Michael Gambon has sadly passed away. The esteemed actor was 82.
A statement was released confirming his passing, saying that he died “peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”
The statement was issued by his publicist Clair Dobbs. Read it in full:
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
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 was 82.
We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”
Michael was known for his extensive catalog of work across film, TV, and radio. Among his most well-known roles was as the psoriasis-ridden sleuth in the 1980s hit series “The Singing Detective.”
He was best known and beloved for his magnificent portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in most of the Harry Potter films.
Following his passing, the cast of Harry Potter have paid tribute to their talented late co-star and friend.
Daniel Radcliffe:
“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun. 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 was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket.
The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. 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.”
Emma Watson:
“Kind kind kind Michael Gambon. You never took it too seriously but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly. We will miss you. Xx.”
Rupert Grint:
“So sad to hear about Michael. 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.”
Jason Isaacs:
“Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective — complex, vulnerable and utterly human.
The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filth sense of fun with me.”
Bonnie Wright:
“ I was forever in awe of Michael’s presence and performance. His deep mischievous voice between scenes would vibrate through the Great Hall. He was Dumbledore through and through a constant, warm and guiding figure. Rest in peace Michael. Sending love to your family ❤️”
James Phelps:
“Whilst shooting HP6 I worked on the AD department for the whole shoot (apart from the days I was acting). 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.”
One day we were shooting Dumbledore’s final clock tower scene, obviously quite an intense scene. 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. ‘Do you have the script with you?’ He asked, I did, ‘I’ve done that, let’s go through it and if you like I can give some notes.’ So we spent what should have been his downtime going over my weekend gig. It is a memory I’ve always had as one of the highlights of my HP days.”
Fiona Shaw:
“I will think of him as a trickster, just brilliant, magnificent trickster. There was nothing like him, he could do anything.”
Stanislav Ianevski:
“I am very sad to hear that we’ve lost another legend. Sir Michael Gambon. I am grateful to have shared the same set with you and will treasure all the great memories, laughter and lessons forever. R.I.P.”
Warwick Davis:
“Myself and my family had the pleasure of knowing and working with Michael Gambon. As well as being a mesmerising storyteller, he was an actor with gravitas and good humour in equal measure.”
The official Harry Potter social media account wrote:
“We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humor, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts.”
Thank you, Sir Michael Gambon. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones.
