Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was known to many for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, has died. He was 82 years old.
His widow Lady Gambon and son Fergus said their “beloved husband and father” died peacefully with his family by his side after suffering from pneumonia.
Sir Michael, who was born in Dublin, worked in TV, film, theatre, and radio over his five-decade career. He had won four Baftas.
As well as his starring role in Harry Potter, based on the JK Rowling novels, Sir Michael played French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret. He is also known for his role as Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective on the BBC.
He began his career as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre in London and went on to star in a number of Shakespeare plays.
Gambon retired from the stage in 2015 after struggling to remember his lines in front of an audience due to his advancing age. He once told the Sunday Times Magazine: “It’s a horrible thing to admit, but I can’t do it. It breaks my heart.”
The actor was always protective when it came to his private life. He married Anne Miller and they had one son, Fergus. He later had two sons with set designer Philippa Hart.
No matter what role he took on in a career that lasted more than five decades, Gambon was always instantly recognizable by the deep and drawling tones of his voice. He was cast as the much-loved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002.
