Current:Home > NewsActor Michael Gambon, who played Harry Potter's Dumbledore, dies at 82 -SecurePath Capital
Actor Michael Gambon, who played Harry Potter's Dumbledore, dies at 82
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-10 21:26:08
British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, who played the wizard Albus Dumbledore in the six later "Harry Potter" movies, has died at the age of 82, his agency confirmed to CBS News on Thursday.
In a statement issued on behalf of his wife Lady Anne Gambon and his son Fergus, publicist Clair Dobbs said the family was "devastated to announce the loss," and added that the "beloved husband and father" had died peacefully in a hospital with his wife and son by his side following a bout of pneumonia.
Gambon was awarded four U.K. television BAFTAs during his decades-long acting career, which saw him take staring roles across television, movies, radio and on the stage.
It was his role as the head of the Hogwarts school for witches and wizards in the Harry Potter franchise, however, that made him a familiar face to more recent generations. He succeeded actor Richard Harris in the role, who died in 2002 after portraying Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies.
He once acknowledged not having read any of J. K. Rowling's best-selling books, arguing that it was safer to follow the script rather than be too influenced by the Harry Potter stories in print. That didn't prevent him from embodying the spirit of Professor Dumbledore, the powerful wizard who fought against evil to protect his students.
Although the Potter role raised Gambon's international profile and introduced him to a new generation of fans, he had long been recognized as one of Britain's leading actors. His work spanned TV, theater and radio, and he starred in dozens of films from "Gosford Park" to "The King's Speech" and the animated family movie "Paddington."
Gambon was knighted for services to drama in 1998, becoming Sir Michael Gambon.
- In:
- Hollywood
- Actor Death
- Harry Potter
- Obituary
veryGood! (78)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Tom Brady's broadcast debut draws mixed reviews. Here's reactions from NFL fans
- Tom Brady's broadcast debut draws mixed reviews. Here's reactions from NFL fans
- 2 charged in plot to solicit attacks on minorities, officials and infrastructure on Telegram
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Dairy Queen offers limited-time BOGO deal on Blizzards: How to redeem the offer
- As summer winds down, dogs around the country make a splash: See pictures of doggy dip days
- Lions defeat Rams in overtime: Highlights, stats from Sunday Night Football
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Police say a Russian ‘spy whale’ in Norway wasn’t shot to death
Ranking
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Texas is real No. 1? Notre Dame out of playoff? Five college football Week 2 overreactions
- As a Curvy Girl, I’ve Tried Hundreds of Leggings and These Are the Absolute Best for Thick Thighs
- Selena Gomez Reacts to Benny Blanco Engagement Rumors
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Is soy milk good for you? What you need to know about this protein-rich, plant-based milk.
- Two workers die after being trapped inside a South Dakota farm silo
- Granola is healthier than you might think, but moderation is still key
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Department of Justice sues Maine for treatment of children with behavioral health disabilities
2025 Hyundai Tucson adds comfort, safety features for babies and pet passengers
I'm a retired Kansas grocer. Big-box dollar stores moved into town and killed my business.
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Lions defeat Rams in overtime: Highlights, stats from Sunday Night Football
The Latest: Harris and Trump are prepping for the debate but their strategies are vastly different
Calais Campbell says he was handcuffed, trying to defuse Tyreek Hill detainment