‘Harry Potter’ famed actor Michael Gambon dies

Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was best known for playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, has passed away, his publicist said Thursday.

He was 82.

The Dublin-born star worked in TV, film, theatre and radio over his six-decade career. He won four Baftas.

His widow Lady Gambon and son Fergus said their "beloved husband and father" died peacefully in hospital with his family by his side, following a bout of pneumonia.

Sir Michael took on the role of Dumbledore - headmaster of wizarding school Hogwarts - in the hit Harry Potter series, based on JK Rowling's novels, after the death of Richard Harris in 2003.

The actor, known as "The Great Gambon" in acting circles, had last appeared on stage in 2012 in a London production of Samuel Beckett's play All That Fall.

Sir Michael's family had moved to London when he was a child but he made his very first stage performance in Ireland, in a production of Othello in Dublin in 1962.

His career took off when he became one the original members of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre acting company in London. He went on to win three Olivier awards for performances in National Theatre productions._Agencies