Michael Gambon, an Irish-born actor best known for his role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” series, died at the age of 82 on Wednesday.
“We’re devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” his publicist, Clair Dobbs, said in a statement on Thursday. According to Dobbs, the actor died following “a bout of pneumonia.”
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in the hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside,” Dobb said in the statement. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of love and support.”
Gambon, who was originally born in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland, first started his acting career on stage in Shakespeare plays. He was hired on by Laurence Oliver - an English actor and director pioneer in the mid-20th century - to be one of the founding actors of the Royal National Theatre, acting in productions such as Hamlet and Macbeth.
Though Gambon truly launched into British stardom after starring in the hit 1986 TV series “The Singing Detective.” Shortly after the airing of “The Singing Detective,” the role earned him his first four BAFTA awards, as well as being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
For some audiences in the United States, Gambon is best known for his iconic role as Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” series.
The British film franchise features eight movies, stretching from 2001 to 2011. Gambon acted as Dumbledore in six out of the eight “Harry Potter” films.
His role as Dumbledore filled the hearts of many who started watching his work in their childhood and have grown up with Gambon as the face of Dumbledore.
Ileana Small, a senior studying international relations and global business, said the news of Gambon’s death was heartbreaking, especially being an avid “Harry Potter” fan since childhood.
“Harry Potter was one of the very first series I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down so I was so excited to see the movies,” Small said. “[Gambon] plays the character very well and it’s very sad to see that a great actor who was a part of my childhood is now gone, but I think left a good legacy.”
May Htike, a senior studying mathematics and business, feels similarly, reminiscing about Gambon’s impact through “Harry Potter.”
“He played such a big role in our childhoods. May he rest in peace.”