ACTOR · BORN 1940 · DIED 2023

Michael Gambon

Born

19 October 1940, Cabra, Dublin, Ireland

Died

27 September 2023

Known for

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), Judy (2019), Toys (1992), Amazing Grace (2006)

13 archived facts · 5 topics · 1 source · Last reviewed Nov 2026

Michael Gambon (19 October 1940 – 27 September 2023) was an actor best known for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Judy and Toys.

13 Interesting Facts About Michael Gambon

Interesting Facts (5)

1. #001

   While appearing on the BBC programme "Top Gear", Gambon took part in the series' regular "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment. He took the track's final corner on two wheels, and in honour of that feat the series' presenters named the corner "Gambon" from then on.

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2. #002

   He disliked doing interviews and once said he lied to make them more interesting. When someone asked Gambon whether he had trouble playing a gay man, he said it was easy because he used to be gay but had to give it up because it made his eyes water.

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3. #003

   For years, Michael Gambon claimed to carry a signed photograph of Robert De Niro and to have met him, but the two had in fact never met. He was directed by De Niro in The Good Shepherd (2006).

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4. #004

   Michael Gambon was a great admirer of Peter O'Toole.

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5. #005

   Despite playing Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) onward, Michael Gambon never read any of the 7 Harry Potter books and did not watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) or Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).

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Behind the Scenes (1)

6. #006

   Despite playing Dumbledore after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Gambon never read any of the 7 Harry Potter books or watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) or Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).

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Characters & Cast (3)

7. #007

   On 8 February 2015, at the age of 74, he announced that he was retiring from stage acting because long-standing problems with his memory were making it increasingly difficult to remember his lines. For several years before that, he had relied on an earpiece through which he could be prompted if he forgot his lines.

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8. #008

   After George Lazenby left the series, he auditioned for the role of James Bond but was rejected because they did not want to hire another unknown.

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9. #009

   He twice played two roles previously played by Richard Harris. The first was the character Jules Maigret, whom Richard Harris portrayed in a 1988 television film, and the second was Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films.

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Career & Awards (3)

10. #010

    In 1986 (the 1985 season), Michael Gambon was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy Performance for "A Chorus of Disapproval".

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11. #011

    Michael Gambon won the 1987 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in A View from the Bridge.

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12. #012

    Michael Gambon won the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for Best Actor for his performances in The Caretaker at the Comedy Theatre and Cressida at the Albery Theatre.

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Life & Family (1)

13. #013

    Michael Gambon played two Kings of England: King Edward VII in The Lost Prince (2003) and his son King George V in The King's Speech (2010). He also played United States President Lyndon Johnson in Path to War (2002).

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