Michael Gambon’s Harry Potter Costars Honor Dumbledore Actor After His Death: He Was ‘Magnificent’

Michael Gambon Harry Potter Costars raise their wands to the late actor.

Following the news of Gambon’s death at the age of 82 on Thursday, James Phelps and Jason Isaacs paid tribute to the star who played Dumbledore in the film Harry Potter films starting in 2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

“The Magnificent Michael Gambon Has Died,” Isaacs, 60, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I learned what acting can be from Michael in The Singing Detective – complex, vulnerable and utterly human.”

“The biggest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, dirty sense of fun with me,” added the actor, who appeared in most of the films as the villainous Lucius Malfoy. Harry Potter movies.

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James, who played Fred Weasley in the films, shared a touching story about Gambon from the set in 2009. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where they “spent many hours” together.

“He was always very funny and hospitable share any knowledge he had” tweeted the 37-year-old actor, whose twin brother Oliver Phelps played Fred’s twin brother George Weasley.

James went on to recall the “intense” clock tower scene near the end of the film. But in between set-ups, Gambon helped the Phelps twins prepare for another project they were working on: reading. Peter and the wolf with the Manchester Hallé Orchestra, which was something Gambon was familiar with.

“So we spent what was supposed to be his downtime at my weekend gig,” James wrote. “It’s 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 con artist” who “changed his career incredibly and never judged what he was doing, he was just acting”, writes The Guardian .

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). Everett

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in year eight Potter movies, shared a picture of Gambon as Dumbledore from 2004 Prisoner of Azkaban on Instagram and wrote that she was “forever in awe of Michael’s presence and performance.”

“His deep mischievous voice between scenes would vibrate through the great hall,” Wright, 32, said. “He was completely Dumbledore as a constant, warm and guiding figure. Rest in peace Michael. Sending love to his family ❤️”

Gambon took over the role of Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore after the death of Richard Harris in October 2002. Harris played Dumbledore in the first two films of the series. Richard’s son, actor Jared Harris, chirped on Thursday Gambona: “Hilarious! A brilliant actor. I’ve seen him on stage a few times and he lives in my mind forever. He took over Dumbledore from my father, which was fitting because he took over from Brando as my father’s favorite actor.”

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.

Warner Brothers / courtesy of Everett

In addition to his celebrated career in theater and television, Gambon has achieved memorable roles in films such as toys (1992), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Gosford Park (2001) and 2010 The King’s Speech, in which he played King George V and was among the cast that won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. He was also nominated for two Emmy Awards and won four BAFTA Awards.

In 2012, Gambon received the Richard Harris Award from the British Independent Film Awards, an honor that recognizes an actor who has made a significant contribution to British film. In 1998, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter’. Actors Warner Bros. ‘Harry Potter’: Where are they now?

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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