Sir Michael Gambon dead updates — Harry Potter stars pay tribute to Dumbledore actor as cause of death revealed
SIR Michael Gambon has died peacefully in hospital aged 82, his family said.
A statement from his family said: "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."
Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in Harry Potter, paid tribute to Sir Michael Gambon today. She told the BBC: “I will think of him as a trickster, just brilliant, magnificent trickster, but with text, there was nothing like him, he could do anything."
Read our live blog below for the latest updates...
Which plays was Sir Michael Gambon in?
Sir Michael started his acting career in the theatre, with Laurence Olivier as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre.
He appeared in many plays by William Shakespeare such as Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth and Coriolanus.
The talented star was nominated for thirteen Olivier Awards, winning three times for A Chorus of Disapproval (1985), A View from the Bridge (1987), and Man of the Moment (1990).
In 1997 Sir Michael made his Broadway debut in David Hare's Skylight earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play nomination.
Was Sir Michael Gambon in Lord of the Rings?
Due to his role as the wizard Dumbledore in Harry Potter, many fans have thought that Sir Michael John Gambon was also in Lord of The Rings too.
But the actor was never in any of the films, or The Hobbit movies.
Over the years some fans have been confused, and thought Sir Michael played Gandalf due to the two wizards being quite similar.
But the only wizard he ever played was Harry Potter's headmaster, Dumbledore.
Michael Gambon’s unconventional marriage
Michael married mathematician Lady Anne in 1962, when he was 22, and the couple remained wedded until his death 50 years later.
They also shared son Fergus, 59, who is the director of British Ceramics and Glass.
But in 2002, the award-winning actor revealed he was also in a relationship with set designer Philippa Hart - 25 years his junior.
The pair met when working together on the set of Channel 4 series Longitude in 2000.
He is said to have then introduced her as his girlfriend on the set of Gosford Park the following year.
In February 2007, it was revealed that Philippa was pregnant and Sir Michael became a dad again at 66 to baby Tom in May 2007.
She then gave birth to his third child Will in 2009.
Sir Michael's lover Philippa Hart
Sir Michael Gambon left 'heart broken' by disease
Sir Michael Gambon previously spoke about his heartache at giving up on his stage career due to health battles.
He revealed in 2015 that the progressive disease had forced him to give up his beloved stage career as he struggled to remember his lines.
Sir Michael said at the time: "Now I can't really do theatre. It breaks my heart, but I can't really remember lines."
He was able to continue starring in TV and movies using an earpiece so staff could feed him lines.
Harry Potter stars pay tribute
A Harry Potter co-star, Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley, paid tribute to Sir Michael Gambon today.
She told the BBC: "I will think of him as a trickster, just brilliant, magnificent trickster, but with text, there was nothing like him, he could do anything.
"He did once say to me in a car 'I know I go on a lot about this and that, but actually in the end, there is only acting'. I think he was always pretending that he didn't take it seriously, but he took it profoundly seriously, I think."
Tributes flood in
Blake Harrison, who appeared in Dad’s Army alongside Sir Michael Gambon said: “The funniest actor I’ve ever worked with.
“My lunch breaks on Dad’s Army were spent wanting to hear story after story from him.
“A phenomenal actor. RIP Sir Michael Gambon.”
Piers Morgan took to X to say: “RIP Michael Gambon, 82. A true acting great.
“He once told me: ‘All I’ve ever wanted to do was act – but these modern celebrities want a quick buck with no talent or hard work required. It’s awful.’
“‘What would you call this type of person?’ I asked. ‘I’d call them a cretin.’”
Harry Potter franchise pays tribute to Dumbledore actor
The official account for Harry Potter on social media platform X has posted a tribute to Sir Michael Gambon.
The account said: "We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon.
"He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace.
"We will forever hold his memory in our hearts."
How many children did Sir Michael Gambon have?
Michael had three children during his life.
He had a son, Fergus, with wife Anne.
The actor then had two more sons with Phillipa -Tom and Will.
Who was Sir Michael Gambon's wife?
Michael had an untraditional marriage in that he was wed to his wife Lady Anne Gambon from 1962, but he was also in a relationship with another woman.
Michael and Anne tied the knot when the actor was just 22-years-old.
However, in 2002, he revealed he was also in a relationship with set designer Philippa Hart, who was 25 years his junior.
How did Sir Michael Gambon die?
On September 28, 2023, Michael's family announced he had died peacefully aged 82, following a bout of pneumonia.
A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: "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."
Who was Sir Michael Gambon?
Sir Michael John Gambon was born October 19, 1940, in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland but moved to London at the age of six where he later became a British citizen.
He made his film debut in the Laurence Olivier Othello in 1965, and since then has had roles in a variety of Hollywood movies including Sleepy Hollow, The King's Speech, and Paddington.
During his legendary career, he has scooped four Baftas for his roles in The Singing Detective, Wives and Daughters, and Perfect Strangers. He has also won three Olivier Awards for his work on stage.
Michael was appointed a Knight Bachelor for his services to drama in the New Year Honours List in 1998.
What films has Michael appeared in?
As well as his iconic role in Harry Potter he starred in blockbusters Gosford Park (2001), Ali G Indahouse (2002), Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and The King’s Speech (2010).
He also played Philip Marlowe in serial drama The Singing Detective.
The qualified pilot later appeared in BBC TV hits like Perfect Strangers and Emma.
Fans flock to social media with tributes
Taking to X formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: "Just heard the extremely unfortunate news that the great Michael Gambon has died.
"A brilliant British talent and one who will be deeply missed."
A second said: "RIP Michael Gambon. One of the finest actors there ever was."
Family release statement
A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: "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 achieved multiple awards
The 82-year-old won four BAFTA’s for his TV work, three Oliver Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Award’s.
In 1998 he was knighted in The Queen’s New Years’ Honours for services to drama.
Michael's memorable appearance on Top Gear
He is also remembered for his hair-raising lap of the Top Gear test track where he went round the last corner on two wheels.
The corner was later named “Gambon” in tribute to the infamous Star in the reasonably priced car.
Michael Gambon best known for role in Harry Potter
Michael was cast as the second incarnation of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise for 2004's Prisoner of Azkaban.
The role was initially portrayed in the first two films in the franchise by Richard Harris, who passed away from Hodgkin's disease in 2002, three weeks before the second film was released.
Dumbledore became the second role of Michael's that he inherited from the late star, who had previously played Jules Maigret for four years prior to Michael's 1990s ITV serial.
He reprised the role in every one of the Harry Potter films from the third until the franchise's conclusion with the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011.
Michael Gambon early life
Sir Michael John Gambon was born October 19, 1940, in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland but moved to London at the age of six where he later became a British citizen.
The 77-year-old made his film debut in the Laurence Olivier Othello in 1965, and since then has had roles in a variety of Hollywood movies including Sleepy Hollow, The King's Speech, and Paddington.
During his legendary career, he has scooped four Baftas for his roles in The Singing Detective, Wives and Daughters, and Perfect Strangers. He has also won three Olivier Awards for his work on stage.
Michael Gambon dies aged 82
Sir Michael Gambon has died peacefully in hospital aged 82, his family said.
The Harry Potter star who played Dumbledore made his film debut in the Laurence Olivier Othello in 1965.
