Summary
- Sir Michael Gambon’s portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films was iconic and deeply influenced fans’ perception of the character.
- Gambon’s interpretation of Dumbledore evolved from a sweet and caring figure to a cryptic and stern sorcerer with a dark sense of humor and mysterious intentions.
- Gambon’s legacy as Dumbledore left a lasting impact on future actors who took on the role, including Jude Law, in the Fantastic Beasts movies, as they maintained the character’s duality and enigmatic nature.
The Wizarding World mourns the loss of Sir Michael Gambon, who passed away at 82 on 27 September. From fans gathering at Universal Studios to honor him to fellow actors paying their condolences and sharing fond memories of him, every Harry Potter enthusiast bids farewell to one of the most iconic actors from the saga. Gambon portrayed Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts School for Witches and Wizards, a powerful leader against Lord Voldemort, and Harry Potter’s mentor and one of the many fatherly figures to the boy who lived.
Needless to say, Michael Gambon was much more than Dumbledore. This Irish-English actor made his stage debut in 1962 (around 22 years old) and had multiple theater, film, and TV roles until 2019. With a classical background and holistic experience, he brought a lot to the plate as he became one of the most important sorcerers in the cinematic versions of J.K. Rowling’s book. Despite the author’s elaborate descriptions of her characters and their personalities, most of them changed deeply when adapted to the silver screen, one marked by both the cinematography and the casting.
Albus Dumbledore was a special case, as he was played by two different actors in the Harry Potter films and also recast for the Fantastic Beasts franchise to show a younger version of one of the most powerful wizards in this universe. Gambon lives on to this day as the most iconic representation of Albus Dumbledore, and here’s a look at what he brought to the table and how he changed the character forever.
The Evolution of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Saga
As mentioned, Dumbledore’s representation was very different back when the first two Harry Potter movies premiered. It was Richard Harris, another renowned Irish actor and singer. Hesitant to accept a role that would commit him for at least a decade, Harris couldn’t refuse after his 11-year-old granddaughter pressured him to take the part due to her love for the books.
It was perhaps this particular relationship or his gently comedic style that made Richard depict Dumbledore in a more loving nature. This aspect of Hogwarts’ headmaster was undoubtedly present in the books, but through Harris’ interpretation, Dumbledore came across as a sweet old man who deeply cared about Harry Potter, almost in a grand-fatherly way. Many of the most tender moments of the first two movies (such as Harry’s encounter with the Erised Mirror) showed a caring man with a silver beard. This depiction was pretty much in tune with the events of The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, which were more light-hearted, even with the darker and more mature themes already showing up by the latter book/film.
Michael Gambon (among other potential actors) was chosen to come into the franchise at a pivotal point, with Harris’ sad passing after suffering from pneumonia in the hospital (just like Gambon’s death). Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third installment in the series, takes a darker turn of events. When the protagonist became a full-blown teenager, his adventures turned grimmer. This demanded a shift in his relationships with those around him, especially authority figures like Dumbledore.
Sir Michael Gambon had the responsibility of interpreting this version of the school’s headmaster, and the loving grandfather figure evolved into a cryptic and stern sorcerer with a bizarre sense of humor and a curious yet authentic way of showing affection. From the third to the sixth film, Dumbledore learned to treat Harry almost as an equal, even if he was still mentoring him at all times, and their mature conversations were an excellent excuse for Gambon to transmit an aura of mystery with room for sympathy toward his closest allies.
Gambon’s Legacy as Dumbledore
Dumbledore’s duality was probably the most significant quality of Gambon’s interpretation. To this day, many fans question Albus’ motives with Harry and how he came across as a manipulative figure, playing the battle against Voldemort in a chess game with Harry and his friends. Questionable or not, the fact that the doubt exists is a result of the magnificently nuanced acting of Sir Michael Gambon.
Gambon’s Dumbledore undoubtedly influenced Jude Law, the British actor who played the famous wizard in the Fantastic Beasts movies. Law somehow recovered Harris’ sensitive approach to Albus but had to keep the mysterious nature and unclear intentions in the wizard’s fight against Grindelwald. The fact that this enemy was a former lover of his required a more human side from Dumbledore to show on the screen, yet the dark sense of humor and secrecy were still there.
Toby Regbo briefly gave life to Albus in a flashback during The Crimes of Grindelwald. This was a short yet meaningful moment that brought back a spark of Gambon’s interpretation, but they ultimately showed a younger and more innocent version of what he came to be. Still, this last performance is in line with the character’s evolution and how he grew up to become a wise sorcerer.
Ultimately, Gambon created a deeply flawed Dumbledore who still conveyed authority and respect while leaving room for character development and a multidimensional personality. For years to come, more actors will take the role of Hogwarts’ headmaster, especially in the upcoming Max series, but to many fans, Michael’s image will always pop into their mind whenever they think of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
