Some of Michael Gambon’s “Harry Potter” co-stars have expressed heartfelt condolences to him upon his departure at the age of 82
According to “Harry Potter” actresses Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Daniel Radcliffe, the world is now “considerably less fun,” as they all paid homage to the Irish-English actor, whose decades on stage and screen established him as one of Britain’s most treasured talents.
“He was silly, irreverent, and hilarious,” Radcliffe said. Though he clearly enjoyed his work, he was never reduced to it. He was also one of the most amusing guys with whom you could ever hope to have a press junket due to his propensity to blur the borders between reality and fantasy while speaking to journalists.
The great Sir Laurence Olivier was Gambon’s acting coach, and his students went on to star in films like “The Insider” (1999) and “Gosford Park” (2001). But it was his portrayal as Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, from 2004 to 2011, that propelled him to worldwide fame.
“Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with,” Radcliffe told Variety in a statement on Thursday. He was very talented, but what stands out to me most about him is the joy he had in his work.
“Kind, kind, Michael Gambon,” Watson said on Instagram on Thursday. “You never took things too seriously, yet you managed to give the most important moments all the weight they deserved. We appreciate you demonstrating the art of modesty in the face of brilliance. Our hearts are broken.
On Thursday, Gambon’s publicist released a statement from his family confirming the actor had passed away after “a bout of pneumonia.” According to his wife Anne Miller and their son Fergus, the husband and father of three died in peace.
Grint said on Instagram on Thursday, “So sad to hear about Michael.” On set, his jovial antics made each day more fun. He fascinated me as a youngster and encouraged me to see the humor and eccentricity in everyday living.
In addition to his two Critics’ Circle Theatre honors and three Laurence Olivier Awards, Michael Gambon won four British Academy of Film and Television Arts honors over his career. However, he allegedly had to leave the stage in 2015 due to memory problems and couldn’t return.
“I can’t do it,” he told The Sunday Times Magazine afterward. My heart is shattered.
Queen Elizabeth II gave the actor the title of “Sir” in 1998. Many people, including Jason Isaacs, Richard E. Grant, and J.K. Rowling (author of the “Potter” series), remembered him after his passing.
