Daniel Radcliffe and more ‘Harry Potter’ stars pay tribute to Sir Michael Gambon after his death
Legendary “Harry Potter” actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82.
The Irish-English star, known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the magical film franchise, died at a hospital after suffering from pneumonia.
Fellow actors and fans alike have taken to social media to express their condolences and to pay tribute to the star.
“Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling tweeted her condolences, calling Gambon a “wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor.”
“I’ve just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon,” Rowling, 58, tweeted. “The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you’d told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I’d written, I’d have thought you were insane.
“Michael was a wonderful man in addition to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also ‘The Casual Vacancy,’” continued Rowling. “My deepest condolences go to Michael’s family and everyone who loved him.”
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, posted on Instagram: “So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family,” he shared.
Daniel Radcliffe, for his part, issued a statement calling the late actor “silly, irreverent and hilarious.”
“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun,” Radcliffe, 34, told the Post. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job.
“He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it,” continued Radcliffe. “He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket. The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. I’m so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him.”
“The Crown” actor Jared Harris — whose father, Richard Harris, was the original Dumbledore — penned on X: “Hilarious! A brilliant actor. I saw him on stage several times, and he lives unforgettably in my memory.
“He took over Dumbledore from my father, which was fitting as he over took [Marlon] Brando as my father’s favourite actor,” Harris added.
Fan site Harry Potter Universe chimed in: “Sad to report that Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in the last six Harry Potter films, has sadly passed away at the age of 82. Please raise your wands for Michael and all of his family and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
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.’ pic.twitter.com/5urVWMDtsD
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 28, 2023
Star James Phelps — who played Fred Weasley in the “Harry Potter” series — wrote: “Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend.”
Piers Morgan scribed: “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.’”
Jason Isaacs, who famously portrayed Lucius Malfoy, noted on X: “Magnificent Michael Gambon has died.
“The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me,” he wrote.
More to come …
