In London, Michael Gambon, a renowned British-Irish actor recognized globally for his portrayal of the wise Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, and whose career was launched under the mentorship of Laurence Olivier, passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday. According to a family statement reported by PA Media, he passed away peacefully in the hospital.
Gambon’s journey in the world of acting began on the theatrical stage during the early 1960s, eventually transitioning into television and film. Some of his notable film roles included a chilling portrayal of a psychotic mob leader in Peter Greenaway’s “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” in 1989 and his portrayal of the elderly King George V in Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” in 2010.
However, Gambon’s most iconic role was that of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. He took on this role starting from the third installment of the eight-movie series, succeeding the late Richard Harris in 2004. Gambon modestly downplayed the acclaim for his performance, describing it as simply being himself “with a stuck-on beard and a long robe.”
Born as Michael John Gambon on October 19, 1940, in Dublin, he was the child of a seamstress mother and an engineer father. The family relocated to Camden Town in London when Gambon was six years old as his father sought employment in the city’s post-war reconstruction.
At the age of 15, Gambon left school to embark on an engineering apprenticeship, achieving full qualification by the age of 21. Nevertheless, his heart was always set on acting, inspired by American actors Marlon Brando and James Dean, whom he felt captured the turmoil of teenage boys.
In 1962, he auditioned for the esteemed Shakespearean actor Olivier, who later appointed him as one of the founding members of the National Theatre at the Old Vic. He joined the ranks of emerging talents like Derek Jacobi and Maggie Smith, solidifying his reputation on the theatrical stage, particularly with his 1980 portrayal of Galileo in John Dexter’s “Life of Galileo.”
The 1980s marked his rise to prominence, with his lead role in the 1986 TV series “The Singing Detective,” where he portrayed a writer grappling with a debilitating skin condition, finding solace in his imagination. This performance earned him one of his four BAFTAs. Additionally, he garnered three Olivier Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of ensemble casts in films such as “Gosford Park” in 2001 and “The King’s Speech.”
Gambon was honored as a Commander of the British Empire in 1992 and was knighted in 1998 for his contributions to the world of drama, although he chose not to use the title.
Known for his mischievous personality, Gambon was fond of weaving tales. He once displayed a signed photograph of Robert De Niro to fellow actors, which he had actually inscribed himself before meeting the American actor. In an episode of “The Late Late Show” in Ireland, he amusingly shared that he had convinced his mother that he was friends with the Pope.
In 2015, Gambon retired from the stage due to long-term memory issues but continued to grace the screen with his talent until 2019. In a 2002 interview, he expressed that his work made him feel like “the luckiest man in the world.” The late actor married Anne Miller in 1962, and they had a son. Although they never divorced, in later years, he had another partner, the set designer Philippa Hart, who was 25 years his junior, with whom he had two children.