Actor Michael Gambon, known for playing the legendary Hogwarts director Albus Dumbledore in the well-known Harry Potter saga, has died at the age of 82, as confirmed by his family. The actor had been admitted to the hospital for several days, where he died due to pneumonia.
News that has left both his family and his colleagues and millions of admirers around the world devastated, as he was very loved and will be remembered for giving life to the "most powerful magician of all time."
Gambon began his career more than 60 years ago, being one of the original members of the famous Royal National Theatre, along with another great legend such as actor Laurence Olivier.
In addition to Albus Dubledore, the actor also became very popular for his portrayal of the French-born detective Jules Maigret in the series Maigret, broadcast on the British channel ITV.
His wife, Anne, and son, Fergus Gambon, were at his side at the time of his death. They were the ones who announced to the press his death and the cause, a pneumonia crisis.
"We are devastated to have to announce his loss," shared his publicist, Clair Dobbs, in the statement to the media. "We trust that his privacy will be respected at this very painful time. Thank you for all the messages of support and love."
The Irish actor began in the world of acting at the age of 21, after training as an engineer and realizing that he was not suitable for that profession and that his true passion was acting. More than 60 years of impeccable career in which he won four Bafta television awards and successful projects in radio and film.
His best-known project to date, however, was giving life to the mythical Albus Dumbledore in five of the seven films in the saga of the famous boy wizard, after the death of Richard Harris, who played him in his first two installments: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The actor also dedicated himself to other projects after the magical universe created by J.K. Rowling, such as the role of Sergeant Godfrey in Dad's Army or his participation in one of the most important films shot in the United Kingdom to date, The King's Speech (2010).
