Sir Michael Gambon dies aged 82: Legendary stage and screen actor who starred as Dumbledore in Harry Potter passes away peacefully in hospital

Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died peacefully in hospital at the age of 82 after suffering from pneumonia, his family announced today.

The towering figure of British stage and screen began his 60-year career playing Sir Laurence Olivier and was much loved by younger audiences as Albus Dumbledore in eight of the Harry Potter films.

His rise to become one of the world’s most celebrated actors was all the more remarkable given his humble background, born in Dublin to a working-class couple who encouraged him to become an engineer after leaving school at 15.

A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: ‘We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

Michael Gambon with his wife Lady Gambon, with whom he had a son, Fergus

Michael Gambon and his partner Philippa Hart, with whom he had two young sons

‘Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, after a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.

‘We ask that you respect our privacy during this painful time and thank you for your expressions of support and love.’

He married retired mathematician Lady Anne in 1962. Their son Fergus is an expert in ceramics and works for auctioneer Bonhams. He also appears on the BBC Antiques Roadshow.

Sir Michael was a working class boy who was well made. He was born in Dublin, his mother was a seamstress and his father an engineer for whom the idea of ​​a career on stage was completely foreign.

He left school at the age of 15 without a diploma and subsequently apprenticed as a toolmaker. At the age of 21, he was a qualified engineer, but only worked as such for a year before deciding to become an actor.

Sir Michael, who has won four TV Baftas, is known for his extensive catalog of work in television, film, radio and theater over a career spanning decades.

In recent years he played Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films.

Speaking about it recently, he said of playing the wizard that he “really doesn’t have to play anyone.”

He said: ‘I just stick on a beard and play with me, so it’s not a great achievement. I never immerse myself in a role; every role I play is just a variation of my own personality. I’m not a character actor at all…’

Outside of acting, it was reported in 2015 that he was dividing his time between the £5 million land pile he shared with Lady Gambon near Gravesend in Kent, and a house in West London for his young sons Tom and Will with set designer Philippa Hart in West London . The boys are believed to be in their early teens.

Sir Michael and Philippa had been dating since 2000, when they worked together on the film Longitude, in which he played the role of 18th century watchmaker John Harrison.

Within a year of their meeting, he openly introduced her as his girlfriend to Charles Dance, Dame Maggie Smith and other cast members in his next film, the Oscar-winning Gosford Park, in which he played a philandering aristocrat.

And although his wife was initially devastated by the news when Sir Michael moved out of their home, she apparently accepted the arrangement when he subsequently moved back in with them.

He then divided his time between both families, roaring from London to Kent and back in his selection of sports cars, including a Ferrari, a Mercedes and a 175mph Audi R8, which were his pride and joy. The actor has always been protective when it comes to his private life and once replied “which woman” when asked about his marriage.

His love for fast cars was well known.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has expressed his condolences following the death of Sir Michael Gambon, recalling that the actor was such a ‘great guy’ that a corner was named after him on the BBC show’s race track .

“I’m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has passed away,” Clarkson tweeted.

“He was extremely funny, and such a great guy, we even named a corner after him.”

Harry Potter stars Robbie Coltrane and Michael Gambon in New York in 2011

He is also known for his role as French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and for his starring role in the BBC series The Singing Detective.

Sir Michael made his first appearance on stage in a production of Othello at the Gates Theatre, Dublin in 1962 and was knighted in 1998 for his contribution to the entertainment industry.

He delivered a memorable performance in the 2015 BBC adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy and his illustrious theater career includes appearances in Alan Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests, The Life Of Galileo and Nicholas Hytner’s National Theater production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 .

In 2016, he appeared as Private Godfrey in the big screen adaptation of Dad’s Army, and his other film roles include historical dramas such as 2010’s The King’s Speech, 2001’s Gosford Park and 2017’s Victoria & Abdul.

Sir Michael has also been recognized by US awards with Emmy nominations for Mr Woodhouse in 2010 for an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma and as former US President Lyndon B Johnson in Path To War in 2002.

His turn in David Hare’s play Skylight, about the fallout from an affair, also led to a Tony nod in 1997 and earlier in 1990 he earned an Olivier Award for Comedy Performance of the Year for the diplomatic comedy Man Of The Moment at the Globe, now the Gielgud Theater.

Gambon retired from the stage in 2015 after struggling to remember his lines in front of an audience due to his increasing age. He once told the Sunday Times Magazine: “It’s a terrible thing to admit, but I can’t do it. It breaks my heart.”

Comedian David Baddiel is among those paying tribute to Sir Michael Gambon, describing his theater performance as ‘the best acting I have ever seen’.

On

‘It’s still the best acting I’ve ever seen. REST IN PEACE.’