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Michael Gambon biography

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Best Known For

Irish actor Michael Gambon is best known for his role as Albus Dumbledore in five of the seven J.K. Rowling Harry Potter films. Prior to his role as Dumbledore, Gambon was known as one of the leading thespians of his generation.

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Synopsis

Michael Gambon was born in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland on October 19, 1940. He worked as a toolmaker and engineer for a short time before devoting himself to studying classical art. Gambon joined several theatre companies in his youth,

Quotes

"[It's] overwhelming, like being a priest. Something you want to do. Nothing to do with being well-known or anything. The other thing comes as an unfortunate part of it. ..." [On the compulsion to act.]

– Michael Gambon

"I'm always astonished that people want to know anything about me."
– Michael Gambon

and performed on stage for many years before moving on to film and television. He became a household name in 1986 for his role as the lead character in the American public television mini-series The Singing Detective. Gambon's fame reignited when he was cast as Albus Dumbledore in the third installment of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter film series, following the death of Richard Harris, who had played Dumbledore in the first two installments. In addition to the third installment, Gambon played Dumbledore in the four films that followed.

Early Life

Long before Michael John Gambon became known to the world as Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter), he mostly performed for live theater and television. The Irish actor was born on October 19, 1940, in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland, but moved with his family to London, England, when he was 5. He followed in his father's footsteps and, by age 21, became a fully qualified engineer and toolmaker with a passion for collecting antique guns, clocks and classic cars.

From the ages of 18 to 21, while apprenticing as a toolmaker, Gambon attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he studied classical acting; he eventually received a bachelor's degree in the subject. At 24, Gambon made his professional stage debut, performing in the Gate Theatre Dublin's 1962 production of Othello. After a year of touring with Gate, he caught the attention of Laurence Olivier, who hired him to join the newly formed National Theatre Company. Gambon remained with the company for four years before leaving to join the Birmingham Repertory Company in 1967. With Birmingham, Gambon finally got a chance to perform the title roles in his favorite Shakespeare productions.

Rise to Stardom

Gambon made his film debut in 1965, in Olivier's Othello, and went on to play a lead role in the 1970s BBC TV series The Borderers. As a result of his Borderers performance, James Bond producer Cubby Broccoli asked Gambon to audition for the role in 1970 to replace George Lazenby.

Gambon gained even more recognition in the 1980s, first winning critical acclaim as Galileo in John Dexter's The Life of Galileo production at the National Theatre in 1980, and then becoming a household name playing lead character Phillip Marlow in the 1986 American public television mini-series The Singing Detective.

Following his success in the '80s, Gambon continued to perform on stage and in feature films, including the controversial The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover, which also starred Helen Mirren. Prince Charles knighted Gambon in July 1998 and, according to The Associated Press, remarked, "It's not quote dramatic enough, is it?"

But Gambon's most notable performance—one that launched him even further into international fame—was as Hogwarts' headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.

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