Harry Potter actor Sir Michael Gambon dies aged 82 - Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe pays tribute

Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died aged 82. 

The actor, who is best known for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore in several Harry Potter films, passed away peacefully in hospital, according to his family. 

A statement from Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon read: "We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

"Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia."

The actor was known for his impressive career both on stage and on screen, earning him three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards. 

As well as his iconic role in Harry Potter, Michael also starred in the ITV series Maigret and the BBC series, The Singing Detective.

Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the actor. One person wrote on X: "Michael Gambon was one of the greats. Travel well sir and thank you for the decades of joy and entertainment."

A second person added: "Raise your wand for Michael Gambon. Rest in peace Sir."

Singer Katherine Jenkins took to Instagram with a sweet photo of her and Michael. Reminiscing about working with the actor, she penned in the caption: "My dear Kazran! My first acting role was opposite Sir Michael Gambon in the Doctor Who Christmas Special. He couldn’t have been kinder, calmer and more supportive. Today we have lost the loveliest of legends."

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson shared a tribute to the late actor on X, writing: "I'm so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died. He was hugely amusing, and such a tremendous guest, we even named a corner after him."

Comedian and presenter David Baddiel shared his experience watching Michael perform on stage. 

"First time I ever went to see any Theatre with a capital T it was Michael Gambon in Brecht’s Life Of Galileo at The National in 1980," he wrote, adding: "It’s still the best stage acting I’ve ever seen. RIP."

Harry Potter Film and the Wizarding World shared a statement following the announcement of Michael's death. Alongside a black-and-white photo of the actor, the caption read: "We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts."

Michael Gambon was born on 19 October 1940 in the Cabra suburb of Dublin, Ireland, to his seamstress mother, Mary, and father Edward, who worked as an engineering operative during the Second World War.

The actor made his stage debut in a production of Othello at the Gates Theatre, Dublin in 1962. From there, he went on to appear in various Shakespeare productions and was nominated for thirteen Olivier Awards, winning three times for his roles in A Chorus of Disapproval (1985), A View from the Bridge (1987), and Man of the Moment (1990).

© Alastair Muir/Shutterstock

Some of Michael's memorable TV performances include his portrayal of Jules Maigret in the ITV detective series Maigret, and as Philip Marlow in the BBC's mystery series, The Singing Detective in 1986. 

He also played Mr Woodhouse in the BBC's Jane Austen adaptation, Emma, and the former US president Lyndon B Johnson in 2002's Path To War. He also starred in Cranford, Perfect Strangers and Wives and Daughters, for which he received his second BAFTA win for Best Actor. 

© Moviestore/Shutterstock

As for his big screen roles, Michael was perhaps best known for playing Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films. Other notable film credits include The King's Speech, Gosford Park, and Victoria & Abdul.

James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films, took to X to share memories from his time working with Michael on set. 

"Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend. Just a little memory of Michael," he wrote, adding a screenshot detailing one particular filming experience. 

Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films, said Michael was "a magnificent trickster" in an interview with BBC Radio 4. 

"I will remember him because he was also a gun maker, he could make guns, he always said he could fool the V&A into believing that they were 18th-century guns.

© Dave Benett

"So I will think of him as a trickster, just brilliant, magnificent trickster, but with text, there was nothing like him, he could do anything."

Recalling a memorable conversation with Michael, she said: "He did once say to me in a car 'I know I go on a lot about this and that, but actually in the end, there is only acting'. I think he was always pretending that he didn’t take it seriously, but he took it profoundly seriously, I think."

Doctor Who's official X account responded to Michael's death with a tribute. 

Michael appeared in the show's 2010 Christmas special in the role of Kazran Sardick.

"We're sad to report the passing of Sir Michael Gambon, who appeared in 'A Christmas Carol' in 2010," the post read.

Actor Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter, wrote on X: "Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective - complex, vulnerable and utterly human.

"The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me.

© Sky

Actor Ralph Fiennes, who played the iconic Harry Potter villain Lord Voldemort, shared a moving tribute on Instagram. Alongside black-and-white photos of the pair, he wrote: "We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts."

Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to her late friend and co-star during an interview with the BBC. "He was incredibly funny. He had this natural Irish sense of humour. Naughty but very, very funny," she said. 

"He was enormously self-deprecating and at the same time an instinctive actor and a wonderful person to be around in general. He kept me constantly in laughter."

© William Conran - PA Images

The two actors played opposite one another in the Shakespeare play Antony and Cleopatra, and also starred together in the 1989 film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

Helen added: "An extraordinary actor, an extraordinary contribution to the British landscape of theatre. An enormously important person within that landscape and we will all miss him a lot."

Dame Joan Collins reacted to Michael's passing on Facebook. "So sorry to hear of the death of the wonderful actor Michael Gambon," she wrote. "We played husband and wife in Ruby Wax’s pilot called ‘Mama’s Back’. A great actor and great fun."

© Getty Images

Veteran actress Dame Eileen Atkins spoke about her fondness for the actor as she spoke on. BBC Radio 4's The World at One. She joked that he was "a great actor, but he always pretended he didn't take it very seriously," before adding: "He just had to walk on stage and he commanded the whole audience immediately. There was something very sweet about him, this huge man who could look very frightening - but there was something incredibly sweet inside Michael."

The duo had been friends for years and had even acted together in the Samuel Beckett play All That Fall.

© Robbie Jack

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, moved fans to tears as he shared a tribute to the late actor. Alongside a photo of Michael in his role as Dumbledore, he wrote: "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."

This will conclude the live coverage of tributes, and it's clear that the actor was well-loved and respected given the moving words that have been shared. We hope that Sir Michael rests in peace.

Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to the legendary actor, sharing a lengthy message in a statement to Variety. " With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun," the Harry Potter star said. "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."

He concluded: "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."