Daniel Radcliffe: Emotional words on the death of Michael Gambon

“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe (34) mourns the loss of his long-time colleague and co-star Michael Gambon (1940-2023). In a lengthy statement, Radcliffe said the world had lost a touch of magic and fun. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant and straightforward actors I have ever had the privilege of working with,” Radcliffe is quoted as saying.

Despite his “immense talent,” what he will remember most is how much fun he had at his job: “He was silly, irreverent and hilarious.” Gambon loved his work, but never seemed to be defined by it, Radcliffe continued. Together they appeared in front of the camera in six of the eight “Harry Potter” film adaptations. The Irish-British actor Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” in 2004 after the previous actor Richard Harris (1930-2002) died.

Daniel Radcliffe: “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him”

According to Radcliffe, his colleague was an “incredible story and joke teller” who had a habit of blurring fact and fiction when, for example, speaking to journalists. That made him a “pleasant part” of the countless “Harry Potter” press conferences. The time on set made Gambon “more unforgettable and happier.” “I’m so sad to hear that he died, but I’m so grateful to be one of the lucky people who got to work with him,” said Radcliffe.

According to British media reports, Michael Gambon died at the age of 82 as a result of pneumonia. He died peacefully in hospital alongside his wife Anne and son Fergus. In addition to the “Harry Potter” films, Gambon was also known from numerous other major Hollywood productions, including roles in films such as “Sleepy Hollow” (1999) and “Gosford Park” (2001).