Sept 28 ( The Street Press) – Michael Gambon, the actor who played Professor Dumbledore in many ‘Harry Potter’ films, has passed away at the age of 82 due to pneumonia, according to a statement from his family reported by PA Media news agency on Thursday.
Gambon had a remarkable career spanning TV, film, and radio, and one of his notable roles was as the detective with psoriasis in the popular 1980s series “The Singing Detective”.
Gambon, considered one of the top actors of his era, was born in Cabra, Dublin, but relocated to London during his childhood. He was raised in a vibrant Irish immigrant neighborhood in Camden and began his career as an apprentice toolmaker. Throughout his life, he nurtured a deep love for antique firearms, clocks, and vintage cars.
In his own words from a 2004 interview with The Guardian, he said, “I’ve always been an obsessive collector of things. Richard Briers collects stamps. I collect cars and guns, which are much more expensive, and much more difficult to store”.
During his time as a toolmaker apprentice, Gambon pursued his passion for acting by studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He marked his professional stage debut in 1962 in Dublin’s the Gate Theatre production of “Othello”.
His talent caught the eye of the legendary Laurence Olivier, who invited him to join the newly-formed National Theatre Company. After four years, Gambon became a part of the Birmingham Repertory Company, where he fulfilled his dream of portraying the lead roles in his beloved Shakespearean plays.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that Gambon gained widespread recognition when he took on the role of Philip Marlow in the 1986 Anglo-American TV mini-series “The Singing Detective”.
His contributions to drama were formally recognized when he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990. Eight years later, he was knighted as a Knight Bachelor for his exceptional services to the field of drama.
Michael Gambon will likely be most fondly remembered for his portrayal of Hogwarts’ wise headmaster, Dumbledore, in the “Harry Potter” film series. He stepped into the role after the passing of Richard Harris in 2002, and he continued to embody Dumbledore’s character in six out of the eight “Harry Potter” films.