By Mark Gray
2:40pm PDT, Sep 29, 2023
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Michael Gambon — the beloved actor who played Professor Albus Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" film series — died at 82 from pneumonia, his family announced on Sept. 28.
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," his rep said in a statement. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia."
After the news broke, many of Michael's friends and former co-stars publicly mourned his passing on social media.
Keep reading to see how the "Harry Potter" family and other famouse faces are remembering the star…
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"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. He was an incredible story and joke teller and his habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists meant that he was also one of the most entertaining people with whom you could ever wish to do a press junket.
"The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael and 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." –"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, in a statement to USA Today
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"Kind kind kind Michael Gambon. You never took it too seriously but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly. We will miss you. Xx" –"Harry Potter" star Emma Watson
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"I was so lucky to work alongside Sir Michael Gambon in Robert Altman's Gosford Park. Though he was in his sixties at the time and I was 25, we got along like schoolmates due to his irrepressibly youthful spirit. The car rides home from work, in his vintage convertible, at breakneck speed, with the Stones full volume on the radio, will stay with me forever.. Rest in peace, mate." —Ryan Phillippe
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"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, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael's family and everyone who loved him." –"Harry Potter" author J. K. Rowling
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"RIP Michael Gambon, 82. A true acting great. He once told me: 'All I've ever wanted to do was act – but these modern celebrities want a quick buck with no talent or hard work required. It's awful.' 'What would you call this type of person?' I asked. 'I'd call them a cretin.'" –Piers Morgan
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"Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend" –"Harry Potter" star James Phelps
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"Magnificent Michael Gambon has died. I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective – complex, vulnerable and utterly human. The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me." –"Harry Potter" star Jason Isaacs
