Daniel Radcliffe Pays Tribute To “Silly, Irreverent, And Hilarious” Michael Gambon Along With ‘Harry Potter’ Co-Stars

Michael Gambon, best known for his role in the Harry Potter films as Albus Dumbledore, died yesterday (Sept. 28) at the age of 82. His death was confirmed by his wife, Lady Gambon, and their son, Fergus, who shared the sad news with The Guardian.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82,” the statement read. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

While Gambon was beloved for his work on Harry Potter, he joined the series during its third film and was not the original Dumbledore. The actor took over the role in 2004 from the late Richard Harris, who starred in the first Harry Potter film and its sequel. Gambon’s first movie was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and he played Dumbledore until the final installments, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. In total, he acted in six Harry Potter films.

Series author J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter cast members paid tribute to the late star shortly after news of his death first broke. Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular boy wizard, wrote a lengthy statement shared with Variety.

“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun,” Radcliffe shared. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job.

He continued, “He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket.”

Rowling, who has become in embroiled in controversy in recent years for expressing anti-trans sentiments, mourned Gambon and praised his acting skills on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

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…

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 28, 2023

Several other members of the Harry Potter cast paid tribute to Gambon in their own ways. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said he looked up to Gambon. In an Instagram post, Grint said, “So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family.”

Jason Issacs, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy, said on X that he learned from Gambon that acting could be “complex, vulnerable and utterly human,” but also shared, “The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me.”

James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley, recalled a story about Gambon helping him on a weekend acting job.

Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend. Just a little memory of Michael pic.twitter.com/4M6E6inWMy

— James Phelps (@James_Phelps) September 28, 2023

Gambon was also remembered by the official Harry Potter Instagram account, which posted, “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.”

They added, “We will forever hold his memory in our hearts.”