Michael Gambon the British-Irish actor, best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, died in hospital on Thursday at the age of 82, his family said.
During a decades-long acting career spanning television, film, radio, and theater, Gambon won four television BAFTAs and an Olivier award, culminating in his beloved performance as the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” a statement issued on behalf of his family said.
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”
Michael Gambon rose to prominence in the United Kingdom for his roles as a French investigator in the ITV series Maigret
Gambon, who was born in Ireland, began his distinguished acting career on stage in a production of “Othello” at the Gates Theatre in the Irish capital Dublin in 1962.
He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom for his roles as a French investigator in the ITV series Maigret and as Philip Marlow in scriptwriter Dennis Potter’s The Singing investigator in 1986.
He had a remarkable performance in the BBC adaptation of JK Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy” in 2015, and his stage credits include appearances in Alan Ayckbourn’s “The Norman Conquests,” “The Life Of Galileo,” and Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre productions of “Henry IV.”
Roles in period plays such as The King’s Speech (2010) and Gosford Park (2002).
However, he received worldwide renown for his portrayal of Dumbledore in the enormously successful Harry Potter films, beginning with 1997’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In 1998, Gambon was knighted for his contributions to the entertainment business.
