- Written by Lauren Turner & John Hand
- BBC news
Watch: A look back at Sir Michael Gambon’s career
Sir Michael Gambon’s Harry Potter co-stars, who played Professor Albus Dumbledore in six films, are among those paying tribute to the stage and screen legend who has died aged 82. be.
Daniel Radcliffe said the “intelligent, effortless” actor “loved his job, but never seemed defined by it.”
Rupert Grint said his “personal role models” “bred so much warmth and mischief to every day on set.”
Author JK Rowling praised him, calling him a “wonderful man” and “an outstanding actor.”
Another Potter star, Fiona Shaw, said Sir Michael had shown in his long and varied life that he was “capable of anything” as an actor.
The Dublin-born actor, who died in hospital after a bout of pneumonia, worked in television, film, stage and radio during a 60-year career. He won his four British Academy Awards.
Sir Michael’s family moved to London as a child, but he first appeared on stage in Ireland in 1962 in a production of Othello in Dublin.
His career began when he became one of the original members of Laurence Olivier’s National Theater Company of London. He won his three Olivier Awards for his performance in the National Theater production.
Although he always considered his work in theater to be his most important, he achieved critical acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s with significant roles in television and film.
These included the groundbreaking and controversial BBC One drama The Singing Detective, in which he played the detective of the same name in author Dennis Potter’s complex story.
He played a very different detective, Jules Maigret of Paris, in two series of ITV’s adaptations of Georges Simenon’s classic novels, and in 1985 he starred in a three-part series for BBC Two focusing on the author’s criminal trial and imprisonment. He played Oscar Wilde in the Composition series.
One of his most memorable film roles was in 1989’s The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, playing a gluttonous and irredeemable “thief.”
Dame Helen Mirren, who played his unfaithful wife, described him as a “naughty but very, very funny” friend.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on This Weekend’s Sunday, Dame Helen revealed how during the filming and when she appeared on stage in Antony and Cleopatra seven years ago, she was able to make her “constantly laugh.” “It was?” he recalled.
She added that the two recently talked about getting older and how it affects their work.
She said Sir Michael was “completely pragmatic” about her situation. “He found it increasingly difficult to remember his lines, which I really relate to, and it took him away from theater,” she said.
Sir Michael played Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films
image source, Getty Images
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe described Sir Michael as one of the most “fabulous, hardworking” actors around.
Other notable film roles in the following decade included starring opposite Hollywood’s biggest names in blockbusters such as Toys, Sleepy Hollow, and Gosford Park. He also had time for a comedic cameo as the Prime Minister in Ali G. Inda House.
“Splendid Trickster”
However, when fellow acting giant Richard Harris passed away in 2002, Sir Michael accepted the challenge to replace him as Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, in the blockbuster Harry Potter series.
In a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), the book’s author, JK Rowling, said: “I first saw him in King Lear in 1982. If you told me that, I’m sure that great actor would do it.” If it came up in anything I wrote, I would have thought you were crazy.
“Michael was not only a great actor, but a wonderful person. I absolutely loved working with him not only on ‘Potter’ but also on ‘Casual Vacancy.’
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, worked with Sir Michael throughout his teenage years, saying: “Michael Gambon is one of the most wonderful and hardworking people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.” But despite his immense talent, what I remember most about him is that he was so much fun to work with.”
Recalling Sir Michael’s habit of “blurring the line between fact and fiction” when speaking to journalists at press conferences, Mr Radcliffe added: “He was silly, irreverent, and hilarious.” He loved his job, but didn’t seem to be defined by it. ”
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the series, said on social media: “I learned from Michael on The Singing Detective what it means to be complex, vulnerable and completely human.
“The biggest thrill of being in a Potter movie was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, dirty playfulness with me.”
Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the film, told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “He made a remarkable change in his career and never criticized what he was doing, he just acted. ” he said.
She said she always thought of him as “a trickster, just a brilliant, wonderful trickster,” adding, “There was no one like him in the text. He could do anything.”
image source, Getty Images
The actor had a brilliant career in theater.
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the film, also called Sir Michael a “legend” in a tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He also recalled that Sir Michael once offered to cross the line when he appeared in Peter and the Wolf with Manchester Halle Orchestra one weekend.
“We spent what was supposed to be his downtime for my weekend performance. It’s a memory I’ll always have as one of the highlights of my[Harry Potter]days. ” he said.
Dame Joan Collins, who played Sir Michael’s wife in the BBC sitcom Mum’s Back in 1993, described him as “a wonderful actor and great fun”.
Sir Michael’s long-time friend Dame Eileen Atkins said on BBC Radio 4’s The World at One that Sir Michael was “a great actor, but he always pretended he didn’t take himself too seriously.” ” and said that his presence on stage was great.
“He just walked on stage and immediately directed the entire audience,” she said. “There’s something very sweet about him, and even though this big man may seem very scary, there was something incredibly sweet inside Michael.”
She added: “I’ll always remember that man.”
image source, Getty Images
Sir Michael co-starred with Sir Michael Caine in the 2018 film King of Thieves.
“The Great Gambon”
Other films he worked on in later years alongside the Potter films included the big screen version of Dad’s Army and The King’s Speech, in which he played King George V, the stuttering father of King George VI. and so on.
He was nominated for an Emmy Award for playing Mr. Woodhouse in the 2010 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, and for his portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 2002’s Road to War. Ta. He was also nominated for a Tony Award in 1997 for his role in David Hare. Play Skylight.
He was knighted in 1998 for services to the entertainment industry. Although he was born in Ireland, he acquired British citizenship at an early age.
The actor known in the acting world as “The Great Gambon” last appeared on stage in 2012 in a London production of Samuel Beckett’s play All That Fall.
American actor Ryan Phillippe said he felt “very lucky” to work with Sir Michael on Gosford Park. Sir Michael was in his 60s at the time and he was only 25, but “thanks to his irrepressible youth, they became as close as school friends,” he recalled.
“Driving home from work in a vintage convertible, driving at breakneck speed with the Stones on the radio at full blast. Will be with me forever. Rest in peace, buddy,” he wrote. Posted on.
Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), paid tribute to him, saying, “He was a wonderful actor. Whether he was playing Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all in every performance.” expressed.
Additional reporting by Rachel Russell.