Sir Michael John Gambon CBE, the Irish-English actor who has lived as Professor Albus Dumbledore in “Harry Potter” film series and has been universally acclaimed for his work, died at the age of 82 on September 28, 2023 Wednesday night.
The family announced the actor’s demise to the world through a statement released by a Public Relations company on Thursday. The statement says “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 Gambon was universally very well- known for his character “Professor Albus Dumbledore – The Hogwarts Headmaster” in Harry Potter film series. Gambon on “Harry Potter” once said “There’s no subtext in ‘Harry Potter,’ really; it’s all magic – anything can happen. Why do I say this? Because it’s a magic spell. It’s quite nice in a way. There is a real freedom to it. Doesn’t say much for acting, does it?”
He spoke about his character “Dumbledore” and said “I’ve played quite a lot of crooks and killers, and that’s quite interesting. Then Dumbledore is the complete opposite, isn’t he? He’s a nice old man”.He added later “Maybe that is why kids like Dumbledore: because he is funny rather than a miserable old sod with a long white beard”. Well we definitely will always be in love with this funny nice old man with long white beard.
Remembering Michael, Daniel Radcliff in a press event said “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 added “He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it.”
Emma Watson stated on social media “Truly and utterly heartbreaking, I’m so glad he always knew how loved and appreciated he was by everybody. Rest in peace”.
Rupert Grint referred Michael as his “personal role model” and said he “brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set”.
Fiona Shaw remembered Michael Gambon and shared “He varied his career remarkably and never judged what he was doing, he just played.” She mentioned that she would always think of him “as a trickster, just a brilliant, magnificent trickster”. She further shared “there was nothing like him. He could do anything”.
Jason Isaacs quoted on social media: “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”.
The West End Theatres will dim the lights in honor of the great Sir Michael Gambon as announced by The Society of London Theatre.
Theatre had a deep rooted special place in Michael’s heart. Michael once said “The theatre starts every night at half past seven, and I like the rhythm of going to the theatre, parking the car, going to the stage door; I’ve grown up with all of that. I’d love to do more theatre – I mean, I shouldn’t be telling the world that I can’t remember lines any more, but I find it more and more difficult, so I don’t know.”
Michael debuted with the film Othello in 1965 and has appeared in many other such productions based on masterpieces by William Shakespeare such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and Coriolanus. Michael made his mark on the The Irish Times’ list of Ireland’s greatest film actors honoring at 27th position.
“The Great Gambon”, as called by Ralph Richardson after Mr. Gambon’s performance in Brecht’s “Life of Galileo” at London’s National Theater in 1980, has earned three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Michael Gambon, in 1998, for his exceptional and remarkable contribution to Drama.
JK Rowling sharing Michael Gambon’s first impression on him said “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.
JK Rowling paid his tribute adding “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.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Irish prime minister) paid tribute to Sir Michael Gambon on social media referring him as : “A great actor”. “Whether performing in Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all to every performance.”
Sir Michael Gambon, the Hogwarts Headmaster “Dumbledore” will always remain in the heart of history forever and ever.
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