Irish-English actor Michael Gambon, who was most famous for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films died on Wednesday at 82 after suffering from pneumonia.
Gambon first appeared as the Hogwarts' headmaster in the third film in the franchise, 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, following the death of his predecessor Richard Harris, who died in 2002.
Gambon's death was announced on Thursday on behalf of his beloved wife and son.
In a statement obtained by Variety , Gambon's family confirmed:
"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.”
Raising our wands for Michael Gambon. \ud83e\ude84— Potterhead Posts (@Potterhead Posts) 1695902424
His Harry Potter costars paid poignant tributes to their late friend and colleague starting with Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character in all eight movie installments in the fantasy series based on the books by author J.K. Rowling.
Radcliffe shared withEntertainment Weekly what Gambon was like as an individual outside of acting.
"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 continued:
"He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it."
Radcliffe recalled being close with Gambon most while working on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
"The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael."
"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."
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, shared the impact Gambon had on him as an actor.
"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, filthy sense of fun with me."
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, filthy sense of fun with me.— Jason Isaacs (@Jason Isaacs) 1695906104
Bulgarian actor Stanislav Yanevski, who played Viktor Krum in 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, penned a heartfelt message on his Instagram story, expressing that he'll "treasure all the great memories, laughter and lessons forever."
@stan_yanevski/Instagram
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the film series, shared a favorite on-set memory of working with Gambon, whom he called a "legend" on and off camera.
@James_Phelps/X
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the films, also paid tribute on Instagram, remarking:
"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, Rupert."
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Fiona Shaw, who brilliantly portrayed Aunt Petunia Dursley, told BBC Radio 4 she will think of Gambon as "a trickster, just brilliant, magnificent trickster," adding:
"There was nothing like him, he could do anything."
Fans joined the actors in memorializing the beloved actor.
@jasonsfolly Sad to hear about Michael Gambon, a tremendous actor, particularly in The Singing Detective, but also superb in Maigret and his other roles. A great loss.— \ud83c\udf31Helen (@\ud83c\udf31Helen) 1695912286
@James_Phelps He had a wonderful bent to his acting, an unmistakable style. He played villains perfectly and with panache. Great actor. RIP.— ZOOT (@ZOOT) 1695906439
@PotterheadPosts Thank you, Michael Gambon, for bringing magic into our lives. Raise your wands high, Potterheads.— Whitney Grenaway (@Whitney Grenaway) 1695905601
@PotterheadPosts He was such a great actor with a sweet soul. RIP Michael \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f\ud83d\udc94— Eniola \u2764\ufe0f\ud83e\udd85 (@Eniola \u2764\ufe0f\ud83e\udd85) 1695912934
@PotterheadPosts I'm Japanese and just listened this news! I am very shocked...Thank you for playing Dumbledore. When I was a teenager, as hard life as my Harry was, I always applied your words, your eyes and your warmth towards him to myself. You are truly a big part of my life!Rest in peace\ud83d\ude16— Lula (@Lula) 1695906585
@PotterheadPosts \ud83d\udc94— LibertyCanisLupus - CaffeinatedWolfe \u2615\ufe0f (@LibertyCanisLupus - CaffeinatedWolfe \u2615\ufe0f) 1695912690
@PotterheadPosts "To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."— AWall (@AWall) 1695943261
@PotterheadPosts \ud83e\ude84 thank you for all the memories, professor.— meaningless (@meaningless) 1695907566
@PotterheadPosts \ud83e\ude84\n"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light."— Kathryn O'Donnell \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@Kathryn O'Donnell \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7) 1695906285
@PotterheadPosts I was crying the whole time watching Dumbledore's death scene. I can't stop my tears anymore\ud83d\ude22— Furkan Er (@Furkan Er) 1695914605
@PotterheadPosts Some Legends die twice— K zum W (@K zum W) 1695905363
@PotterheadPosts Some characters are not just characters \ud83d\udc94— Khushi (@Khushi) 1695908041
Also joining the fans and costars was J.K. Rowling, who penned a heartfelt tribute to Gambon on X.
Gambon started his acting career as an original member of the Royal National Theatre with Laurence Olivier as his mentor and the company's first artistic director.
Gambon's theatrical performances included many works of William Shakespeare like Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Coriolanus.
He made his Broadway debut in 1997 in David Hare's Skylight, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
@PotterheadPosts "Like a heartbeat. Something inside me. Some dream. I think it's being a dreamer as a child. Dreamy kids become actors, don't they?"\n\nRest in peace #MichaelGambon— carmen (@carmen) 1695937844
In 1965, he made his film debut in Othello and continued working in numerous other movies including Gosford Park, The King’s Speech, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle as well as the Wes Anderson films The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Gambon was the recipient of three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards.
He will forever be remembered by friends and colleagues for his inspiration and sense of humor.
@PotterheadPosts— \u062d\u0645\u0651\u0648 (@\u062d\u0645\u0651\u0648) 1695937361
Rest in peace, Michael.