmy nominations for his roles in “Emma” (2010) and “Path to War” (2002), and a Tony nomination for his performance in David Hare’s play “Skylight” (1997). He was knighted in 1998 for his services to the entertainment industry.
Gambon’s last stage appearance was in a 2012 London production of Samuel Beckett’s play “All That Fall.” His legacy as an actor and his ability to captivate audiences will be remembered by his co-stars, friends, and fans worldwide.
