Sir Michael Gambon: Rupert Grint, Helen Mirren and many more pay tribute to beloved actor

Virgin Radio

28 Sep 2023, 16:52

Celebrities from across the worlds of stage and screen have been paying tribute to the late great Sir Michael Gambon.

The beloved Harry Potter franchise and The Singing Detective star died peacefully in hospital aged 82, his family confirmed on Thursday (28th September).

Among the celebrities paying tribute to Sir Michael have been several stars from the Harry Potter films, in which he starred as Professor Albus Dumbledore.

Rupert Grint - who got to know Sir Michael while he was starring in the role of Ron Weasley in the films - said: “So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set.

“He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life,” he added, before finishing his tribute: “Sending all my love to his family.”

Jason Isaacs - who starred as Lucius Malfoy in the films - remembered Michael by writing: “I learned what acting could be from Michael in The Singing Detective - complex, vulnerable and utterly human. The greatest thrill of being in the Potter films was that he knew my name and shared his fearless, filthy sense of fun with me.”

James Phelps - who portrayed Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter movies - shared a favourite memory of his time filming with Gambon on X (formerly Twitter).

“Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off camera, a legend,” he penned alongside his memory of the star.

The actress Helen Mirren shared her tribute with the BBC, recalling how her late friend was “naughty but very, very funny” and celebrating his “extraordinary contribution to the British landscape of theatre.”

Dame Joan Collins also shared a tribute on Facebook, sharing that she was “so sorry” to hear of the “wonderful” actor’s death. “A great actor and great fun,” she added of the star, alongside whom she acted in the sitcom Mama’s Back in 1993.

Jeremy Clarkson - whose old show Top Gear enjoyed Michael’s appearance on its celebrity race track so much it named one of its tricky corners after him - wrote on X: “I’m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died. He was hugely amusing, and such a tremendous guest, we even named a corner after him.”

BAFTA paid tribute to the television and film star by writing “We're saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Gambon CBE,” and recalling how Michael won four Best Actor BAFTAs for his work in television.