Renowned actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82, according to a statement from his family.
He gained widespread recognition for his depiction of Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter movies.
Over his remarkable six-decade career, the Dublin-born luminary made his mark in television, cinema, theater, and radio, amassing four Bafta awards.
Lady Gambon, his widow, and their son Fergus shared the news of their “beloved husband and father’s” peaceful passing art the hospital, where he was surrounded by loved ones, after fighting pneumonia.
Sir Michael’s family had relocated to London during his youth, but it was in Ireland, specifically in a 1962 Dublin production of Othello, that he made his first stage appearance.
His career soared to new heights when he joined Laurence Olivier’s original National Theatre acting ensemble in London, ultimately securing three Olivier awards for his outstanding performances in National Theatre productions.
In the ITV series Maigret, he portrayed the French detective Jules Maigret, and he was equally renowned for his portrayal of Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective on the BBC.
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Sir Michael accepted the role of Dumbledore, the wise headmaster of Hogwarts, in the successful Harry Potter series based on JK Rowling’s novels, following the demise of Richard Harris in 2003.
Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the films, told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: ‘He varied his career remarkably and never judged what he was doing, he just played.’
She said she would always think of him ‘as a trickster, just a brilliant, magnificent trickster’, adding: ‘With text, there was nothing like him. He could do anything.’
His filmography also includes the big screen version of Dad’s Army, Gosford Park, and his portrayal of King George V in The King’s Speech, the father of King George VI who faced a speech impediment.
He earned Emmy award nominations for his roles as Mr. Woodhouse in a 2010 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma and as President Lyndon B. Johnson in Path to War in 2002. Furthermore, his performance in David Hare’s play Skylight garnered him a Tony nomination in 1997.
In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, he was knighted in 1998, despite his Irish birthplace; he had acquired British citizenship during his childhood.
Dubbed “The Great Gambon” among his peers in the acting world, his final appearance on stage took place in 2012 as part of a London production of Samuel Beckett’s All That Fall.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar paid tribute, saying: ‘A great actor. Whether performing in Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all to every performance.’