Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe pays tribue to Michael Gambon
Harry Potter star Michael Gambon's family have confirmed he has died in hospital at the age of 82, leading to tributes from Daniel Radcliffe and others.
The actor is best known for playing Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the Wizarding World films.
Throughout his lengthy career, Gambon also starred in Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox, the Paddington films, and The Singing Detective.
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The actor's family announced the news of his death on Thursday (September 28) in a statement issued on behalf of his wife and son.
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," the statement read. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia."
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Among those paying tribute was his former Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe, who told Entertainment Weekly: "With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun.
"Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I've ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it."
Radcliffe also reminisced about getting to work with Gambon most closely on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
"The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael," Radcliffe wrote. "He made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. I'm so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him."
Gambon began his acting career in theatre productions and was one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre in London alongside Laurence Olivier.
Having made his acting debut in a production of Othello in Dublin in 1962, Gambon went on to perform in a number of plays in the UK, US and Germany.
Making the leap from stage to screen in 1965, the actor returned to Shakespeare as he starred in a movie adaptation of Othello.
He went on to star in a number of beloved films including Sleepy Hollow, Gosford Park, and The King’s Speech.
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However, most film fans remember Gambon for his iconic portrayal of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise where he starred alongside the likes of Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Daniel Radcliffe.
The actor took over the role in the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, replacing the late Richard Harris.
Gambon was highly awarded throughout his over five-decade acting career, having won a total of four BAFTAs.
In 1998 the actor received a knighthood for his services to the entertainment industry.
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