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28th Sep 2023

Michael Gambon, Irish Harry Potter star, has died aged 82

Joseph Loftus

Michael Gambon RIP

The legendary actor died peacefully in hospital

Michael Gambon, the legendary Irish actor known for portraying Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, has died.

The legend of cinema, television, and theatre, died peacefully in hospital aged 82, reports Sky News.

Over his six-decade-long career Gambon received three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards. In 1999 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama.

Born in Cabra, Dublin in 1940, Gambon moved to London with his parents at the age 6.

The actor made his professional stage debut in Dublin’s Gate Theatre in 1962 for a production of Othello, going on to tour Europe.

He was then spotted by Laurence Olivier, who recruited him to the National Theatre Company. He would perform for three years at the Old Vic theatre in London for three years.

Gambon went on to achieve huge success in theatre, performing the lead roles in major productions such as Othello and MacBeth.

Gambon’s mainstream film success came from his appearances in films such as Wes Anderson flicks The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009).

The actor was best known for his role of Hogwarts principal Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, where he replaced fellow Irish actor Richard Harris, who passed away in 2002.

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