Daniel Radcliffe remembers ‘brilliant’ “Harry Potter” costar Michael Gambon: ‘I’m so sad’
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe feels that the world has lost a touch of magic after the death of his franchise costar, Sir Michael Gambon.
“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun,” the 34-year-old actor tells EW in a statement, after starring with Gambon — who portrayed Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore — in six series films. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it.”
Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection Michael Gambon and Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Harry Potter’
Radcliffe goes on to label Gambon, who took over the role of Dumbledore from Richard Harris, who died before the release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, “an incredible story and joke teller” who had a “habit of blurring the lines of fact and fiction when talking to journalists” that made him an enjoyable part of the innumerable Harry Potter press junkets.
“The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael,” Radcliffe continues. “He made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. I’m so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him.”
News broke Thursday that Gambon died after a bout with pneumonia. He was a prolific and widely respected performer on both stage and screen, with four BAFTA Awards, two SAG Awards, and two Emmy nominations to his credit.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
Related content: