Michael Gambon was an Irish-English actor who was born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin, Ireland, and died on September 27, 2023, in Witham, Essex, England, at the age of 82.
He started his acting career with Laurence Olivier as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre and received three Olivier Awards and four BAFTA TV Awards over his six-decade-long career.
Gambon was known for his stage and screen work, and he won even wider renown as Dumbledore, the firm but kindly headmaster of the Hogwarts wizarding school, in the Harry Potter films.
He was also admired by generations of fellow actors and excelled in plays by Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett and Alan Ayckbourn.
Gambon was knighted in 1998 for services to drama.
Michael Gambon early life
Gambon born on October 19, 1940, in the Cabra suburb of Dublin, Ireland, during World War II.
His father, Edward Gambon, was an engineering operative during the war, and his mother, Mary, was a seamstress.
When Gambon was six, his father decided to seek work in the rebuilding of London, and the family moved to Mornington Crescent in London’s Camden borough.
He left school at the age of 15 and did not receive any formal training at drama school.
However, he acquired a degree in dramatic art while learning tool-making and began his stage career with small roles in Irish theater.
He joined the Unity Theatre at age 19 before forging an elaborate résumé in hopes of joining the fabled Gate Theatre in Dublin.
Gambon’s father had him made a British citizen, which would later allow Michael to receive an actual, rather than honorary, knighthood and CBE.
Michael Gambon cause of death
Gambon died at the age of 82 following a bout of pneumonia.
His family issued a statement confirming his death and asking for privacy at this painful time.
Gambon was born in Dublin, Ireland, and had an extensive career in TV, film, and radio, with one of his biggest roles being the psoriasis-ridden sleuth in the 1980s hit series, The Singing Detective.
He was also known for his passion for antique guns, clocks and classic cars.
Despite a long career on the stage in the U.K., Gambon appeared on Broadway only once, starring in David Hare’s play, Skylight, in 1996 and drawing a Tony nomination for best actor.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that affects one or both lungs.
It causes the air sacs, or alveoli, of the lungs to fill up with fluid or pus, which can make it difficult to breathe.
Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The most common causes are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe.
Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening, and it is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of pneumonia can include cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
Other symptoms may include chest pain, fatigue, sweating, and loss of appetite.
Diagnosis is usually made based on a thorough history and physical exam, as well as tests such as a chest X-ray, blood tests and a sputum culture.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of pneumonia, but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, and supportive care such as oxygen therapy.
It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have pneumonia, especially if you have a high fever, bloody or unusually colored mucus, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Michael Gambon career
Gambon joined the National Theatre, under the Artistic Directorship of Sir Laurence Olivier, and went on to appear in a number of leading roles in plays written by Alan Ayckbourn.
His career was catapulted in 1980 when he took the lead role in John Dexter’s production of Galileo.
Since then, Gambon regularly appeared at the Royal National Theatre and the RSC, playing roles such as King Lear, Othello, Mark Anthony and Volpone.
Gambon’s work on television earned him four BAFTA Awards for The Singing Detective (1986), Wives and Daughters (1999), Longitude (2000) and Perfect Strangers.
He was also known for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, replacing the late actor Richard Harris.
Gambon was made a CBE in 1992 and was knighted in 1998.
He was a qualified private pilot and loved cars.
Gambon was a very private person and preferred to back out of the limelight off-stage.
He was married to Anne Miller, and they had one child together.
Gambon was also in a long-term relationship with Philippa Hart, with whom he had two children.
