Sir Michael Gambon, best known for his role of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, died on September 27, 2023, after coming down with pneumonia. He died in the hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus present. He was 82 years old.
Michael, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1940, leaves behind a wonderful legacy in film, theater, and television. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his contributions to the arts. He was one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre. His Harry Potter costars took to social media to honor him when the news of his death broke.
"We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon," read the official statement posted on the Harry Potter social media accounts. "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."
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasely, recalled a special memory he had of Michael. "Whilst shooting HP6 I worked on the AD department for the whole shoot (apart from the days I was acting)," he began. "And for that reason I spent many hours with Michael during the shoot. He was always very funny and very welcoming to share any knowledge he had."
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“One day we were shooting Dumbledore's final clock tower scene, obviously quite an intense scene,” James continued. “In between set ups, Michael asked what I was up to that weekend. As it happened my brother and I were reading Peter and the Wolf with the Manchester Halle orchestra." Michael was familiar with the text and offered to go over it with James. This was an offer James could not refuse and one of his favorite memories of Michael.
Michael was the second actor to tackle the role of Dumbledore. In the first two Harry Potter films the role was played by Richard Harris until he died in October 2002. Richard’s son Jared remembered Michael on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Hilarious! A brilliant actor,” he wrote. "I saw him on stage several times, and he lives unforgettably in my memory. He took over Dumbledore from my father, which was fitting as he over took Brando as my father's favourite actor."
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Michael. "So sad to hear about Michael," he wrote. "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."
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling took to X to express her grief. "I've just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon,” she began. “The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you'd told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I'd written, I'd have thought you were insane. Michael was a wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael's family and everyone who loved him."
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter himself, released a long statement about Michael’s passing. It is clear he looked up to the actor and immensely enjoyed working with him. "With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun," he began.
"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 continued. "He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it.”
He ended his statement by saying: "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."
With the passing of Michael, Dumbledore's words on death take on a whole new meaning. “It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more,” Dumbledore states in The Half-Blood Prince. “Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living and above all, those who live without love,” he says at the end of the series.
Michael’s spirit will live on in the great body of work he leaves behind. It is magical, after all.
