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Michael Gambon Alamy Stock Photo

Tributes paid to Michael Gambon, the Dublin-born star of stage, screen and Harry Potter films

The four-time Bafta winner has died aged 82.

LAST UPDATE | 28 Sep 2023

ACTOR MICHAEL GAMBON has died at the age of 82, his family has confirmed.

The four-time Bafta winner was born in Cabra and started his stage acting career in the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

He became a household name when he took on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series. He also played many other roles in film, television and theatre throughout this career, including the BBC drama The Singing Detective, for which he won his Baftas; Gosford Park; Sleepy Hollow; and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.

A statement on behalf of his wife Anne Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

“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,” the statement said.

“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Gambon, calling him “one of the finest actors of his generation” in a statement this afternoon.

“Having won recognition as an exceptional talent very early in his career, on stage, film, television and radio. More recently, a new generation of children and adults came to know him for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” films,” President Higgins said.

“However, his was a talent delivered over six decades. As an actor he seemed boundless, be it through his work with Sir Laurence Oliver’s National Theatre in London, to his performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. His friendship with the late Peter O’Toole reflected a commitment to the importance of work on stage that they shared.”

He said his achievements as an actor in several of Samuel Beckett’s plays, including at the Gate in Dublin, was part of a career “that included performances in the work of so many of the major playwrights of his time, including Harold Pinter”.

“Sir Michael Gambon leaves a great body of work that will remain as a compelling legacy, and a reminder to all who appreciated his work, of all that he accomplished.”

The President also expressed his condolences to Gambon’s wife Anne, his son Fergus and wider family, and to his fellow artists and many friends.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also paid tribute to Gambon, posting on social media that he was “a great actor”.

“Whether performing in Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all to every performance,” Varadkar said.

Rupert Grint, who starred as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise, remembered the “warmth and mischief” Gambon brought to set as he paid tribute.

“He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family, Rupert”, he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the actor dressed in full Dumbledore regalia.

Actor James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films, tweeted that Gambon was “a legend” both “on and off camera”.

Fellow Harry Potter castmate Fiona Shaw told BBC Radio 4 this afternoon that Gambon was a “magnificent trickster” and that “there was nothing like him – he could do anything”.

The Warner Brothers studio said it was “incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon”.

“He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts.”

Helen Mirren recalled working alongside Gambon in 1982’s Antony And Cleopatra, and hailed him as an “extraordinary actor”.

She told BBC News she would smile when she thinks of him, adding: “Because he was incredibly funny. He had this natural Irish sense of humour, naughty but very, very funny. He was enormously self-deprecating, and at the same time an instinctive actor and a wonderful person to be around just in general.

“He kept me constantly in laughter, we had some very funny moments playing Antony and Cleopatra together.”

Mirren added that he made an “extraordinary contribution to the British landscape of theatre”, saying: “We will all miss him a lot.”

Julia Roberts also described working with Gambon on the 1996 film Mary Reilly as an “honour”, writing on Instagram: “He was always smiling, always kind. RIP Sir Michael Gambon. #legend.”

Additional reporting from Press Association

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    Mute Larry K
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:07 PM

    Porridge most days but sometimes treat myself to a bowl of wheetabix!! I’m living the dream

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:11 PM

    You rebel you.

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    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:23 PM

    4 weetabix and hot milk, 1 Actimel, 1 half glass of Tropicana orange juice, it use to be a fag and a cup of tea, thanks to e.cig I look forward to my breakfast, a year in October.

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:24 PM

    Fair play to you Peadar.

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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:32 PM

    Jaysus, a fu€king Irish water jibe on an article about breakfast! Get on to politics.ie and moan all you want there

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:53 PM

    Wha?

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    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:54 PM

    Cheers Jane.

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    Mute Carmo Vanderval
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:55 PM

    Wait I’ll fix this:

    I’d have a glass of water only I can’t afford it. Wha?

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    Mute andrew haire
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    Aug 31st 2015, 4:33 PM

    Four weetabix ? I’d say you’re quare and windy after that. Enjoy.

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 31st 2015, 4:50 PM

    Thanks carmo

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    Mute Sarah Clifford
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    Aug 31st 2015, 5:45 PM

    Not so healthy either that’s just a big load of sugar

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    Mute GameOverMan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:22 PM

    Breakfast is the reason i get out of bed…

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    Mute TotalScrotal
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:14 PM

    Porridge isn’t boring,theres about a million different ways to spice it up,cinnamon and raisin one of my favorites.
    It’s cheaper, healthier and will keep you satisfied for longer than whatever super laden crap purveyor you have lined up to sponsor these article’s

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    Mute TotalScrotal
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:15 PM

    Sugar laden

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    Mute Denise Houlihan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 3:54 PM

    Sliced banana in the bowl, porridge on top. Chopped nuts and berries on top and a good drizzle of honey. Delish! Good to go til lunchtime.

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    Mute Joanna
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:29 PM

    Is it still breakfast if I have it a couple of hours after getting up? I’m usually not hungry till then.

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    Mute Bobby Jones
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:19 PM

    just a coffee :(

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    Mute AARO-SAURUS
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:33 PM

    A box of amber leaf for me.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Aug 31st 2015, 4:09 PM

    Jaysus, I couldn’t have a whole box myself!!

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    Mute AARO-SAURUS
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    Aug 31st 2015, 4:11 PM

    The breakfast of Champions.

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    Mute Caoimhe Katie
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:39 PM

    I jump outta me leaba every morning for two poachers.

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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:10 PM

    Egg, bacon and spinach wrap, everyday.

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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:30 PM

    as in crispy american bacon :)

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    Mute Lily
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:12 PM

    I personally not a breakfast fan. I am in work at 7 and have lunch at 1 thats my breakfast, rarely will I have breakfast on my day off, if I do its usually a fry or poched eggs n toast.

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    Mute liam ward
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:06 PM

    Can’t afford to eat breakfast every morning with d price of it gone sky high n this government wants me to pay for more like Irish water I’ll go to jail first I’d be better fed roof over my head and a cot to lie in best of Al no bills to worry about

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:11 PM

    Ffs

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    Mute Rebel Rebel
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:11 PM

    ye the price of corn flakes is fierce shocking these days.

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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:12 PM

    Liam don’t forget you also get payed.

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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:12 PM

    Yeah, the government and their cornflakes tax, b@stards.

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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:26 PM

    Bejasus I know times are hard but surely a bowl of porridge or a slice of toast is within most people’s budget unless of course you are homeless which thanks to this and the last government is increasing.

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:42 PM

    Do see lots of workers grabbing a container of coffee and rushing out to the van or car . Not for me

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    Mute andrew haire
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:08 PM

    Or porridge Liam. With milk about 20c, very good for you. Just a little water required.

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:38 PM

    Full bowl of porridge every am tea and toast.

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    Mute Sticky Micky
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:09 PM

    It’s not the most important meal of the day…. Look up intermittent fasting

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    Mute josecafe
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:12 PM

    I can imagine what you do instead of eating when fasting sticky.

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    Mute Sticky Micky
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:15 PM

    Have to conserve energy on a fast

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    Mute josecafe
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:55 PM

    so you sit back and get someone else do it sticky good man.

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    Mute Sticky Micky
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    Sep 1st 2015, 11:56 AM

    I like a bit of jam on it

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    Mute David Mc Gloin
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:22 PM

    Ostrich fillet diced and pan-fried in full fat butter with spinach and sweet potato with 3 hard boiled eggs..

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    Mute selfsustainable
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    Aug 31st 2015, 2:42 PM

    Notions^^^

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    Mute AARO-SAURUS
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    Aug 31st 2015, 4:11 PM

    Notions overdose.

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    Mute paul farrell
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    Aug 31st 2015, 6:39 PM

    Weetabix every morning

    4
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