The long-awaitedHarry Potter: Return To Hogwarts reunion has arrived on HBO Max, with a beautiful celebration of the Wizarding World movies as well as an In Memoriam tribute to every Harry Potter actor who has died. With particularly fond tributes to Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, and Helen McCrory, it is a fitting tribute that ends with a touching, and heartbreaking nod to Sirius Snape’s now-infamous “Always” line.
The Harry Potter Reunion was the perfect balance for a celebration special, revealing never-before-heard set stories, like the time James Phelps broke director Mike Newell’s ribs in a particularly method moment, and new interviews with the key cast. Not all of the Harry Potter actors returned, and obviously, those who have sadly passed could not, but there part in the Wizarding World’s success and enduring legacy was not overlooked as they were paid tribute to. The special included a single screen showing the names of every Harry Potter actor who has died since completing their parts in the movies.
To further celebrate their lives, here’s every name and who they played. Unfortunately, one actor who played a key role in the Harry Potter movies was missed out of the tribute. Berry, the black German Shepherd, who played Sirius Black’s Animagus form “Snuffles” in the Prisoner of Azkaban is confirmed to have died after the movies were completed. Here’s every Harry Potter actor mentioned in the Harry Potter: Back To Hogwarts reunion In Memoriam tribute.
Every Actor Mentioned In The Harry Potter Reunion In Memoriam Tribute
Sheila Allen ((22 October 1932 – 13 October 2011) – Ministry Witch
A veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sheila Allen played an unidentified Ministry of Magic witch in Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.
Timothy Bateson (3 April 1926 – 15 September 2009) – Kreacher
Also known for his vocal work as the worm in Labyrinth and a career that spanned 7 decades, Timothy Bateson was the original voice of Kreacher in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. When he died at the age of 83, 2 years later – Kreacher was his final role – Simon McBurney took over as the cantankerous house elf for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Terence Bayler (24 January 1930 – 2 August 2016) – The Bloody Baron
Though his backstory was removed for the movies and his murder of Helena Ravenclaw (and suicide, which earned him the bloody monicker), Terence Bayler’s Bloody Baron appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone before disappearing for the rest of the series. Bayler was largely a supporting actor in TV roles and was the only House Ghost with no lines in the Harry Potter movies.
Sam Beazley (29 March 1916 – 12 June 2017) – Everard
Sam Beazley played Professor Everard, a former celebrated head of Hogwarts whose portrait hangs in the Headmaster’s Office. It is he who Professor Dumbledore asks to find Arthur Weasley when he is attacked by Voldemort’s snake, Nagini in the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where another Everard portrait hangs.
Alfred Burke (28 February 1918 – 16 February 2011) – Professor Armando Dippet
Another former Hogwarts headmaster, Alfred Burke played Professor Armando Dippet briefly in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, appearing in the flashback that shows the fallout of Moaning Myrtle’s death. He’s glimpsed at the top of the stairs, with a white beard, looking down on the stretcher carrying Myrtle’s body out of the school.
Peter Cartwright (30 August 1935 – 18 November 2013) – Elphias Doge
The original Elphias Doge, Peter Cartwright played the Order of the Phoenix member in of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and helped escort Harry Potter to 12 Grimmauld Place with the Advanced Guard. He did not reprise his role for Doge’s return in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. He died at age 83 of cancer.
Derek Deadman (11 March 1940 – 22 November 2014) – Tom, the Leaky Cauldron Barman
Another recast Harry Potter actor, Derek Deadman played Tom the innkeeper in the very first Leaky Cauldron scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He was a veteran of British TV and film for almost 40 years, including playing Sontaran Commander Stor in the Doctor Who serial The Invasion of Time. He died in France aged 74
Hazel Douglas (2 November 1923 – 8 September 2016) – Bathilda Bagshot
Hazel Douglas left a particularly memorable mark on Harry Potter fans, as she appeared as Bathilda Bagshot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and was responsible for the scariest Harry Potter movie moment.
Jimmy Gardner (24 August 1924 – 3 May 2010) – Ernie Prang, Knight Bus Driver
A man of few words but incredible driving skills, veteran actor Jimmy Gardner played Ernie Prang, the Knight Bus Driver. He was also known for appearing on Doctor Who.
Salo Gardner (1936 – 2 December, 2018) – Knockturn Alley Wizard
Gardner is one of few actors who could claim to have been in both a Harry Potter movie and a Fantastic Beasts movie, having appeared as an extra in the latter. The distinctive-looking actor briefly appeared in Knockturn Alley in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, unwittingly scaring Harry himself.
Richard Griffiths (31 July 1947 – 28 March 2013) – Vernon Dursley
Called out in the Harry Potter reunion special by Daniel Radcliffe as the biggest influence on him on-set, Richard Griffiths played Vernon Dursley throughout the series with incredible prowess. Griffiths appeared in numerous movies, including Withnail & I, King Ralph, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He died after heart surgery in 2013.
Robert Hardy (29 October 1925 – 3 August 2017) – Cornelius Fudge
A veteran of stage and screen, Robert Hardy played bumbling Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge in the first five Harry Potter movies, perfectly balancing Fudge’s idealism and fear of Dumbledore’s return. He died in August 2017, aged 91.
Richard Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) – Albus Dumbledore
The original Dumbledore, Richard Harris was a legend of Hollywood, with an incredible reputation and two Oscar nominations who was personally chosen to play the Hogwarts headmaster by JK Rowling. He died in 2002 after a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease, having appeared in the first two Harry Potter movies, and was replaced by Michael Gambon.
John Hurt (22 January 1940 – 25 January 2017) – Garrick Ollivander
Sir John Hurt’s starry movie and TV career spanned 5 decades, playing memorable roles in Alien and The Elephant Man, for which he earned an Oscar nomination. He appeared as master wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in The Sorcerer’s Stone and both Deathly Hallows movies and featured in deleted scenes from The Goblet of Fire.
Robert Knox (21 August 1989 – 24 May 2008) – Marcus Belby
Killed tragically young, Robert Knox played Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He was due to return in The Deathly Hallows, but was stabbed to death on 24 May 2008 while defending his younger brother Jamie.
Dave Legeno (12 October 1963 – 2 or 3 July 2014) – Fenrir Greyback
Cast as the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback, Dave Legeno appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2. An imposing but mostly silent figure, Greyback took advantage of Legeno’s background as a cage fighter. He died while hiking in Death Valley, California.
Roger Lloyd-Pack (8 February 1944 – 15 January 2014) – Barty Crouch, Sr
Known mostly as a comedy actor in the UK, Roger Lloyd-Pack appeared in Only Fools & Horses and The Vicar of Dibley before being cast as Barty Crouch Jr for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He died of cancer in 2014.
Margery Mason (27 September 1913 – 26 January 2014) – Hogwarts Express Trolley Witch
Having qualified as a scuba diver at the age of 81, Margery Mason played the recast Trolley Witch in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the age of 92.
Rik Mayall (7 March 1958 – 9 June 2014) – Peeves (Cut role)
Those his role was cut, Rik Mayall, a comedy titan in the UK, was cast as Peeves the Poltergeist by Chris Columbus for The Sorcerer’s Stone. Mayall filmed at least one scene, but was cut after being deemed inconsequential to the plot. Mayall famously played key roles in The Young Ones, Drop Dead Fred, and Bottom.
Helen McCrory (17 August 1968 – 16 April 2021) – Narcissa Malfoy
The subject of a particularly emotional tribute in the Harry Potter reunion from both Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs, Helen McCrory played Narcissa Malfoy. She appeared in the final 3 Harry Potter movies, having originally been cast as Bellatrix Lestrange for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, before she was forced to pull out of the role when she was pregnant.
Alan Rickman (21 February 1946 – 14 January 2016) – Severus Snape
One of the true pillars of the Harry Potter movies, Alan Rickman was a hugely influential actor, having iconic played roles in Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Love Actually, and Galaxy Quest among many others. The Harry Potter Reunion revealed that he was the only actor to be given spoilers by JK Rowling.
Paul Ritter (20 December 1966 – 5 April 2021) – Eldred Worple
Having appeared in the likes of Friday Night Dinner, Quantum of Solace, and Chernobyl, Paul Ritter sadly died after a battle with cancer in 2021. He had appeared briefly as former Slug Club member Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, having made a name for himself as a writer and vampire researcher.
David Ryall (5 January 1935 – 25 December 2014) – Elphias Doge
Having replaced Peter Cartwright as Elphias Doge, David Ryall appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 as part of Bill Weasley’s wedding to Fleur Delacour. Ryall, who was a veteran of stage and film, died aged 79 in 2014.
Mary Selway (14 March 1936 – 21 April 2004) – Casting Director
The only non-actor mentioned in the In Memoriam tribute, Mary Selway was the casting director who’d worked with Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Clint Wastwood, and Robert Altman. Her death in 2004 was acknowledged with a tribute during the end credits of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Elizabeth Spriggs (18 September 1929 – 2 July 2008) – The Fat Lady
A veteran of the screen and an Olivier Award winner for her stage work, Elizabeth Spriggs played the original Fat Lady portrait in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. She was replaced by Dawn French for the character’s subsequent appearance in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Eric Sykes (4 May 1923 – 4 July 2012) – Frank Bryce
Comedy legend Eric Sykes came to the Harry Potter universe towards the end of an illustrious screen and radio career, playing the old caretaker Frank Bryce who is killed in the opening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Verne Troyer (January 1, 1969 – April 21, 2018) – Griphook
Before Warwick Davis took over the role for The Deathly Hallows, Verne Troyer played Gringotts goblin Griphook in The Philosopher’s Stone. He was perhaps best known as Mini Me in the Austin Powers movies, and tragically took his own life in April, 2018.
Christopher Whittingham (14 April, 1949 – 8 August, 2012) – Ministry Wizard
Predominantly a supporting actor in British TV roles, the final name on the Harry Potter Reunion In Memoriam tribute is Christopher Whittingham, who played a Ministry Wizard in The Goblet of Fire. He died after a 5 year battle with cancer in 2012.