{"id":38972,"date":"2023-09-28T13:36:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T13:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miamiheatnation.com\/?p=38972"},"modified":"2023-09-28T13:36:07","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T13:36:07","slug":"actor-michael-gambon-dumbledore-in-harry-potter-films-dies-at-age-82","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miamiheatnation.com\/world-news\/actor-michael-gambon-dumbledore-in-harry-potter-films-dies-at-age-82\/","title":{"rendered":"Actor Michael Gambon, Dumbledore in Harry Potter films, dies at age 82"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONDON — Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was known to many for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight \u201cHarry Potter\u201d films, has died, his publicist said Thursday. He was 82.<\/p>\n

A statement by his family, issued by his publicist, said he died following \u201ca bout of pneumonia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d his family said.<\/p>\n

No matter what role he took on in a career that lasted more than five decades, Gambon was always instantly recognizable by the deep and drawling tones of his voice. He was cast as the much-loved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002.<\/p>\n

He once acknowledged not having read any of J. K. Rowling\u2019s best-selling books, arguing that it was safer to follow the script rather than be too influenced by the books. That didn\u2019t prevent him from embodying the spirit of Professor Dumbledore, the powerful wizard who fought against evil to protect his students.<\/p>\n

Although the Potter role raised Gambon\u2019s international profile and introduced him to a new generation of fans, he had long been recognized as one of Britain\u2019s leading actors. His work spanned TV, theater and radio, and he starred in dozens of films from \u201cGosford Park\u201d to \u201cThe King\u2019s Speech\u201d and the animated family movie \u201cPaddington.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gambon was knighted for services to drama in 1998.<\/p>\n

Born in Ireland on Oct. 19, 1940, Gambon was raised in London and originally trained as an engineer, following in the footsteps of his father. He made his theater debut in a production of \u201cOthello\u201d in Dublin.<\/p>\n

In 1963 he got his first big break with a minor role in \u201cHamlet,\u201d the National Theatre Company\u2019s opening production, under the directorship of the legendary Laurence Olivier.<\/p>\n

Gambon soon became a distinguished stage actor and received critical acclaim for his leading performance in \u201cLife of Galileo\u201d directed by John Dexter. He was frequently nominated for awards and won the Laurence Olivier award 3 times and the Critics\u2019 Circle Theatre Awards twice.<\/p>\n

A multi-talented actor, Gambon was also the recipient of four coveted British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards for his television work.<\/p>\n

He became a household name in Britain after his lead role in the 1986 BBC series \u201cThe Singing Detective,\u201d written by Dennis Potter and considered a classic of British television drama. Gambon won the BAFTA for best actor for the role.<\/p>\n

Gambon was versatile as an actor but once told the BBC of his preference for playing \u201cvillainous characters.\u201d He played gangster Eddie Temple in the British crime thriller \u201cLayer Cake\u201d — a review of the film by the New York Times referred to Gambon as \u201creliably excellent\u201d \u2014 and a Satanic crime boss in Peter Greenaway\u2019s \u201cThe Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also had a part as King George V in the 2010 drama film \u201cThe King\u2019s Speech.\u201d In 2015 he returned to the works of J.K. Rowling, taking a leading role in the TV adaptation of her book \u201cThe Casual Vacancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gambon retired from the stage in 2015 after struggling to remember his lines in front of an audience due to his advancing age. He once told the Sunday Times Magazine: \u201cIt\u2019s a horrible thing to admit, but I can\u2019t do it. It breaks my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

The actor was always protective when it came to his private life. He married Anne Miller and they had one son, Fergus. He later had two sons with set designer Philippa Hart.<\/p>\n

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