'I just stick on a beard and play me...so it is no great feat'

Potter star dies aged 82

- Chris Riches

STARS of stage, screen and Harry Potter have hailed the acting genius of Sir Michael Gambon after his death aged 82.

Sir Michael enjoyed a six-decade career stretching from the National Theatre as one of Sir Laurence Olivier's original troupe, to playing wise wizard Albus Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films.

He was born in Dublin to a working-class family who moved to London when he was six. He qualified as an engineer aged 21 but only stuck with it for a year before deciding to become an actor.

After "embellishing" his acting CV to secure a place at Dublin's Gate Theatre he made his name in Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn plays, winning three Olivier awards. He went on to have TV success in The Singing Detective and as the detective Jules Maigret.

His film career started with Olivier's Othello in 1965 and included blockbusters Sleepy Hollow, The King's Speech, Gosford Park and The Insider.

He starred with Dame Judi Dench in BBC drama series Cranford and in acclaimed 2017 film Victoria & Abdul, and rubbed with the likes of shoulders Hollywood star Jack Lemmon.

In 2018 he joined fellow veterans Sir Michael Caine and Ray Winstone in The King Of Thieves.

But to a younger generation he is likely to be most fondly remembered for playing Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films.

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