Michael Gambon, renowned for his portrayal of Professor Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" films and celebrated as one of Britain's finest actors, has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed his peaceful demise in a hospital, surrounded by his wife Anne and son Fergus, following a battle with pneumonia.
Gambon's breakthrough moment, earning him the nickname "the great Gambon" from actor Ralph Richardson, occurred with his performance in Brecht's "Life of Galileo" at London's National Theater in 1980, despite having already achieved modest success in plays by Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter.
Peter Hall, the National Theater's artistic director at the time, characterized Gambon as "unsentimental, dangerous, and immensely powerful." Hall's autobiography revealed that several leading directors initially rejected Gambon for the title role, deeming him insufficiently "starry."
However, John Dexter's decision to direct him in the demanding role transformed his career. Gambon's portrayal, which encompassed volcanic energy, tenderness, sensuality, and intelligence as he aged from 40 to 75 in the role, captivated not only critics but also his fellow actors, who applauded him from dressing-room windows after the premiere.
This performance earned him a best-actor nomination at the Olivier Awards. In another standout role as Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge" at the National in 1987, Gambon's blend of vulnerability and raw power impressed audiences and garnered him the award itself. Arthur Miller himself praised Gambon's performance as the embattled longshoreman as the best he had witnessed, while director Alan Ayckbourn described him as awe-inspiring.
Gambon's versatile career spanned television, where he took on roles such as Inspector Maigret, Edward VII, Oscar Wilde, and Winston Churchill. In film, he portrayed diverse characters, from the coarse and violent gangster Albert Spica in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" to the beloved Professor Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" series, succeeding Richard Harris in the role after Harris's passing in 2002.
Despite his simple response to interviewers about acting, stating, "I just do it," Gambon was known for his diligent preparation. He meticulously absorbed scripts and used rehearsals to refine and enrich his character interpretations. As he explained, he was very attuned to the physical aspects of a character, from their appearance to their mannerisms, rhythms, and even their choice of shoes. The sensation of the stage beneath his feet was crucial to his craft.