Michael Gambon

Ian McKellen Reveals Why He Turned Down Playing Dumbledore After Richard Harris Died
Ian McKellen Reveals Why He Turned Down Playing Dumbledore After Richard Harris Died
Ian McKellen Reveals Why He Turned Down Playing Dumbledore After Richard Harris Died
Hearts broke across the world for Harry Potter fans when Richard Harris died in 2002. Warner Bros. was only two movies deep into the eight-film franchise and they’d already lost the perfect Dumbledore. The British actor embodied J.K. Rowling’s beloved character in every way, from his patient and wise demeanor to his half-moon spectacles and long white beard. Then Michael Gambon took over as the Hogwarts headmaster and infamously displeased many fans. (For the record, I still loved Gambon’s Dumbledore so there’s a hot take for ya.) But what if the man behind another iconic wizard had taken over for Harris instead?