Michael Gambon
Birth Place: Dublin, IRELAND
Interview: Larry Yando talks playing Dumbledore in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (Nov 11, 2025)
SHIRLEY VALENTINE Star Pauline Collins Passes Away at 85 (Nov 6, 2025)
Review: ENDGAME, Starring Douglas Hodge, Theatre Royal Bath (Sep 24, 2025)
BIO
Michael Gambon made his professional stage debut in 1962 in a production of Othello at the Gate Theatre. In 1963, he joined Royal National Theatre under Laurence Olivier, performing at Old Vic in productions including Hamlet, The Recruiting Officer, and The Royal Hunt of the Sun. He made his film debut in Othello (1965). In 1967, he joined the Birmingham Repertory Company, playing title roles in Othello, Macbeth, and Coriolanus. That year he made his television debut in a BBC adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing and appeared in series including Softly, Softly (1967) and Public Eye (1968). From 1968 to 1970, he starred in The Borderers, and in 1972 he appeared in the Canadian series The Challengers. His early film credits included Nothing But the Night (1973) and The Beast Must Die (1974).
In 1980, Gambon starred in The Life of Galileo at the National Theatre. He appeared in the film Turtle Diary (1985) and won a BAFTA for his lead role in the television serial The Singing Detective (1986). He starred as Inspector Maigret in the ITV series Maigret (1992–1993). In 1989, he appeared in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. His 1990s film work included Toys (1992), Dancing at Lughnasa (1998), Plunkett & Macleane (1999), The Insider (1999), and Sleepy Hollow (1999). He starred in the BBC adaptation Wives and Daughters (1999), winning a BAFTA Award.
In 1995, Gambon made his Broadway debut in Skylight, earning a Tony Award nomination. He appeared in Gosford Park (2001) and Open Range (2003). He portrayed President Lyndon B. Johnson in the television film Path to War (2002), receiving Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In 2004, he began playing Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and continued the role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). Other 2000s credits included The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Layer Cake (2004), Being Julia (2004), Amazing Grace (2007), and the BBC series Cranford (2007). He received an Emmy nomination for Emma (2009) and appeared in The King's Speech (2010) and Doctor Who (2010).
In 2012, Gambon appeared in the HBO series Luck and the film Quartet. He starred in the BBC/HBO miniseries The Casual Vacancy (2015). He played Henry Tyson in Fortitude (2015, 2018), narrated Hail, Caesar! (2016), and appeared in Dad's Army (2016). He provided the voice of Uncle Pastuzo in Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017). His later film roles included Judy (2019) and Cordelia (2019), his final screen appearance.
Photos
SIR MICHAEL GAMBON as Hirst and SIR DEREK JACOBI as Spooner in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land (first performed at the NT in 1975 with Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson)
From: Photo Coverage: NT50 - The National Theatre's Birthday Celebrations, With Dench, Mirren, And More!
STAGE CREDITS
Movies
[ 1973 ] Inspector Grant
[ 1974 ] Jan
[ 1985 ] George Fairbairn turtle keeper
[ 1988 ] Gerald Paige
[ 1988 ] Narrator
[ 1989 ] Albert
[ 1989 ] Doctor Knowd
[ 1989 ] Magistrate
[ 1991 ] Don Faranzano
[ 1992 ] Lt. General Leland Zevo
[ 1994 ] Cornell
[ 1994 ] Dr. Frobisher
[ 1994 ] Ivor J. Carney
[ 1994 ] Sir George
[ 1995 ] Daniel Pavenic
[ 1995 ] Det. Insp. Matheson
[ 1995 ] Leonard
[ 1996 ] Mary's Father
[ 1997 ] Fyodor Dostoyevsky
[ 1997 ] Kate's Father
[ 1998 ] Father Jack Mundy
[ 1999 ] Baltus Van Tsel
[ 1999 ] Lord Gibson
[ 1999 ] Mter Martin
[ 1999 ] Sir Richard Naylor
[ 1999 ] Thom Sandefur
[ 2001 ] Ghost of Christm Present
[ 2001 ] Kerrigan
[ 2001 ] Levade
[ 2001 ] William McCordle
[ 2002 ] Prime Minister
[ 2003 ] Barreller
[ 2003 ] Denton Baxter
[ 2003 ] Professor Thom
[ 2004 ] Albus Dumbledore
[ 2004 ] Eddie Temple
[ 2004 ] Editor Paley
[ 2004 ] Jimmie Langton
[ 2004 ] Oseary Drakouli
[ 2005 ] Albus Dumbledore
[ 2006 ] Bugenhagen
[ 2006 ] Dr. Fredericks
[ 2006 ] Lord Charles Fox
[ 2007 ] Alan Weigert
[ 2007 ] Albus Dumbledore
[ 2007 ] Leo
[ 2008 ] Lord Marchmain
[ 2009 ] Franklin Bean
[ 2009 ] Professor Albus Dumbledore
[ 2010 ] George
[ 2010 ] King George V
[ 2010 ] Professor Albus Dumbledore
[ 2011 ] Professor Albus Dumbledore
[ 2012 ] Cedric Livingstone
[ 2014 ] Uncle Ptuzo
[ 2016 ] Godfrey
[ 2016 ] Narrator
[ 2017 ] Arthur
[ 2017 ] Lord LionelPugIsmay
[ 2017 ] Lord Salisbury
[ 2017 ] Sydney Kotok
[ 2017 ] Uncle Ptuzo
[ 2018 ] Agent Five
[ 2018 ] BillyThe FishLincoln
[ 2018 ] Frank Hamilton
[ 2018 ] Man in Diner
[ 2019 ] Bernard Delfont
[ 2019 ] Moses
TV Shows
Henry Tyson
Jules Maigret
Gavin Ker
Brian Bryant
Awards and Nominations
winner
Michael Gambon
Michael GambonNo Man's Land
Michael GambonEndgame
Michael GambonA Number
Michael GambonThe Caretaker
Michael GambonThe Unexpected Man
Michael GambonTom & Clem
Michael Gambon, Skylight
Michael Gambon, Skylight
Michael GambonSkylight
winner
Michael GambonVolpone
winner
Michael GambonMan Of The Moment
winner
Michael GambonA View from the Bridge
winner
Michael GambonA View From The Bridge
winner
Michael GambonA Chorus Of Disapproval
Michael GambonTales From Hollywood
Michael GambonThe Life Of Galileo
Michael GambonBetrayal
Videos
VIDEO: Renee Zellweger Tells ELLEN About Having Stage Fright During JUDY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-09-18 12:00:46
VIDEO: Renee Zellweger is Judy Garland in the Official Trailer for JUDY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-07-08 09:40:55
VIDEO: New Trailer for J.K. Rowling's THE CASUAL VACANCY on HBO
by TV News Desk - 2015-03-26 21:42:36
VIDEO: First Look at JK Rowling's THE CAUAL VACANCY Mini-Series
by Caryn Robbins - 2015-02-02 13:21:18
VIDEO: PADDINGTON's Nicole Kidman Talks Happier Days: 'I Laugh A Lot More Now'
by Caryn Robbins - 2015-01-06 10:47:38
VIDEO: Hugh Bonneville Stars in PADDINGTON, Coming January 2015
by Caryn Robbins - 2014-11-07 10:02:09
VIDEO: First Look - Ben Whishaw Lends Voice to PADDINGTON, Hitting Theaters This January
by Caryn Robbins - 2014-10-28 10:09:04
VIDEO: Trailer for Dustin Hoffman's Directorial Debut - QUARTET
by Caryn Robbins - 2012-10-29 08:02:49
TV Exclusive: First TV Spot for MATILDA THE MUSICAL on Broadway!
by Robert Diamond - 2012-09-07 16:16:42
STAGE TUBE: First Look - Trailer for Dustin Hoffman's QUARTET
by Caryn Robbins - 2012-07-02 13:59:44
TV: Broadway Beat Special: A STEADY RAIN - Opening Night Press Conference
by Craig Brockman - 2009-10-01 23:31:37
STAGE TUBE: A STEADY RAIN Star Hugh Jackman - Stage Door Story
by Eddie Varley - 2009-09-29 10:03:37
News
by R. Scott Reedy - Nov 11, 2025
A self-admitted “crazy person” for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels who “stood in line at a bookstore whenever a new volume was released,” performer Larry Yando knows that portraying Dumbledore – onetime headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – in the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is a high-profile piece of work.
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 6, 2025
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actress Pauline Collins, who played the title role in the solo play Shirley Valentine, has passed away.
by Cheryl Markosky - Sep 24, 2025
Douglas Hodge commendably leads a star-studded cast in Lindsay Posner's new adaptation of Endgame at Theatre Royal Bath's intimate Ustinov Studio.
by Stephi Wild - May 19, 2025
Award-winning comedian and actor Dyland Moran, BAFTA winner Francesca Annis, and TV stars Patrick Robinson and Charlie Rowe are amongst the cast announced today as part of the RALPH FIENNES / THEATRE ROYAL BATH SEASON.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025
See what critics are saying about Krapp's Last Tape at York Theatre Royal starring Gary Oldman. Learn more about the show and read the reviews for the production here!
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 17, 2024
In celebration of 40 years of The Flat Earth, BMG is releasing an expanded, 40th Anniversary Edition of the album. As well as the complete tracklisting from the original record, the special release of the anniversary edition includes live tracks, rare mixes and alternate versions of songs from the iconic album, which tell the story of a songwriter and performer reaching new musical heights.
by Stephi Wild - May 24, 2024
The cast has been announced for Longitude, a new musical premiering at Upstairs at the Gatehouse this June.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 20, 2024
Get the latest updates on V&A's 10th Annual Performance Festival, REMASTERED. Discover the highlights, performances, and unique aspects of this year's festival.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 25, 2024
Irish Arts Center has revealed the cast of the North American premiere of Lyric Theatre, Belfast’s Agreement.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 29, 2023
WEST END THEATRES TO DIM LIGHTS IN HONOUR OF MICHAEL GAMBON. The West End will pay tribute to the late Sir Michael Gambon by dimming their lights for 2 minutes at 7pm on Friday, September 29th. Gambon had a remarkable career spanning six decades and was a member of the Royal National Theatre.
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Sep 28, 2023
Sir Michael Gambon, who had an acting career that took him from Laurence Olivier’s nascent National Theatre to screen roles in the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 82.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 19, 2023
Chicago Shakespeare is welcoming new artistic and executive leadership, who are set to bring fresh ideas, innovation, and creativity to the theater scene. Prepare to be amazed by the exciting changes happening at Chicago Shakespeare.
by Michael Major - Dec 3, 2022
To celebrate Daniel Radcliffe's return to theatre in the Off-Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along, we are taking a look back at the stage careers of he and his fellow Harry Potter film cast members. Keep reading to find out times you may have seen Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Ralph Fiennes, Imelda Staunton, and more onstage!
by Drew Eberhard - Nov 13, 2022
A Number written by British Playwright Caryl Churchill first premiered in September of 2002 at the Royal Court Theatre in London, England. The play starred Michael Gambon in the role of Salter, and Daniel Craig in the role of Bernard (Et al.). Under critical reception, Churchill’s play was lauded for its use of “significant intellectual depth while imploring an effective economy of style.” Told in a series of five vignettes, the story is set in the near future, where a relationship/conflict between father and sons comes to a head when conflict about the use of human cloning becomes the topic of conversation. The play expresses the deeply divided differences between nature vs. nurture, and the idea that “if we had a do-over, could we atone for our mistakes?” In an article for the New York Times, Ben Brantley described Churchill’s work as, “stunning” and a “gripping dramatic consideration of what happens to autonomous identity in a world where people can be cloned.”
by Cindy Marcolina - Jun 18, 2022
Many great performers tackle Lear every year. From Laurence Olivier and Michael Gambon to Ian McKellen and Simon Russell Beale, it’s become somewhat of a tradition for dramatic actors to take on one of Shakespeare’s biggest challenges once their hair starts to grey. Less often, a female actor comes onto the scene to huge acclaim. Glenda Jackson did so last in a starred performance on Broadway in 2019, but Kathryn Hunter is taking the wretched crown back after her first stint as the destitute monarch 25 years ago.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 29, 2022
Macbeth begins performances tonight, March 29, 2022, at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) and opens on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Learn more about the cast bringing this show back to the stage!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 28, 2022
A funny and poignant new musical by award-winning playwright Tim Firth receives its world premiere at Storyhouse this spring and the full cast has now been revealed.
by Marianka Swain - Feb 11, 2022
It’s 20 years since Caryl Churchill’s spry, elliptical cloning play premiered at the Royal Court with Michael Gambon and Daniel Craig, and it remains a fascinating chamber piece for a talented pair of actors – as we see here with the great Lennie James and Paapa Essiedu in this anniversary revival.
by Marianka Swain - Jan 4, 2022
Though hardly an ideal start to the new theatrical year, we want to applaud all of the incredible casts, creatives, backstage and front-of-house staff who are working so hard to keep shows on. If you can support productions, please do – whether revisiting an amazing long-running show or checking out something new. And speaking of which: here are some of the most intriguing London additions for this month. Keep checking back for our reviews, interviews and features!
by Matt Wolf - Jun 21, 2021
The 60th anniversary production of Beckett's masterwork Happy Days, newly opened at west London's Riverside Studios, is indistinguishable from the keen eye of its director, Trevor Nunn, who across more than six decades has contributed many of the most significant (not to mention quite a few of the best) productions in my experience. We look back at a seismic career and select five productions for the ages.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Michael Gambon has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Michael Gambon has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Michael Gambon's first West End show was Pinter at the Pinter which opened in 2018
Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for No Man's Land, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Endgame , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for A Number , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for The Caretaker, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for The Unexpected Man, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Tom & Clem, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Skylight, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Skylight, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Skylight, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Volpone, Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Man Of The Moment, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for A View from the Bridge, Actor of the Year (Olivier Awards) for A View From The Bridge, Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for A Chorus Of Disapproval, Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Tales From Hollywood, Actor of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for The Life Of Galileo and Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Betrayal.
Michael Gambon has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include the Lebedev Special Award from the Evening Standard Awards, Best Actor at the Evening Standard Awards for Volpone, and Comedy Performance of the Year at the Olivier Awards for Man Of The Moment. He also received Best Actor at the Evening Standard Awards for A View from the Bridge, Actor of the Year at the Olivier Awards for A View From The Bridge, and Comedy Performance of the Year at the Olivier Awards for A Chorus Of Disapproval.
Videos