RIP: Sir Michael Gambon, AKA Dumbledore 2

Sir Michael passed away in hospital of pneumonia, aged 82. While best known to American audiences for picking up the role of Dumbledore in the third and subsequent movies, I was introduced to him ages ago in The Singing Detective which is one heck of an introduction. He was a Shakespearean actor and once auditioned for the role of Bond, James Bond! Other films he appeared in include Toys, Gosford Park, Sleepy Hollow, and Johnny English Strikes Again. He appeared on Top Gear and took the final corner on two wheels, so impressing the hosts that they named the corner after him, The Gambon!

Great bit from the BBC obit: But he never took film as seriously as he did his stage work, even his appearance as Professor Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films, a role he inherited after the death of Richard Harris.

"I can't remember any of the films I've done," he once said. "You go from one to the other and they all blend into a big mass. I remember Harry Potter because of the costume I wore, just two layers of silk and carpet slippers. Very comfortable."

He was a great talent who left a great body of work with us. He shall be missed.

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66949848

BBC Obit: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39408742