Michael Gambon Who Played Dumbledore In "Harry Potter" Has Died At Age 82, And Here's How Fans Are Paying Tribute

    The actor died on Sept. 27 at the age of 82.

    Joseph Longo
    by Joseph Longo

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    Michael Gambon, the Irish and English actor, died on Sept. 27. He was 82.

    Closeup of Michael Gambon
    Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland / WireImage / Getty Images

    In a statement on Thursday that was obtained by the New York Times through a public relations company, his family said, “Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife, Anne, and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia." BuzzFeed has reached out to a representative for the actor for confirmation.

    Gambon had a long and extensive acting career that included two Screen Actors Guild Awards and four BAFTAs. For some, he was perhaps best known as the second and longest running actor to play Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise.

    Gambon as Prof. Dumbledore
    Murray Close/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

    Actor Richard Harris originally played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies, appearing as the headmaster of Hogwarts in the first two films. Following Harris's death in 2002, Gambon took over the role in the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and saw the character through the remaining films.

    Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon in "Harry Potter"
    Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

    In response to news of Gambon's death, people are sharing heartfelt tributes to the actor, including the impact his role as Dumbledore had on many.

    Gambon as Dumbledore
    Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

    If you enjoy any of the tweets below, consider following the user on Twitter!

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    1.

    RIP Michael Gambon

    “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” - Albus Dumbledore pic.twitter.com/xl8ircdql6

    — Spencer Morgan (@spencermorgan93) September 28, 2023
    @spencermorgan93/Twitter/Warner Bros. PIctures / Via Twitter: @spencermorgan93

    2.

    Not Dumbledore. 🥺 RIP Sir Michael Gambon. Millennials are in mourning. pic.twitter.com/kZQTfh14DZ

    — Kieran Doody (@kierandoody) September 28, 2023
    @kierandoodyTwitter/Warner Bros. Pictures / Via Twitter: @kierandoody

    3.

    Wands up for Sir Michael Gambon 😢 #RIP #HarryPotter #Dumbledore pic.twitter.com/oF7Nz5eDx3

    — Lloyd (@laughoutlloyd25) September 28, 2023
    @laughoutlloyd25/Twitter/Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection / Via Twitter: @laughoutlloyd25

    4.

    "Rest in peace legends."
    @queerdocguy/Twitter / Via Twitter: @queerdocguy

    5.

    "every hp actor passing feels like losing a family member somehow"
    @my_old_scarf/Twitter / Via Twitter: @my_old_scarf

    6.

    Very sorry to hear of the death of the great Sir Michael Gambon aged 82, here in an interview explaining why he didn’t like being interviewed. RIP Michael. pic.twitter.com/MQOmlvHBlF

    — John Pitchford🌹💙 (@Johnnypapa64) September 28, 2023
    @Johnnypapa64/Twitter/BBC / Via Twitter: @Johnnypapa64

    7.

    Hilarious! A brilliant actor. I saw him on stage several times, and he lives unforgettably in my memory. He took over Dumbledore from my father, which was fitting as he over took Brando as my father’s favourite actor. https://t.co/BMGDDTtM2w

    — Jared Harris🎭 (@JaredHarris) September 28, 2023
    @JaredHarris/Twitter/BBC / Via Twitter: @JaredHarris

    8.

    RIP Sir Michael Gambon. No one accepted an award quite like him. pic.twitter.com/EY07VrtAyi

    — Pip (@pipmadeley) September 28, 2023
    @pipmadeley/Twitter / Via Twitter: @pipmadeley

    9.

    Michael Gambon has been in our lives since childhood - brilliantly portraying our beloved Professor Dumbledore.

    The sadness of his passing feels like the sadness of Dumbledore’s death in the films, a scene that will forever hit different for all of us. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YiBF92sxV0

    — Harry Potter Universe (@HPotterUniverse) September 28, 2023
    @HPotterUniverse/Twitter/Warner Bros. Pictures / Via Twitter: @HPotterUniverse

    10.

    "Michael Gambon will live on in the hearts and the memories of every single person whose childhoods he lit up by his brilliant portrayal of Albus Dumbledore."
    @crowndefensx/Twitter / Via Twitter: @crowndefensx

    11.

    pour one out for Dumbledore https://t.co/2L7EuHItnW

    — it’s us (@501Flame) September 28, 2023
    @501Flame/Twitter/DiscussingFilm/Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection / Via Twitter: @501Flame

    12.

    RIP you wonderful man :(( forever in our hearts and a part of everyone's childhood https://t.co/XsCLCT5ZZN

    — Fraser 🤠 (@JediNabber) September 28, 2023
    @JediNabber/Twitter/DiscussingFilm/Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection / Via Twitter: @JediNabber

    13.

    "Real ones know Sir Gambon from the turn of the Top Gear test track that bore his name."
    @HauntedCosmos_/Twitter / Via Twitter: @HauntedCosmos_

    14.

    RIP Sir Michael Gambon.

    Will always remember him as the man who got a corner named after him on the Top Gear Test Track after he almost rolled it pic.twitter.com/iPi7Qht9sR

    — Hickey (@Hickey93) September 28, 2023
    @Hickey93/Twitter/BBC / Via Twitter: @Hickey93

    15. Finally, here's a sweet story about Michael Gambon on the set of Harry Potter:

    Crushed to just be reading about the passing of Michael Gambon. A tremendous actor, and one of the men whose work on screen shepherded me through my childhood. Also a feature in one of my all-time favourite behind the scenes clips, which I’ll add here! Rest easy 🤍 pic.twitter.com/joI31a4yHn

    — Jordan King (@JordanMBKing) September 28, 2023
    @JordanMBKing/Twitter / Via Twitter: @JordanMBKing
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