Harry Potters stars pay tribute to Michael Gambon

Several Harry Potter stars have paid tribute to Michael Gambon, who sadly passed away this week.

On 28 September 2023, the acclaimed actor passed away, with the news breaking via a statement from his family.

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Gambon was one of the most acclaimed theatre actors of his generation. Along with Laurence Olivier, he was one of the founding members of the Royal National Theatre.

He won three Olivier awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards and four BAFTA awards. For services to acting and drama, he received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

To most movie fans, he is undoubtedly recognised most for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. Gambon did not actually start the franchise in the role, but for the third movie, The Prisoner of Azkaban, he was selected to replace Richard Harris, who passed away after filming The Chamber of Secrets.

Harry Potter fans were heartbroken at the news, and so were many of Gambon's co-stars.

Michael Gambon tributes

"I've just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon. The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you'd told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I'd written, I'd have thought you were insane. Michael was a wonderful man in addition to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael's family and everyone who loved him." - J.K. Rowling

"Despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket. The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be." - Daniel Radcliffe

“Kind, kind, kind Michael Gambon. You never took it too seriously but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly. We will miss you." - Emma Watson

“So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family." - Rupert Grint

"Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective - complex, vulnerable and utterly human. The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me." - Jason Issacs