Richard Harris And Michael Gambon: The Journey Of Dumbledore

Shortly before his death from Hodgkin’s disease in October 2002, legendary Irish actor Richard Harris had a visitor in the hospital. It was Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films in the massively popular Harry Potter movie franchise. Harris portrayed the all-knowing wizard Albus Dumbledore in both movies, and he made it clear to Columbus he intended to return for the third film.

“If you ever replace me, I’ll f––ing kill you,” Harris, then 72, half-jokingly warned. Columbus thought Harris looked a bit thin but otherwise in good spirits and reassured Harris that he wouldn’t be replaced. Ten days later, however, the actor was dead, and director Alfonso Cuarón was forced to choose a replacement.

Christopher Lee, Sean Connery, and Ian McKellen were among those considered for the part, but they each ultimately turned it down. The role ended up going to one of Harris’ old drinking buddies: Michael Gambon, who himself died Thursday at age 82 after suffering from pneumonia.

Gambon went on to play Dumbledore in six films, putting his own personal stamp on the character, highlighting the playful and lively aspects of the character, as opposed to Harris’ more regal, stoic performance. Born in Dublin, Gambon enjoyed an acclaimed six-decade career on stage and screen, from his days with Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre to his knighting by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

The Original Dumbledore

Richard Harris was initially reluctant to join the Harry Potter series, turning down the part three times before accepting. The role required a multi-film commitment, and with his advanced age and declining health, Harris felt “that’s not how I wanted to spend the last years of my life.” However, his young granddaughter was such a fan of the J.K. Rowling novels that she “begged” him to accept the role, and he relented.

“We wanted an actor who had weight and distinction,” Harry Potter movie producer David Heyman said. “Richard had real strength and a sense of danger about him, but he was also mischievous with a twinkle in his eye.” As it turned out, Harris loved working on the movies. Initially concerned that the use of visual effects and green screens would make filming an “ordeal,” Harris instead found the shooting schedule to be pleasant, and particularly enjoyed working with young actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

After his first reading, Harris recalled a boy saying, “I think you will be rather good in this, Mr. Harris!” He burst out laughing, realizing that the young actor had no idea who he was. This moment showcased Harris's charm and ability to connect with the younger cast.

Searching for a New Dumbledore

Harris died on October 25, 2002, just three weeks before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released, leaving Cuarón with the difficult task of recasting him for the next film. Christopher Lee was the leading contender, but he quickly turned it down, citing it as “in very bad taste” to discuss recasting so soon after Harris's death.

Sean Connery was also considered, but he stated he had “no interest in joining a children’s movie about wizards.” Ian McKellen was approached but felt the character was too similar to his performance as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films. The fact that Harris had previously criticized McKellen as “technically brilliant but passionless” further complicated matters.

Harris’ family hoped that his close friend Peter O’Toole would take over the role, but O’Toole felt it would be too “intrusive” to play the part so soon after Harris’ death. The producers worried his age would make it difficult for him to appear in multiple films. Recasting Dumbledore proved to be a significant challenge.

Gambon Takes the Role

Four months after Harris’ death, Cuarón finally selected Gambon for the role. Although Gambon and Harris had been drinking buddies in their younger days, they had never worked together. Gambon felt no pressure to imitate Harris’ performance, leading him to create his own interpretation of the role.

“No one ever spoke to me about it. Not a word,” Gambon stated. He brought an edginess to the role, making Dumbledore more mischievous and unpredictable compared to Harris's gentle portrayal. Cuarón described Gambon’s Dumbledore as “funky and could seem a little shabby, a little distracted, but actually he’s completely in control of everything.”

Like Cuarón, Gambon didn’t read the Harry Potter novels, instead basing his performance solely on the scripts. He added traces of his own Irish accent to the character, as a nod to Harris. Gambon’s interpretation received praise, with McKellen stating he played the part “gloriously.”

Fans remain divided over which actor portrayed Dumbledore best. Gambon, while recognizing his distinct take on Dumbledore, humbly credited Harris during a speech in 2012. “All I did was copy Richard,” he remarked, showing respect for his predecessor's legacy.