Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82, with his family confirming on September 28 that the star of Harry Potter had passed away ‘peacefully’ in hospital. Today (September 29), West End theatres will dim their lights in his honour.
He was adored by many for his role as Albus Dumbledore’, headmaster of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies from The Prisoner Of Azkaban onwards; though he also starred in many classic films, which include Gosford Park (2001) and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, And Her Lover (1989).
Michael Gambon’s career spanned more than 60 years, and he starred on the stage as well the screen; being one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre alongside the likes of Laurence Olivier. He also starred in several TV series, including The Singing Detective on the BBC and the eponymous detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret.
Today (September 29), theatres across London’s West End will dim their lights to recognise the actor’s contribution to the world of acting. Hannah Essex, part of the Society of London Theatre said that Gambon’s death meant that theatre had “lost an incredible talent” and that his impact was “immeasurable”.
The actor was born in Dublin in 1940, and has racked up awards including three Oliver Awards and four BAFTAs. He was knighted for his services to acting by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.
Sir Michael Gambon is survived by his wife and son, and a statement from the late actor’s family said: “We are devasted to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia”.
Gambon joined the cast of Harry Potter on its third outing, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), replacing Richard Harris who played Dumbledore in the first two movies but sadly passed away in 2002. Michael Gambon played the effervescent professor all the way up until the eighth movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part. 2 (2011), which is when the film series came to a close.
More recently, the actor starred in HBO drama Fortitude; Judy (2019), a biopic on Judy Garland; and Luck, a horse-racing show which also starred Dustin Hoffman.
Sir Michael Gambon, October 19, 1940 – September 27, 2023.