22 Harry Potter Stars Who've Died Since Filming The Movies, And What Happened

From Richard Harris to Robbie Coltrane, a number of the film series' iconic actors have sadly died since making the movies.

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1. Leslie Phillips (the Sorting Hat) — Died November 7, 2022, age 98

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What happened: It was reported that after a long illness, Phillips died in his sleep at home in London. Phillips voiced the iconic sorting hat in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Deathly Hallows — Part 2.

2. Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) — Died October 14, 2022, age 72

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What happened: Coltrane died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland from multiple organ failure complicated by sepsis, a lower respiratory tract infection, and heart block. Coltrane portrayed Rubeus Hagrid throughout the run of all the Harry Potter films.

3. Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy) — Died April 16, 2021, age 52

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What happened: McCrory died from breast cancer. Announcing the death on Twitter, her husband Damian Lewis stated that she had died "peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family." McCrory's role of Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 and Part 2.

4. Paul Ritter (Eldred Worple) — Died April 5, 2021, age 54

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What happened: Ritter died of a brain tumor in his home, surrounded by family. His role as wizard and writer Eldred Worple appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

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5. Verne Troyer (Griphook) — Died April 21, 2018, age 49

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What happened: After an autopsy and testing, the LA county department medical examiner-coroner stated that Troyer died by suicide from the effects of alcohol. Troyer's role as Gringotts Wizarding Bank goblin Griphook appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

6. John Hurt (Garrick Ollivander) — Died January 25, 2017, age 77

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What happened: Hurt had been treated for pancreatic cancer in 2015, and although it reportedly went into remission later that year, Hurt eventually died in 2017. Hurt portrayed the great wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and then again in Deathly Hallows — Part 1 and Part 2.

7. Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge) — Died August 3, 2017, age 91

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What happened: There was no reported cause of death; however, he died at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in London. Hardy's role as British Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Order of the Phoenix.

8. Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) — Died January 14, 2016, age 69

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What happened: In August 2015, Rickman had a minor stroke, which led to a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He died less than a year later in London. Rickman portrayed Severus Snape throughout the run of all the Harry Potter films.

9. Hazel Douglas (Bathilda Bagshot) — Died September 8, 2016, age 92

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What happened: There was no reported cause of death. Douglas's role as witch and author of A History of Magic, Bathilda Bagshot, appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.

10. Terence Bayler (The Bloody Barron) — Died August 2, 2016, age 86

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What happened: There was no reported cause of death. Bayler's role as The Bloody Barron appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

11. Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback) — Died July 6, 2014, age 50

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What happened: Legeno reportedly died of heat stroke while hiking in a remote area of Death Valley, California. Apparently, he may have actually been dead for three to four days before his body was discovered by hikers. Legeno's role as werewolf Fenrir Greyback appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 and 2.

12. Roger Lloyd-Pack (Barty Crouch, Sr.) — Died January 16, 2014, age 69

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What happened: Lloyd-Pack died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Kentish Town. His funeral was held at the church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden and attended by many of his acting peers. His role as a member of the Ministry of Magic, Bartemius "Barty" Crouch, Sr., appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

13. David Ryall (Elphias Doge) — Died December 25, 2014, age 79

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What happened: Ryall died on Christmas day, but there was no reported cause of death. His role as wizard and member of the Order of the Phoenix, Elphias Doge, appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.

14. Derek Deadman (Tom) — Died November 22, 2014, age 74

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What happened: Deadman died of complications from diabetes in Frespech, France, where he had been living in retirement. Deadmen's role as Tom, the Leaky Cauldron bartender, appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

15. Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley) — Died March 28, 2013, age 65

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What happened: Griffiths died at University Hospital Coventry after complications following heart surgery. Griffiths portrayed Vernon Dursley throughout the run of all the Harry Potter films.

16. Eric Sykes (Frank Bryce) — Died July 4, 2012, age 89

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What happened: Sykes died peacefully at his home in Surrey after a short illness. He was surrounded by family at the time. His role as "muggle" Frank Bryce appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

17. Jimmy Gardner (the Knight Bus Driver) — Died May 3, 2010, age 85

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What happened: Gardner died in London from pneumonia. Friend and fellow actor Mark Rylance wrote a lovely obituary and later unveiled a plaque in Gardner's honor in Marlborough, England. Gardner's role as Ernie Prang, the Knight Bus Driver, appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

18. Timothy Bateson (Kreacher) — Died September 15, 2009, age 83

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What happened: There was no reported cause of death. Bateson's voice performance as Kreacher appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He was replaced by actor Simon McBurney for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.

19. Elizabeth Spriggs (Portrait of the Fat Lady) — Died July 2, 2008, age 78

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What happened: No cause of death was given, but she was laid to rest at St. Mary the Virgin's Churchyard in Thame, Oxfordshire where her funeral was attended by many peers like Jeremy Irons. Actor and comedian Dawn French would go on to take over the role of the Fat Lady in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

20. Robert Knox (Marcus Belby) — Died May 24, 2008, age 18

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What happened: Knox was stabbed to death in London after attempting to protect his younger brother during a barroom brawl, according to the Guardian. A man named Karl Bishop was later convicted and found guilty of Knox's murder. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released posthumously with Knox's performance.

21. Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore) — Died October 25, 2002, age 72

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What happened: Harris died of Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer, at University College Hospital in Bloomsbury, London only a few months after his diagnosis. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets would be one of his final films, which was released posthumously. Actor Michael Gambon would go on to take over the role of Dumbledore for the remainder of the films.

22. Finally, Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) — Died September 28, 2023, age 82

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What happened: Gambon's publicist shared the news via statement, saying "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."

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