Beloved actor Sir Michael Gambon has passed away at the age of 82. He was best known for playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films.
His widow Lady Gambon and son Fergus said their “beloved husband and father” died peacefully in hospital with his family by his side, following a bout of pneumonia.
Sir Michael took on the role of Dumbledore – headmaster of wizarding school Hogwarts – in the hit Harry Potter series, based on JK Rowling’s novels, after the death of Richard Harris in 2003.
Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the films, told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “He varied his career remarkably and never judged what he was doing, he just played.”
She said she would always think of him “as a trickster, just a brilliant, magnificent trickster”, adding: “With text, there was nothing like him. He could do anything.”
Dame Eileen Atkins, a longstanding friend of Sir Michael, said he was “a great actor, but he always pretended he didn’t take it very seriously” and that he had amazing stage presence. “He just had to walk on stage and he commanded the whole audience immediately,” she said. “There was something very sweet about him, this huge man who could look very frightening – but there was something incredibly sweet inside Michael.”
She added: “I will always remember that man.”
Harry Potter fans everywhere will always have a place in their hearts for Sir Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. He definitely left a mark on this fandom. Prayers to the family.
Info from BBC
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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