British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter movies, dies at 82

He was 82.

According to reports, the actor, who won four BAFTAS, died after a bout of pneumonia.

Gambon started his acting career with Laurence Olivier as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre.

Over his six-decade-long career, he received three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and four Baftas.

In 1998, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama.

Gambon made his film debut in Othello (1965). His other notable films include The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), The Wings of the Dove (1997), The Insider (1999), Gosford Park (2001), Amazing Grace (2006), The King's Speech (2010), Quartet (2012), and Victoria & Abdul (2017). Gambon also appeared in the Wes Anderson films The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009).

Born in Dublin, the actor's family moved to London when he was a child but he made his very first stage performance in Ireland.

Reactions:

Actor Daniel Radcliffe was quoted as saying by BBC that the "brilliant, effortless" actor "loved his job but never seemed defined by it".

Harry Potter writer JK Rowling posted on X: "I've just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon. 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 additional to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael's family and everyone who loved him."

The official X page of The Academy posted: "Sir Michael Gambon, the British theatre actor perhaps best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies, died on Wednesday. He was 82."

A blue-ticked page on X known as Harry Potter wrote: "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."