Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and JK Rowling pay tribute Harry Potter star Michael Gambon.
After news of Gambon’s death broke Thursday, the three Harry Potter the main actors of the franchise and the author of the series Rowling spoke about the loss of their former colleague.
Sharing a photo of Gambon as Dumbledore, arms outstretched in welcome to Hogwarts students gathered in the Great Hall, Grint, 35, wrote: “So sad to hear about Michael.”
“He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He charmed me as a kid and became my personal role model for finding fun and eccentricity in life,” he continued. “Sending all my love to his family.”
In her own tribute to GambonRowling, 58, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that she had “just heard the terrible news” of his death and shared the story of “the first time I saw him”, in the production of the 1982 film. King Lear.
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“If you had told me then that this brilliant actor would appear in anything I wrote, I would have thought you were crazy,” the author tweeted. “Michael was a wonderful man as well as being an amazing actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also on The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go out to Michael’s family and everyone who loved him.”
Radcliffe, who worked closely with Gambon during the film series, told PEOPLE in a statement that “the world just got a lot less fun” with the news of Gambon’s death.
“Michael Gambon was one of the most effortlessly brilliant actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, what I’ll remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job,” Radcliffe said in a statement. “He was silly, irreverent and funny. He loved his job, but it never seemed to define him. He was an incredible storyteller and joker, and his habit of blurring the lines between fact and fiction when talking to the press meant that and he was one of the funnest people you could ever want to do a press trip with.”
“In the sixth film, I spent the most time working with Michael and he made the hours spent in front of the green screen more memorable and joyful than they had any right to be,” added Radcliffe. “I’m so sad to hear of his passing, but I’m so grateful for the fact that I’m one of the lucky ones who got to work with him.”
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter series. Warner Bros. The memory of Harry Potter Actors we’ve lost over the years
Watson shared a picture of Gambon in Prisoner of Azkaban on her Instagram Story on Thursday afternoon, writing in the caption: “Kind, kind, kind Michael Gambon. You never took it too seriously, but you somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the seriousness. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to wear size lightly. We will miss you. xx”
Gambon took over the role of Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore following the death of Richard Harris in October 2002 at the age of 72. (Harris played Dumbledore in the first two films of the series.)
Gambon died “peacefully” at the hospital, his rep 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,” began the statement shared on Thursday. “A 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 years old.”
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love,” the statement concluded.
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