Coming to you with some really sad news today. RIP Michael Gambon AKA Dumbledore. Earlier on I read that Michael Gambon, who famously played Albus Dumbledore for the majority of the Harry Potter films,-has passed away at the age of 82. "We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," said the statement issued on behalf of his wife, Anne, and son Fergus by publicist Clair Dobbs. It added that he "died peacefully in hospital" after a bout of pneumonia with the pair at his bedside. His family also added: ... "We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love,"- ... For those unaware, Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore after the death of Richard Harris, who portrayed the wise old wizard in the Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. And take over the role he certainly did- and while the two men may have portrayed Dumbledore in their own unique ways, both were incredibly effective. Leaving their mark on the Harry Potter franchise for all of eternity. Born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin, Ireland, Michael Gambon showed an early inclination towards the arts. He left school at the age of 15 and went on to become a successful engineer. However, the allure of the theater proved irresistible, and Gambon soon embarked on a professional acting career. He joined the prestigious National Theatre in London's Old Vic as one of its founding members in 1962. Collaborating with legendary figures like Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, and Maggie Smith, Gambon developed his craft and gained prominence on the stage. Throughout his illustrious career, Gambon amassed numerous awards and honors. He received three Olivier Awards and two Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for his remarkable stage performances. On the screen, Gambon was honored with four British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. Additionally, he won two ensemble cast Screen Actors Guild Awards for his roles in "Gosford Park" and "The King's Speech." In 1998, Gambon was knighted for his immense contributions to the world of drama. But it wasn't just contributions to the world of Drama that Gambon deserved to be knighted for. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Gambon played an integral part of so many people's childhoods- bringing the iconic role of Dumbledore to life. It's tough getting older and seeing our childhood heroes passing away, but just like Hagrid and Robbie Coltrane- Gambon's contributions to the world of theatre will live forever. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices