Actor Sir Michael Gambon is better known for the role he played in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films. He portrayed Professor Albus Dumbledore. Other notable credits include “Gosford Park”, “The Casual Vacancy”, and “The King’s Speech.”

His family released a statement on Thursday, September 28, 2023, sharing the sad news that Gambon has died at the age of 82 years old. The statement was released by his publicist, Clair Dobbs, on behalf of his family. The statement explains, “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.”

Gambon died from complications from pneumonia. His family was with him at the hospital at the time of his death, where he “died peacefully.” He is survived by his wife, Anne, and his son, Fergus.

Gambon was born in Ireland in 1940. His father was an engineer, and at first, he tried to follow in his father’s footsteps. He completed an apprenticeship that made him qualified to be an engineer, but what he really wanted to be was an actor. 

In 1962, he became one of the founding members of the National Theatre at London’s Old Vic. Other founding members included Derek Jacobi and Maggie Smith.

Throughout his career, Gambon acted both on stage and on screen. He was nominated for multiple awards and won multiple times. He won the Olivier Award three times, the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award two times, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards four times. In 1998, he was knighted as a result of his contributions to dramatic arts.

While Gambon is best known for his role as Dumbledore, he previously admitted that he never read any of the “Harry Potter” books. Regardless, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling still thought highly of him.

Upon hearing the news of Gambon’s death, Rowling posted a tribute to him on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, “I’ve just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon. The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you’d told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I’d written, I’d have thought you were insane. Michael was a wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him.”

I’ve just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon. The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you’d told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I’d written, I’d have thought you were insane. Michael was a wonderful man in additional…

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 28, 2023

Watch the video below to learn more about Gambon’s life, acting career and his recent death.