Hollywood actor Sir Michael Gambon has passed away peacefully in the hospital at the age of 82, as confirmed by his family. He is most renowned for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore in several of the Harry Potter films.
Sir Michael’s acting journey spanned over six decades, and he was an original member of the Royal National Theatre alongside Laurence Olivier. In addition to his iconic role as Dumbledore, he also notably played French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and starred in the BBC series The Singing Detective.
A statement on behalf of Lady Gambon and his son Fergus Gambon expressed their devastation at the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. The statement revealed that he passed away peacefully in the hospital due to pneumonia, with his wife Anne and son Fergus by his side.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sir Michael received numerous awards and accolades, including Oliviers, BAFTAs, and Emmys. He made his acting debut in a production of Othello in Dublin in 1962 and later joined the National Theatre in London, performing on stages across the UK, New York, and Germany. Othello marked his film debut in 1965, and he appeared in beloved movies such as Gosford Park, Sleepy Hollow, and the Paddington films.
However, it was his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, taking over the role from Richard Harris in the franchise’s third installment, that introduced him to a wide and modern audience.