Michael Gambon, who was known for his iconic role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise, died in hospital aged 82.

In a heartbreaking statement, his grieving family confirmed the news of his passing. “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 added: “We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

The role of Professor Dumbledor was initially played by Richard Harris. When he passed away in 2002 after the first two movies, Gambon played the part from ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ to ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2.’

While his role in Harry Potter films found him a huge fanbase, Gambon had long been praised as one of the leading actors in Britain.

His work spanned theater, film, TV and radio, and over his career, he starred in a great number of movies, including The King’s Speech, Gosford Park, and Paddington.

The actor recently appeared in the Judy Garland biopic Judy, which came out in 2019.

Co-stars described Gambon as a funny man, with actress Helen Mirren remembering his ‘natural Irish sense of humor – naughty but very, very funny.’

Fiona Shaw told BBC on Thursday: “He did once say to me in a car ‘I know I go on a lot about this and that, but actually, in the end, there is only acting’.”

“I think he was always pretending that he didn’t take it seriously, but he took it profoundly seriously,” Shaw added.

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