Michael Gambon, the decorated Irish actor best known for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films, has died. He was 82.
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," his family shared in a statement. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia."
They added, "We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."
Gambon overtook the role of the Hogwarts headmaster following the death of Richard Harris in 2002, first appearing in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He continued on in the role through the end of the film series, which wrapped up in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
The actor was born in Dublin on October 19, 1940, and became a household name in Britain for playing the lead role in the 1986 BBC drama The Singing Detective. Gambon had over 150 film and TV credits to his name, including parts in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), as well as the elderly King George V in 2010's The King Speech and Lord Salisbury in Victoria & Abdul (2017).
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," his family shared in a statement. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia."
They added, "We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."
Gambon overtook the role of the Hogwarts headmaster following the death of Richard Harris in 2002, first appearing in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He continued on in the role through the end of the film series, which wrapped up in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
The actor was born in Dublin on October 19, 1940, and became a household name in Britain for playing the lead role in the 1986 BBC drama The Singing Detective. Gambon had over 150 film and TV credits to his name, including parts in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), as well as the elderly King George V in 2010's The King Speech and Lord Salisbury in Victoria & Abdul (2017).