Olivier-award winning actor Michael Gambon has passed away aged 82. His most well-known film roles included Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise, and Phillip Marlow in the BBC Drama The Singing Detective.
Born in Cabra, Dublin, in 1940, Michael Gambon had a long and impressive career spanning film, television, and theatre. Younger audiences will be most familiar with him for his work on the Harry Potter franchise as the beloved Dumbledore.
Gambon received many accolades throughout his career, receiving the prestigious Olivier award for his performance as Eddie Carbone in a 1987 production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge. Notably, Gambon was mentored by Laurence Olivier for whom the award is named after. He also received 4 BAFTA TV Awards, one of which he received for his performance in the 1987 BBC Drama The Singing Detective, which was met with universal acclaim.
Over the course of his career, he performed in many of Samuel Beckett’s plays (Endgame, Eh Joe, Krapp’s Last Tape, All That Fall), as well as numerous Shakespearean productions, having first started in theatre as a set builder. This led to small acting roles such as his debut as ‘Second Gentleman’ in a production of Othello aged 22 in Dublin. In film, Gambon worked with many great directors over the years including Robert Altman, Alfonso Cuarón, Wes Anderson, the Coen brothers, Tim Burton, and Peter Greenaway.
In 2017, Gambon was announced as the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award Honouree. “I am overwhelmed and delighted to receive such an honour from the Irish Academy,” said the actor at the time. “I was born in Dublin and have been lucky enough to work here many times over the years.”
His family have released a statement asking for privacy during this period of bereavement, which reads as follows:
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.”
“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.”
Sir Michael Gambon is survived by his wife Lady Anne Gambon and son Fergus.
