Photo:Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty Images; Dave M. Benett/Getty Images; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty Images; Dave M. Benett/Getty Images; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
Michael Gambon’sHarry Pottercostars are raising their wands to the late actor.
After news ofGambon’s death at age 82on Thursday,James PhelpsandJason Isaacspaid tribute to the star, who played Dumbledore in theHarry Potterfilms beginning with 2004’sHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
“Magnificent Michael Gambon has died,” Isaacs, 60,wrote on X(formerly known as Twitter). “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,” added the actor, whoappeared as the villainous Lucius Malfoyin the majority of theHarry Potterfilms.
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James, who played Fred Weasley in the movies, shared a touching story about Gambon from the set of 2009’sHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,where they “spent many hours” together.
“He was always very funny and very welcoming toshare any knowledge he had,” tweeted the actor, 37, whose twin brotherOliver Phelpsplayed Fred’s twin brother, George Weasley.
James went on to recall the “intense” clock-tower scene near the end of the movie. But between setups, Gambon helped the Phelps twins with their preparations for another project they were working on: a reading ofPeter and the Wolfwith the Manchester Hallé orchestra, which was something Gambon was familiar with.
“So we spent what should have been his downtime going over my weekend gig,” James wrote. “It is a memory I’ve always had as one of the highlights of my HP days.”
Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the series, told BBC Radio 4 that he was “a brilliant, magnificent trickster” who “varied his career remarkably and never judged what he was doing, he just played," according toThe Guardian.
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2005).Everett
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the eightPotterfilms, shared an image of Gambon as Dumbledore in 2004’sPrisoner of Azkabanon Instagram and wrote that she “was forever in awe of Michael’s presence and performance.”
Gambon took over the part of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore after the death ofRichard Harrisin October 2002. Harris played Dumbledore in the series' first two films. Richard’s son, actor Jared Harris,tweetedon Thursday of Gambon: “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.”
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett
In 2012, Gambon received the Richard Harris Award from the British Independent Film Awards, an honor that acknowledges an actor who has contributed significantly to British film. In 1998, he received a knighthood fromQueen Elizabeth.
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter’.Warner Bros.
Gambon died “peacefully” in the hospital, his representative confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, issued on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," the statement shared on Thursday began. “Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.”
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love,” the statement concluded.
source: people.com
