The actor Sir Michael Gambon has died aged 82, his family has said.

He was best known for playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films.

The Dublin-born star worked in TV, film, theatre and radio over his five-decade career. He had won four Baftas.

His widow Lady Gambon and son Fergus said their "beloved husband and father" died peacefully in hospital with his family by his side, following a bout of pneumonia.

Sir Michael began his career as one of the original members of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre acting company in London. He went on to win three Olivier awards for performances in National Theatre productions.

He played French detective Jules Maigret in ITV series Maigret and was also known for his role as Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective on the BBC.

Sir Michael took on the role of Dumbledore - headmaster of wizarding school Hogwarts - in the hit Harry Potter series, based on JK Rowling's novels, after the death of Richard Harris in 2003.

He was nominated for Emmy awards for his role as Mr Woodhouse in an adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma in 2010, and for playing President Lyndon B Johnson in Path to War in 2002. He also got a Tony nomination in 1997 for a role in David Hare play Skylight.

The actor - known as "The Great Gambon" in acting circles - last appeared on stage in 2012 in a London production of Samuel Beckett's play All That Fall.

He was knighted for services to the entertainment industry in 1998.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1834 HRS, SEP 28, 2023
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