Actor Michael Gambon, known to audiences around the world for playing the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” film franchise, has died at the age of 82, reports Reuters and BBC.
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” moviesPhoto: ITAR-TASS / Alamy / Profimedia Images
He died peacefully in the hospital, according to a press release by his family.
He took over the role of the headmaster of the wizarding school “Hogwarts” after the character was played in the first two films by another British actor of Irish descent, Richard Harris. Harris died in 2002, after the release of the feature films “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Gambon played the role of Albus Dumbledore in the other 6 films of the franchise.
Although this was the role that brought him international recognition, Gambon had a career that spanned more than half a century after he began acting in stage plays in the 1960s, before transitioning to television and movie.
The news is being updated.
