In Memoriam: The Muggles and magical actors from Harry Potter who have embarked on the next great adventure
Reflecting on the lives of these remarkable individuals who graced us with their talents in the magical world of Harry Potter, I find myself deeply moved by their contributions and saddened by their absence. Each one brought a unique spark to their roles, immortalizing characters that have become an integral part of our collective memories.
At the Harry Potter Wizarding World theme parks, it’s customary for fans to gather near Hogwarts when someone from the film series associated with the community passes away. This gathering is reminiscent of a scene from “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and symbolizes global unity. Regrettably, since the 2001 premiere of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” we have had to bid farewell to many actors who significantly impacted the franchise.
“The greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had”
The first two Harry Potter films saw Richard Harris portray Albus Dumbledore. Soft-spoken, but insightful, Harris was the perfect actor to entrust Harry to the Dursleys in the first scene of the series, and expound on the importance of love near the end of the film. He was twice nominated for Academy Awards, but his roles ranged from King Arthur in Camelot to the titular character in 1970’s Cromwell. He passed away in 2002.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a fresh headmaster made his debut at Hogwarts. A.O. Scott from the New York Times commended the exceptional acting talent displayed by the British cast members and specifically recognized Michael Gambon’s impressive portrayal of Albus Dumbledore. He seamlessly took over Richard Harris’s role, embodying a blend of dry wit, humor, courage, and wisdom throughout the series. Fans still cherish moments like when he saved Harry from the inferi with a fiery burst, as well as their poignant conversations about life and love in the last film at King’s Cross Station. Sadly, Michael Gambon passed away on September 27, 2023.
In the year 2011, Alfred Burke, who portrayed Armando Dippet, the predecessor of Professor Dumbledore as seen in the second movie, unfortunately passed away.
The Professors
The focus of this article is the recent passing of Dame Maggie Smith, a versatile actress who touched many different genres. On social media, there’s a consensus that if your favorite Maggie Smith movie isn’t one particular title, then you might be mistaken. It seems there’s no agreement on whether she shines best as the surprised Mother Superior in Sister Act, the unsympathetic Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the elderly Wendy in Hook, or any of her numerous other roles. However, it’s indisputable that no one could have embodied Professor McGonagall with the same blend of deep affection and biting criticism. Daniel Radcliffe, who worked with her before playing Harry Potter, described her as a formidable intellect, quick-witted, capable of intimidating and charming in the same moment, and, as many will confirm, highly funny, according to Us Weekly.
As iconic as Maggie Smith was, there was no need to hear a single word from Alan Rickman before deciding he was perfect for the part of potions professor Professor Snape. His brooding and complicated nature could be expressed simply in his body language, but the man who tackled roles from a Jane Austen love interest in Sense and Sensibility to villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard was full of surprises. IGN discussed in a review of his personal journals that he faced the choice to leave the series both for creative reasons and a battle with prostate cancer. In 2007, he wrote that he had been informed of Severus Snape’s love for Lily Potter seven years before the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that information was “a cliff edge to hang on to.” Tom Felton in his memoir Beyond the Wand related how “there was never a day…that Alan Rickman wasn’t to be seen in full, flowing Snape robes, holding his tray and queuing up in the canteen for his lunch like everyone else.” The Potter family lost Rickman in 2017.
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: Among the professors, there was one that stood out – Rubeus Hagrid, the former misunderstood and undervalued Keeper of the Keys. However, he transformed into the beloved Care of Magical Creatures professor and an essential member of the Order of the Phoenix. He was more than just a character; he was like a quirky uncle you could always count on, but also a wise mentor. In 2022, when he passed away, James Phelps (Fred Weasley) expressed his sorrow by saying, “I’ll miss our chats about everything under the sky.” Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, praised Robbie for beautifully portraying Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home, and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures.
The Parents
Two performers who departed from the franchise portrayed less-than-endearing parents, neither of whom were particularly likable. Richard Griffiths took on the role of Vernon Dursley, a character who frequently threatened Harry’s owl or vented his anger towards magic. Despite being confined to a cupboard under the stairs, Daniel Radcliffe proudly stated that he knew him and remembered their first movie scene together with the late Griffiths. They both collaborated in the stage production of “Equus” later on. Tragically, Richard Griffiths passed away in 2013.
Harry is rescued on two occasions by maternal love, and Helen McRory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, the character who betrayed Voldemort to save her son Draco. She was famed for her performances in the biopic “The Queen” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”, but also played an MP in “Skyfall” and a vampire in both “Interview with the Vampire” and “Doctor Who”. J.K. Rowling referred to her as “an exceptional actress and a remarkable woman who departed us prematurely.
Gone, but not overlooked
As reported by Indy100, sadly, 27 actors involved in the eight-movie series have passed away. Let’s honor and acknowledge the other individuals who played significant roles in fueling our passion for these films.
Robert Knox, 1989-2008, played Slug Club member Marcus Belby.
1929-2008 saw Elizabeth Spriggs as the initial actress to enact the character of the Guardian of Gryffindor Tower, commonly known as ‘The Fat Lady’.
Timothy Bateson, who lived from 1926 to 2009, provided the voice for Kreacher, the house-elf belonging to the illustrious and ancient Black family, in a certain context.
Jimmy Gardner, born in 1924 and passing away in 2010, boldly navigated the Knight Bus in the story “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Eric Sykes, born in 1923 and passed away in 2012, played a pivotal role in creating an air of mystery as Frank Bryce in the movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Peter Cartwright, 1935-2013, played Elphias Doge in the fifth movie.
Doge was also played by David Ryall, 1935-2014.
Roger Lloyd Pack, 1944-2014, memorably played the hypervigilant Barty Crouch, senior.
Dave Legeno, 1963-2014, terrified audiences as the werewolf Fenrir Greyback.
Derek Deadman, born in 1940 and passed away in 2014, portrayed Tom from the Leaky Cauldron, the first amicable magical figure Harry encountered following Hagrid.
Terence Baylor, 1930-2016, played Slytherin’s ghost, the Bloody Baron in the first movie.
Hazel Douglas, 1923-2016, appeared in the seventh movie as historian Bathilda Bagshot.
John Hurt,1940-2017, played Mr. Ollivander, wand-maker and lore-teller.
Sam Beazley, 1916-2017, played Professor Everard, one of the paintings in the castle.
Robert Hardy, born in 1925 and passing away in 2017, served as the firm, unyielding head of the Ministry of Magic under the character Cornelius Fudge.
Verne Troyer, 1969-2018, played Griphook in the first of the Harry Potter films.
I, back in 2009, stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter, taking on the character of Eldred Worple, the quiet biographer, in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’.
Leslie Phillips, 1924-2022, provided the voice of the Sorting Hat.
Paul Grant, 1967-2023, played a goblin at Gringotts.
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2024-09-30 04:32