28 September 2023 , 12:19
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Sir Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82 - eight years after he quit acting for good, following a long and illustrious career.
The late Harry Potter star 's whose tragic death was announced today in a statement by his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus. They 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. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."
Before his death, Michael had alluded to a number of issues with his health and hinted that he had been forced to quit acting because of his ongoing struggles.
The beloved actor previously revealed it took him "forever to learn" lines, leading to his exit from on-stage performing in 2015. Before stepping away from the limelight, Michael says he was 'heartbroken and frightened' by how his experience had changed. The veteran star shared his upset at having to use an ear pierce as a prompt in his 70s.
"It's a horrible thing to admit but I can't do it. It breaks my heart. It's when the script is in front of me and it takes forever to learn. It's frightening," he once admitted, sharing worries he was developing Alzheimer's. He was later given the all-clear.
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Sir Michael Gambon has died aged 82 (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
He once made a heartbreaking acting admission (PA)The multi-award-winning actor decided he would only play roles with prompts, if he wasn't able to have any guidance, he'd need a script with 'very few words'. At the time, aged 74, he'd told Sunday Times Magazine his days were numbered when he was asked to read for a new play in the West End.
"There was a girl in the wings and I had a plug in my ear so she could read me the lines," he said. "And after about an hour I thought, this can't work. You can’t be in theatre, free on stage shouting and screaming and running around, with someone reading you your lines."
It was in 2009 that Sir Gambon was twice rushed to A&E at St Thomas' hospital in London from rehearsals at the National Theatre after suffering panic attacks. He'd enjoyed a glistening career, including of course his role as Professor Dumbledore in the final six Harry Potter films.
He played Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films (Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar)One of his last theatre performances included no dialogue at all, a show he loved performing due to his issues with scripts. "It was brilliant. I just had to do a range of facial expressions," he said at the time, after also playing a blind man in another show.
The Harry Potter legend's family shared news of his Sir Gambon's sad death in a statement this afternoon. A statement shared on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs read: "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. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."
The Irish-born British actor's career spanned across nearly five decades, winning four BAFTAs, two RTS Awards and an Olivier. However, he is best known by Harry Potter fans for his role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the JK Rowling series from 2004 until 2008, taking over from original actor Richard Harris following his death.
Among celebrities paying tribute include David Baddiel, who tweeted: "First time I ever went to see any Theatre with a capital T it was Michael Gambon in Brecht’s Life Of Galileo at The National in 1980. It’s still the best stage acting I’ve ever seen. RIP." While Jeremy Clarkson wrote: "I’m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died. He was hugely amusing, and such a tremendous guest, we even named a corner after him."