'Harry Potter' actor Michael Gambon aka Dumbledore passes away at 82

Actor Sir Michael Gambon, aka Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 82. The actor was a screen legend who took over the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films (3 to 8) from Richard Harris, who played the role in the first two Harry Potter films but passed away in 2002.

While several Harry Potter fans took to social media and have been mourning and paying their tributes, other Potterheads to to social media to send condolences, particularly by 'raising their wands' and sharing the legend's memorable lines. The official Instagram handle of the Harry Potter films, owned by the production house Warner Bros, posted a black-and-white picture of Gambon in his Dumbledore avatar, opening the door of Hogwarts. The caption read, “We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon. He brought immeasurable joy to Harry Potter fans from all over the world with his humour, kindness and grace. We will forever hold his memory in our hearts.”

The Harry Potter stars also did not cease to offer their tributes, where Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter himself, said the "brilliant, effortless" actor "loved his job but never seemed defined by it". Emma Watson, aka Hermoine Granger, thanked Sir Michael for "showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly". Writer and creator JK Rowling hailed a "wonderful man" and "outstanding actor".

The Dublin-born actor, who died in hospital after a bout of pneumonia, worked in TV, film, theatre and radio in his six-decade career and won four BAFTAs.

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