“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
It was certainly a dark time for Harry Potter fans around the world on September 28, when it was announced that actor Michael Gambon — who portrayed Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — passed away at the age of 82.
Related: New Harry Potter Series Will Last For a Decade!
As many fans know, Gambon took over the role after Richard Harris passed away in 2002. Harris played Professor Dumbledore in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Gambon stepped in beginning in 2004, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He then returned for The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2.
Early in the morning of September 28, Gambon’s family released a statement, announcing his death after contracting pneumonia.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”
Gambon married his wife, Anne Miller, a mathematician, in 1962, when he was just 22 years old. Their son Fergus is best known for his appearances on the hit BBC show, Antiques Roadshow, where he is a ceramics expert.
Heartbroken Harry Potter Fans and Family
Shortly after Gambon’s death was announced, X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with memories, condolences to his family, and stories from his time in Hollywood.
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.
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. pic.twitter.com/1CoTF3zeTo
— Harry Potter (@harrypotter) September 28, 2023
Fans were not the only ones to share their sadness over Gambon’s passing. Jason Isaacs — who played Lucius Malfoy in the revered franchise — fondly remembered his costar.
Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective – complex, vulnerable and utterly human. 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.
Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective – complex, vulnerable and utterly human. 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.
— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) September 28, 2023
James Phelps, who played Weasley twin Fred, also shared a wonderful memory he had of working with Gambon on the Harry Potter films.
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
Whilst shooting HP6 I worked on the AD department for the whole shoot (apart from the days I was acting). And for that reason I spent many hours with Michael during the shoot. He was always very funny and very welcoming to share any knowledge he had.
One day we were shooting Dumbledore’s final clock tower scene, obviously quite an intense scene. In between set ups Michael asked what I was up to that weekend. As it my brother and I were reading Peter and the Wolf with the Manchester Halle orchestra. “Do you have the script with you?” He asked, I did, “I’ve done that, let’s go through it and if you like I can give you some notes.” So we spent what should have been his downtime going over my weekend gig. It is a memory I’ve always had as one of the highlights of my HP days.
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
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who played the iconic Boy Who Lived, shared his condolences on Instagram, along with a video, remembering Gambon.
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”. -Albus Dumbledore
View this post on Instagram
X account, Harry Potter Universe wanted to bring some smiles to the sadness while remembering Gambon, who also had a great sense of humor. They shared a clip of Daniel Radcliffe recalling a time Gambon pranked him on set.
Michael Gambon once pranked Daniel Radcliffe with a fart machine while filming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Michael Gambon once pranked Daniel Radcliffe with a fart machine while filming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.#RIPMichaelGambon pic.twitter.com/lMmpabikev
— Harry Potter Universe (@HPotterUniverse) September 28, 2023
Not the First Passing of Harry Potter Stars
Sadly, Michael Gambon is not the only Harry Potter star to pass away in recent months. In October 2022, Robbie Coltrane — who played the lovable Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubius Hagrid — died at the age of 72. According to Coltrane’s death certificate, a number of issues contributed to his death, including multiple organ failure caused by sepsis, heart block, and a lower respiratory tract infection.
In March of this year, Paul Grant, who played one of the famous Gringotts’ goblins, died at the young age of 56. Grant passed away after collapsing outside of King’s Cross station, which is well-known to Harry Potter fans. We do not know what caused Grant to collapse, but he had struggled with drugs and alcohol in the past.
Fans can remember both Gambon and Coltrane when they visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort. The magical area features the incredible attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Related: Embrace the Dark Arts This Fall With New Offering at Universal Orlando
On the ride, guests venture into Hogwarts Castle, where they encounter Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Harry Potter, with his friends Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger. Hermione enchants benches and guests fly around Hogwarts, where they must dodge a dragon, dementors, and Harry’s enemy, Draco Malfoy.
At Universal Orlando, guests can head into Islands of Adventure and ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Guests climb onto Hagrid’s motorcycle and fly through the Forbidden Forest. The ride took the place of Dueling Dragons, and fans can’t get enough of the amazing roller coaster.
