Sir Michael Gambon, aged 82, has passed away, and tributes are pouring in for the legendary actor. His family announced his demise on Thursday, attributing it to pneumonia. Surrounded by loved ones, he left the world peacefully.
Among the first to pay their respects was the Harry Potter account on X, formerly known as Twitter, recognizing Sir Michael’s iconic portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the franchise’s eight films. The account posted: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. His humor, kindness, and grace brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans worldwide. His memory will forever live in our hearts.”
In a recent tradition following the passing of Harry Potter actors, fans are encouraged to raise their wands in honour of Sir Michael’s memory. James Phelps, known for his role as Fred Weasley, fondly remembered Sir Michael as “very funny” and “very welcoming.” He recalled a moment during the filming of the sixth movie when Sir Michael offered him notes on another project.
Fiona Shaw, who portrayed Petunia Dursley, described Sir Michael as a “brilliant, magnificent trickster” and shared his deep commitment to acting, despite his playful demeanor.
Jeremy Clarkson, the broadcaster, reminisced about the Top Gear episode in which they named a corner of the test track after Sir Michael. He wrote, “I’m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died. He was hugely amusing and such a tremendous guest, we even named a corner after him.” This happened when Sir Michael participated in the show’s “Star In A Reasonably Priced Car” segment and nearly flipped the vehicle on the last corner.
Dame Eileen Atkins, who acted alongside Sir Michael in the revival of Samuel Beckett’s “All That Fall,” praised his stage presence and described him as “very sweet.”
Dame Joan Collins, who worked with Sir Michael in the BBC sitcom “Mama’s Back” in 1993, remembered him as a “great” and “wonderful” actor who brought joy to their work together.
Jason Isaacs, another actor from the Potter series, highlighted Sir Michael’s performance in the BBC series “The Singing Detective” and praised his complex and human portrayal. He also shared his personal experiences with Sir Michael.
Comedian David Baddiel recalled seeing Sir Michael’s stage performance in Brecht’s “Life Of Galileo” at The National in 1980 and described it as “the best stage acting” he had ever witnessed.
Blake Harrison, who worked with Sir Michael on a Dad’s Army reboot, praised him as “the funniest actor” he had ever worked with, cherishing their lunchtime conversations.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar acknowledged Sir Michael as a great actor who gave his all to every performance, citing his notable roles in Beckett, Potter, and The Singing Detective series.
No one accepted an award quite like Michael Gambon
RIP Sir Michael Gambon. No one accepted an award quite like him. pic.twitter.com/EY07VrtAyi
— Pip (@pipmadeley) September 28, 2023
Michael Gambon in 5 minutes
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