Michael Gambon, the renowned Irish actor celebrated for portraying Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, has passed away at 82 due to complications from pneumonia, according to a statement from his family.
Born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin, Gambon began his acting career in the early '60s, originally focusing on stage performances. He later moved to television and film, earning accolades for roles in Peter Greenaway's 1989 film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, and as King George V in 2010's The King’s Speech.
Michael Gambon has sadly passed away at the age of 82. pic.twitter.com/zExzx6YHPF
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 28, 2023
Yet, it was his portrayal of the wise and benevolent Dumbledore, beginning with the series' third installment, that endeared him to a global audience. Gambon took over the role in 2004, following the death of Richard Harris. Modest about his acclaimed performance, he once quipped that he was merely playing himself "with a stuck-on beard and a long robe."
Gambon was a multifaceted talent who won four BAFTAs, three Olivier Awards, and two ensemble cast Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1992 and was knighted for his services to drama in 1998.
Aside from his achievements, Gambon was known for his playful personality, often concocting humorous stories. He once joked on The Late Late Show that he convinced his mother he was friends with the Pope.
The actor retired from stage work in 2015 due to long-term memory issues but continued to act on screen until 2019. His body of work and impact on both stage and screen will long be remembered. As he told an interviewer in 2002, his work made him feel like "the luckiest man in the world," and surely, audiences worldwide felt lucky to have witnessed his talent.
Source: Twitter/X