25 Harry Potter stars have now died since the first film

Steve Hopkins

Sir Michael joins an amazing cast to cross over

The death of Sir Michael Gambon is a tragic milestone for the Harry Potter franchise, with the actor being the 25th to pass away since the first film.

Gambon, who played Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, from 2004 to 2011, died peacefully in hospital aged 82.

The news was confirmed in a statement issued on behalf of Lady Gambon and their son Fergus on Thursday, reading: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”

The series about the famous boy wizard kicked off in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, bringing in an ensemble cast that featured some of the most treasured names from Britain and abroad. But over the course of the next ten years – when the last movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 – was released, 25 stars have passed away. These include Alan Rickman, Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane.

The Harry Potter cast that are no longer with us:

Richard Harris – Albus Dumbledore (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002)

Robert Knox – Marcus Belby (21 August 1989 – 24 May 2008)

Elizabeth Spriggs – The Fat Lady (18 September 1929 – 2 July 2008)

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher (3 April 1926 – 15 September 2009)

Jimmy Gardner – Ernie Prang (24 August 2014 – 3 May 2010)

Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet (28 February 1918 – 16 February 2011)

Eric Sykes – Frank Bryce (4 May 1923 – 4 July 2012)

Richard Griffiths – Vernon Dursley (31 July 1947 – 28 March 2013)

Peter Cartwright – Elphias Doge (30 August 1935 – 18 November 2013)

Roger Lloyd Pack – Barty Crouch Senior (8 February 1944 – 15 January 2014)

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback (12 October 1963 – July 2014)