Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was known to many for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, has died, his publicist said Thursday. He was 82.
A statement by his family, issued by his publicist to the Associated Press, said he died following “a bout of 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,” his family said.
The Irish actor was cast as the much-loved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002. Gambon started his role as the magical mentor in 2004 with “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” through the final film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”