28-09-23 | Noted Irish actor Sir Michael Gambon has passed away today, aged 82. To modern audiences he was primarily know for portraying Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. Beyond the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Gambon was a formidable performer on stage and screen, working tirelessly right up until the end of his life. Like many players of his generation he cut his teeth appearing in Shakespeare revivals, which led to him being recruited by the National Theatre.
Gambon combined stage work with countless supporting appearances in British films and television productions. BBC TV’s The Singing Detective made him a household name in 1986, later eclipsed by his appearances in the Harry Potter franchise. He took over the role of Dumbledore after the sudden demise of Richard Harris. Gambon is now considered to be the definitive Dumbledore, a role he embraced but gladly poked fun at when appearing on chat shows.
In 2015 Gambon announced that he was distancing himself from stage work, being unable to remember lines as well as he used to in his prime. By the end of his life, Michael Gambon had won four Olivier Awards, three BAFTAs (including one for The Singing Detective) and was knighted by the Queen in 1998. He died of pneumonia, leaving behind an incredible body of work.