Harry Potter’s Maggie Smith Died Exactly 1 Year After Dumbledore Actor Michael Gambon
Harry Potter fans have noticed a heartfelt connection between Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon that extends beyond their cherished movie roles. In an interesting turn of events, both actors passed away on the same date — September 27 — exactly one year apart. Maggie Smith, who played the sharp yet endearing Professor Minerva McGonagall, passed away this year at the age of 89, while Michael Gambon, who portrayed the wise Professor Albus Dumbledore, passed away in 2023 at the age of 82.
Maggie Smith’s portrayal of Professor McGonagall was marked by her stern demeanor mixed with genuine warmth, making her a beloved character in the Harry Potter series. Her character was the transfiguration professor, head of Gryffindor House, and later, the headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, taking over from Dumbledore himself.
Michael Gambon began his journey as Dumbledore with the third film in the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, released in 2004. He succeeded Richard Harris, who played the role in the first two Harry Potter films before his passing in 2002.
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Michael Gambon passed away peacefully in the hospital on September 27, 2023. A representative said in a statement released on behalf of his wife and son, “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in the hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus by his side, following a bout of pneumonia. He was 82.” The family asked for privacy while mourning his loss.
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This year, Maggie Smith’s sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, shared the news of her passing. She died peacefully in the hospital early on the morning of September 27, surrounded by friends and family. “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they expressed.
Maggie Smith was a British acting legend with over 80 film, television, and stage credits spanning over 70 years. She received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards from six nominations, four Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award.
Maggie became a household name for a new generation through her role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and continued to play Professor McGonagall in the following seven films of the franchise. Her unique blend of kindness and authority made her a perfect fit for the role, as director Chris Columbus noted when he cast her. In a reflection available on YouTube, Columbus mentioned that he was looking for “someone who was intimidating but also had a sense of warmth and heart.” And according to him, Maggie Smith was the perfect embodiment of those qualities.
