Editing Michael Gambon

{{Short description|Irish-English actor (1940–2023)}}
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{{Use British English|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = [[Knight Bachelor|Sir]]<!--Not an OVERLINK vio when piped to topic-->
| name               = Michael Gambon
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}}
| image              = Michael Gambon cropped.jpg
| caption            = Gambon in 2013
| birth_name         = Michael John Gambon
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1940|10|19|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Cabra, Dublin]], Ireland
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2023|09|27|1940|10|19|df=y}}
| death_place        = [[Witham]], [[Essex]], England
| citizenship        = {{hlist|Ireland|United Kingdom}}
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1962–2019
| spouse             = {{marriage|Anne Miller|1962}}
| partner            = Philippa Hart (2000–2023; his death)
| children           = 3
| signature          = Michael Gambon autograph.svg
| works              = [[Michael Gambon on screen and stage|Full list]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Gambon|Full list]]
}}

'''Sir Michael John Gambon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|g|æ|m|b|ɒ|n}}; 19 October 1940 – 27 September 2023) was an Irish-English <!-- Please see talk page before changing --> actor. Gambon started his acting career with [[Laurence Olivier]] as one of the original members of the [[Royal National Theatre]]. Over his six-decade-long career, he received three [[Olivier Awards]], four [[BAFTA TV Awards]] and two [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]. In 1998, he was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] for services to drama.

Gambon appeared in many productions of works by [[William Shakespeare]] such as ''[[Othello]]'', ''[[Hamlet]]'', ''[[Macbeth]]'' and ''[[Coriolanus]]''. Gambon was nominated for thirteen Olivier Awards, winning three times for ''[[A Chorus of Disapproval (play)|A Chorus of Disapproval]]'' (1985), ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'' (1987) and ''[[Man of the Moment (play)|Man of the Moment]]'' (1990). In 1997, Gambon made his [[Broadway debut]] in [[David Hare (playwright)|David Hare]]'s ''[[Skylight (play)|Skylight]],'' earning a [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]] nomination.

Gambon made his film debut in ''[[Othello (1965 British film)|Othello]]'' (1965). His other notable films include ''[[The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover]]'' (1989), ''[[The Wings of the Dove (1997 film)|The Wings of the Dove]]'' (1997), ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' (1999), ''[[Gosford Park]]'' (2001), ''[[Amazing Grace (2006 film)|Amazing Grace]]'' (2006), ''[[The King's Speech]]'' (2010), ''[[Quartet (2012 film)|Quartet]]'' (2012) and ''[[Victoria & Abdul]]'' (2017). He also acted in the [[Wes Anderson]] films ''[[The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou]]'' (2004) and ''[[Fantastic Mr. Fox (film)|Fantastic Mr. Fox]]'' (2009). He gained wider recognition through his role of [[Albus Dumbledore]] in the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' film series]] from 2004 to 2011, replacing [[Richard Harris]] following his death in 2002.

For his work on television, he received four BAFTA Awards for ''[[The Singing Detective]]'' (1986), ''[[Wives and Daughters (1999 TV series)|Wives and Daughters]]'' (1999), ''[[Longitude (TV series)|Longitude]]'' (2000) and ''[[Perfect Strangers (TV serial)|Perfect Strangers]]'' (2001). He also received two [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations for ''[[Path to War]]'' (2002) and ''[[Emma (2009 TV serial)|Emma]]'' (2009). Gambon's other notable projects include ''[[Cranford (TV series)|Cranford]]'' (2007) and ''[[The Casual Vacancy (miniseries)|The Casual Vacancy]]'' (2015). In 2017, he received the [[Irish Film & Television Academy]] Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2020, he was listed at {{abbr|No.|Number}} 28 on ''[[The Irish Times]]''{{'s}} list of Ireland's greatest film actors.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Donald|last2=Brady|first2=Tara|date=13 June 2020|title=The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-50-greatest-irish-film-actors-of-all-time-in-order-1.4271988|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Michael John Gambon was born in the [[Cabra, Dublin|Cabra]] suburb of [[Dublin]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/man-from-cabra-all-right-on-the-knight-1.141805|title=Man from Cabra all right on the Knight|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref> on 19 October 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/michael_gambon_biog.html|title=MICHAEL GAMBON BIOGRAPHY|publisher=[[Tiscali.co.uk]]|access-date=26 December 2019|archive-date=10 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310044231/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/michael_gambon_biog.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> His mother, Mary (née Hoare), was a seamstress, while his father, Edward Gambon, was an engineering operative during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Gambon Biography|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/35/Michael-Gambon.html|work=filmreference|year=2008|access-date=22 January 2009}}</ref> His father decided to seek work in the rebuilding of London, and moved the family to [[Mornington Crescent]] in London's [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] borough when Gambon was six. His father arranged for him to be registered as a [[British subject]], a decision that would later allow him to receive a substantive (rather than honorary) [[knighthood]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/michael_gambon_biog.html|title=Michael Gambon biography on tiscali|publisher=Tiscali.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310044231/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/michael_gambon_biog.html|archive-date=10 March 2009}}</ref>{{efn|Under the [[British nationality and the Republic of Ireland#British Nationality Act 1981|British Nationality Act 1981]], anyone born in Ireland before 1949 can still register as a [[British subject]] and, after five years' UK residence, become a [[British citizen]].}} Brought up as a strict [[Roman Catholic]], Gambon attended St Aloysius Boys' School in [[Somers Town, London|Somers Town]] and served at the altar.<ref name="tt">{{cite web |last=Wills |first=Dominic |title=Michael Gambon - Biography |url=http://www.talktalk.co.uk/entertainment/film/biography/artist/michael-gambon/biography/137 |access-date=22 June 2010 |publisher=[[TalkTalk Group]]}}</ref> He went on from there to [[St Aloysius' College, Highgate|St Aloysius' College]] in [[Highgate]], whose former pupils include the actor [[Peter Sellers]].<ref name=tt/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113037274.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512223220/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113037274.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 May 2013 |title=St Aloysius do old boy Joe proud |work=[[Sunday Mirror]] |date=8 February 2004 |access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> The family later moved to [[North End, Bexley|North End, Kent]], where he attended Crayford Secondary School but left with no qualifications at the age of 15.<ref>{{cite web|title=Surnames beginning with G|url=http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3349/Surnames-beginning-with-G|website=bexley.gov.uk|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220080441/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3349/Surnames-beginning-with-G|archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> 

After leaving school, at the age of 16 Gambon then gained an apprenticeship as a toolmaker with [[Vickers-Armstrongs]].<ref name=Wiegand>{{cite web |last1=Wiegand |first1=Chris |title=Michael Gambon, star of Harry Potter and The Singing Detective, dies aged 82 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/sep/28/michael-gambon-star-of-harry-potter-and-the-singing-detective-dies-aged-82 |website=The Guardian |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=28 September 2023}}</ref> By the time he was 21, he was a qualified engineering technician and kept the job for a further year. He acquired a lifelong passion for collecting antique guns, clocks, watches and [[classic car]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/michael-gambon-20950135|title=Michael Gambon – Biography|publisher=[[Biography.com]]|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030170659/http://www.biography.com/people/michael-gambon-20950135|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1960–1979: Stage debut and National Theatre ===
[[File:Laurence Olivier (borders removed).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Laurence Olivier]], the first artistic director of the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] in 1963, was a mentor to Gambon]]
At age 24, Gambon wrote a letter to [[Micheál Mac Liammóir]], the Irish theatre [[impresario]] who ran Dublin's [[Gate Theatre]], accompanied by a [[curriculum vitae|CV]] describing a rich and wholly imaginary theatre career: he was taken on.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/this-is-easy-acting-standing-there-with-a-spear-anyone-can-do-that-1.656767 'This is easy, acting. Standing there with a spear. Anyone can do that'], ''[[The Irish Times]]'', 24 April 2010</ref> Gambon made his professional stage debut in the Gate Theatre's 1962 production of ''[[Othello]]'', playing "Second Gentleman", followed by a European tour. A year later, auditioning with the opening [[soliloquy]] from ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'', he caught the eye of [[Laurence Olivier]] who was recruiting promising actors for his new [[National Theatre Company]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/such-memories-of-laurence-olivier-8942238.html|title=Such memories of Laurence Olivier|work=[[Evening Standard]]|date=15 November 2013 |access-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> Gambon, along with [[Robert Stephens]], [[Derek Jacobi]] and [[Frank Finlay]], was hired as one of the "to be renowned" and played any number of small roles, appearing on cast lists as "Mike Gambon". The company initially performed at the [[Old Vic]], their first production being ''[[Hamlet]]'', directed by Olivier and starring [[Peter O'Toole]]. Gambon played for four years in many NT productions, including named roles in ''[[The Recruiting Officer]]'' and ''[[The Royal Hunt of the Sun]]'', working with directors [[William Gaskill]] and [[John Dexter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/apr/23/guesteditors2|title=Interview: Michael Gambon|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 April 2004 |access-date=23 April 2004}}</ref>

Gambon made his film debut in [[Laurence Olivier]]'s ''[[Othello (1965 British film)|Othello]]'' alongside [[Maggie Smith]] and [[Derek Jacobi]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://movieweb.com/michael-gambon-best-performances-ranked/|title= Michael Gambon's Best Performances, Ranked|website= Movieweb|date= 26 July 2022|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> After three years at the Old Vic, Olivier advised Gambon to gain experience in provincial rep. In 1967, he left the National Theatre for the [[Birmingham Repertory Company]], which was to give him his first crack at the title roles in ''[[Othello]]'' (his favourite), ''[[Macbeth]]'' and ''[[Coriolanus]]''.<ref name="BBC News-2023">{{Cite news |date=28 September 2023 |title=Obituary: Sir Michael Gambon, star of The Singing Detective and Harry Potter |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39408742 |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> In 1967, he made his television debut in the [[BBC]] television adaptation of ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' as Watchman No. 4. He also appeared in British programmes such as ''[[Softly, Softly (TV series)|Softly, Softly]]'' (1967) and ''[[Public Eye (TV series)|Public Eye]]'' (1968). From 1968 to 1970, he featured in the BBC historical series ''[[The Borderers]]'' as Gavin Kerr. He also had a recurring role in the Canadian series ''[[The Challengers (TV series)|The Challengers]]'' (1972). He also appeared in drama anthology series including ''[[Play for Today]]'', ''[[Play of the Month]]'' and ''[[ITV Playhouse]]''.

In 1974, [[Eric Thompson]] cast him as the melancholy vet in [[Alan Ayckbourn]]'s ''[[The Norman Conquests]]'' at [[Greenwich]].<ref name="BBC News-2023" /> A speedy transfer to the [[West End theatre|West End]] established him as a comic actor, squatting at a crowded dining table on a tiny chair and agonising over a choice between black or white coffee. Back at the National, now on the [[South Bank]], his next turning point was [[Peter Hall (theatre director)|Peter Hall]]'s premiere staging of [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]'',<ref name="BBC News-2023" /> a performance marked by subtlety – a production photograph shows him embracing [[Penelope Wilton]] with sensitive hands and long slim fingers (the touch of a master clock-maker). He is also one of the few actors to have mastered the demands of the vast [[Olivier Theatre]]. As [[Simon Callow]] once said: "Gambon's iron lungs and overwhelming charisma are able to command a sort of operatic full-throatedness which triumphs over hard walls and long distances". After his film debut, Gambon was asked by [[James Bond]] producer [[Cubby Broccoli]] to audition for the role in 1970, to replace [[George Lazenby]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXguwtZQYGQ|title= Michael Gambon's James Bond audition|date= 18 April 2010|via= YouTube|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> He acted in the British horror films ''[[Nothing But the Night]]'' (1973) and ''[[The Beast Must Die (1974 film)|The Beast Must Die]]'' (1974).

In 1976 he took the part of Lieutenant Commander Rogers in a filmed version of the play [[French Without Tears]] by Terence Rattigan, for a TV episode of the series 'BBC Play of the Month', directed by John Gorrie, with Nicola Pagett, Anthony Andrews, Barbara Kellerman, Tim Woodward and Nigel Havers. Set in a French Villa, the action takes place in a cram school for adults needing to acquire French for business reasons. Scattered throughout are Franglais phrases and schoolboy misunderstandings of the French language.

=== 1980–1994: ''The Singing Detective'' and accolades ===
Gambon's powerful voice and presence were to serve him in good stead in [[John Dexter]]'s masterly staging of ''[[The Life of Galileo]]'' by [[Bertolt Brecht]] at the National Theatre in 1980, the first Brecht play to become a popular success. Hall called him "unsentimental, dangerous and immensely powerful," and ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' called his performance "a decisive step in the direction of great tragedy... great acting," while fellow actors paid him the rare compliment of applauding him in the dressing room on the first night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prezi.com/xbshrkiwwmos/michael-gambon/|title=Michael Gambon by Maya Houser|publisher=Onlinereviewlondon.com|date=5 August 2015|access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref> In 1985, he appeared in the British drama film ''[[Turtle Diary]]'' directed by [[John Irvin]] with a screenplay adapted by [[Harold Pinter]]. The film starred [[Glenda Jackson]] and [[Ben Kingsley]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/94075/turtle-diary#overview|title= Turtle Diary|website= TCM|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref>

His craggy looks soon made him into a [[character actor]], a term which Gambon disputed. For his first major [[Protagonist|lead]] role in [[Dennis Potter]]'s ''[[The Singing Detective]]'' (1986) he won his first [[British Academy Television Award]] for [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]].<ref name="BAFTA Awards">{{cite web | title=BAFTA Awards Search | website=BAFTA Awards | url=http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Michael%20Gambon | access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> He starred as detective Inspector [[Jules Maigret]] in [[Maigret (1992 TV series)|an ITV adaptation]] of twelve of [[Georges Simenon]]'s books. The National Theatre staged a revival of ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'' in 1987 at the [[Cottesloe Theatre]]. It was directed by [[Alan Ayckbourn]], and Gambon gave an acclaimed performance as Eddie.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2015/may/04/great-performances-michael-gambon-in-a-view-from-the-bridge-national-theatre-1987|title= Great performances: Michael Gambon in A View from the Bridge|website= The Guardian|date= 4 May 2015|accessdate= November 2, 2023|last1= Billington|first1= Michael}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' said, "In the first place it shows Michael Gambon shaking hands with greatness."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviewfromthebridge.alanayckbourn.net/styled-8/index.html|title=Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website &#124; ''A View from The Bridge'' – Reviews|access-date=16 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322025542/http://aviewfromthebridge.alanayckbourn.net/styled-8/index.html|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> In 1989, Gambon starred in the [[Peter Greenaway]]'s crime drama ''[[The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover]]'', which also starred [[Helen Mirren]], [[Tim Roth]] and [[Ciarán Hinds]]. Gambon played Albert Spica, "The Thief", a violent gangster. The film premiered at the [[1989 Toronto International Film Festival]]. Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praised the performances writing, "Mirren and Gambon are among the most distinguished actors in Britain-they've played many of the principal roles in Shakespeare -- and here they find the resources to not only strip themselves of all their defenses, but to do so convincingly."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-cook-the-thief-his-wife-and-her-lover-1999|title= The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, & Her Lover|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref>

In 1990, he played Jerry in [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[Ned Chaillet#Betrayal|Betrayal]]'' for [[BBC Radio 3]]. In 1991, he starred as Tommy Hanbury in an episode of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] series ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' called "Look Who's Coming To Pinner". [[Ralph Richardson]] dubbed him ''The Great Gambon'', an accolade which stuck, although Gambon dismissed it as a circus slogan.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=51981 |supp=y|page=7|date=29 December 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-great-gambon-reflects-on-skylight-com-100828|title=The Great Gambon" Reflects on Skylight|work=Playbill|date=18 October 1996|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> But as [[Sheridan Morley]] perceptively remarked in 2000, when reviewing [[Nicholas Wright (playwright)|Nicholas Wright]]'s ''Cressida'': "Gambon's eccentricity on stage now begins to rival that of his great mentor Richardson". Also like Richardson, interviews were rarely given and raised more questions than they answered. Gambon was a very private person, a "non-starry star" as Ayckbourn called him. Off-stage he preferred to stay out of the limelight.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucs-FWpTjp8C&q=Sheridan+Morley+michael+gambon&pg=PA144|title=Nigel Hawthorne on Stage|isbn=9781902806310|access-date=26 December 2019|last1=Riley|first1=Kathleen|date=27 April 2005|publisher=Univ of Hertfordshire Press }}</ref> He won screen acclaim, while his ravaged ''[[King Lear]]'' at [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]], while he was still in his early forties, formed a double act with a red-nosed [[Antony Sher]] as the Fool sitting on his master's knee like a ventriloquist's doll.

=== 1995–2003: Broadway debut and film roles ===
There were also appearances in [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[Old Times]]'' at the [[Haymarket Theatre]] and [[Ben Jonson]]'s ''[[Volpone]]'' and the brutal sergeant in Pinter's ''[[Mountain Language]]''. In 1995, Gambon starred in [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]]'s ''[[Skylight (play)|Skylight]]'', with [[Lia Williams]], which opened to rave reviews at the National Theatre. The play transferred first to [[Wyndham's Theatre]] and then on to [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] at the [[Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre]] for a four-month run which left him in a state of advanced exhaustion.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/skylight-royale-theatre-vault-0000010192|title= Skylight (Broadway, 1996)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> "''Skylight'' was ten times as hard to play as anything I've ever done" he told Michael Owen in the ''[[Evening Standard]]''. "I had a great time in New York, but wanted to return." ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote of his performance, "Gambon, an Irishman revered on the London stage, gives his rough-hewn character a grace that goes beyond the physical".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1996/legit/reviews/skylight-1200446753/|title= Skylight|website= Variety|date= 20 September 1996|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> For this performance Gambon received his only [[Tony Award]] nomination for [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Actor in a Play]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/person/michael-gambon-vault-0000093415|title= Michael Gambon|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref>

He later starred as [[Fyodor Dostoyevsky]] in the Hungarian director [[Károly Makk]]'s film ''[[The Gambler (1997 film)|The Gambler]]'' (1997) about the writing of Dostoyevsky's novella ''[[The Gambler (novella)|The Gambler]]''. In the 1990s he appeared in films such as, [[Barry Levinson]]'s fantasy comedy ''[[Toys (film)|Toys]]'' (1992), the period drama ''[[Dancing at Lughnasa]]'' (1998), the action film ''[[Plunkett & Macleane]]'' (1998), [[Michael Mann]]'s political drama ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' (1999) and [[Tim Burton]]'s gothic horror film ''[[Sleepy Hollow (film)|Sleepy Hollow]]'' (1999). He also appeared in the BBC serial ''[[Wives and Daughters (1999 TV series)|Wives and Daughters]]'' (1999) based on the [[Wives and Daughters|Victorian novel by the same name]] by [[Elizabeth Gaskell]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/michael-gambon-obituary-singing-detective-maigret-harry-potter-star|title= Michael Gambon obituary: The Singing Detective, Maigret and Harry Potter star|date= 29 September 2023|publisher= British Film Institute|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> He portrayed Squire Hamley and received his second [[BAFTA Award]] nomination and win for Best Actor.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Wives+and+daughters | title = BAFTA Award Database | accessdate = 2013-09-10}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Gambon's performance as 'Gruff on the outside, with a huge sentimental streak, the country squire is a familiar type, but he makes him seem endearing and fresh.'<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/30/movies/tv-weekend-a-strawberry-and-cream-past-spiced-with-romance.html|title=TV WEEKEND; A Strawberry-and-Cream Past, Spiced With Romance|first=Caryn|last=James|date=March 30, 2001|accessdate=November 17, 2023|magazine=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

During the 2000s, Gambon appeared in several films including [[Robert Altman]]'s murder mystery ensemble ''[[Gosford Park]]'' (2001) where he acted alongside [[Maggie Smith]], [[Helen Mirren]], [[Kristin Scott Thomas]], [[Kelly Macdonald]], [[Emily Watson]] and [[Stephen Fry]]. Gambon portrays Sir William McCordle, the imperious master of Gosford Park who has invited distinguished company for a weekend shooting party before a murder throws everything into chaos. ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' declared the film, "Altman's best movie in years - an astute exploration of British culture that can stand proudly with his satires of American life. Atmospheric, absorbing, amusing and really fun."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/gosford-park-review/|title= Gosford Park review|website= Empire|date= January 2000|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> The film earned the [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film]] as well as nominations for six [[Academy Award]] including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]. In 2003, he appeared with [[Robert Duvall]] and [[Kevin Costner]], playing the principal villain in the Western film ''[[Open Range (2003 film)|Open Range]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/449572/open-range/#overview|title= Open Range|website= TCM|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> Gambon was not among the actors to grace [[Yasmina Reza]]'s ''[['Art']]'' at Wyndham's. But together with [[Simon Russell Beale]] and [[Alan Bates]], he gave a droll radio account of the role of Marc. And for the RSC he shared Reza's two-hander ''[[The Unexpected Man]]'' with [[Eileen Atkins]], first at The Pit in the Barbican and then at the [[Duchess Theatre]], a production also intended for New York, but finally delayed by other commitments.

In 2001, he played what he described as "'a physically repulsive" Davies in [[Patrick Marber]]'s revival of Pinter's ''[[The Caretaker (play)|The Caretaker]]'',<ref name="BBC News-2023" /> but he found the rehearsal period an unhappy experience, and felt that he had let down the author.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} A year later, playing opposite [[Daniel Craig]], he portrayed the father of a series of cloned sons in [[Caryl Churchill]]'s ''[[A Number]]'' at the [[Royal Court Theatre|Royal Court]], remembered for a recumbent moment when he smoked a cigarette, the brightly lit spiral of smoke rising against a black backdrop, an effect which he dreamt up during rehearsals. Gambon starred in a made-for-TV adaptation of [[Samuel Beckett]]'s ''[[Endgame (play)|Endgame]]'' (2001) and ''[[Perfect Strangers (UK TV serial)|Perfect Strangers]]'' (2001) which together revealed his talent for comedy. Gambon played President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in the television film ''[[Path to War]]''. About his performance ''[[The Washington Post]]'' said: "Gambon is entirely up to the task of making a larger-than-life icon seem painfully – and in the end, helplessly – human. It is a performance of fire and brimstone".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/05/18/hbos-powerful-path-to-war-the-drama-that-was-lbj/b5377349-f101-4365-97c1-ee2f2db0cc4a/|title=HBO's Powerful 'Path to War': The Drama That Was LBJ|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=18 May 2002}}</ref> He was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]] for Best Actor in a Mini-series or Movie and a [[Golden Globe Award]] for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.

=== 2004–2011: ''Harry Potter'' and acclaim ===
[[File:Michael Gambon on the set of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.png|thumb|upright|Gambon as [[Albus Dumbledore]] on the set of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' in 2008]]
He played [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Hogwarts]]' headmaster in the third instalment of [[J. K. Rowling]]'s franchise, ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' (2004), taking over the role after the death of [[Richard Harris]] in 2002; Harris had also played Maigret on television four years before Gambon took that role.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2023/09/28/1202300771/michael-gambon-dead-dumbledore-harry-potter|title= Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter,' dies at 82|work= NPR|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> Gambon reprised the role of Dumbledore in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' (2005), which was released in November 2005 in the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/542187/harry-potter-and-the-goblet-of-fire#overview|title= Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|website= TCM|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> He returned to the role again in the fifth film, ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2007) and the sixth film, ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' (2009).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/643212/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix#overview|title= Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|website= TCM|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/676931/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince#overview|title= Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince|website= TCM|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> He appeared in the final two films of the series, ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]'' (2010) and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Part 2]]'' (2011). Gambon told an interviewer that, when playing Dumbledore, he did not "have to play anyone really. I just stick on a beard and play me, so it's no great feat. I never ease into a role – every part I play is just a variant of my own personality. I'm not really a character actor at all."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking.asp?ID=209|title=Q&A with Michael Gambon, Professor Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter|publisher=Futuremovies.co.uk|date=5 July 2007|access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2004, he appeared in five films, including [[Wes Anderson]]'s cult comedy ''[[The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou]]''; the British gangster film ''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]''; and theatrical drama ''[[Being Julia]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/533904/the-life-aquatic-with-steve-zissou#overview|title= The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou|website= TCM|access-date= November 2, 2023}}</ref> In 2004, Gambon played the lead role (Hamm) in [[Samuel Beckett]]'s post-apocalyptic play ''[[Endgame (play)|Endgame]]'' at the [[Albery Theatre]], London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlinereviewlondon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258:endgame-may&catid=204:endgame&Itemid=286|title=Endgame|publisher=Onlinereviewlondon.com|date=8 May 2004|access-date=8 November 2011|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001021009/http://www.onlinereviewlondon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258:endgame-may&catid=204:endgame&Itemid=286|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2005, he finally achieved a lifelong ambition to play [[Falstaff]], in [[Nicholas Hytner]]'s National production of ''Henry IV, Parts [[Henry IV, Part 1|1]] and [[Henry IV, Part 2|2]]'', co-starring with [[Matthew Macfadyen]] as Prince Hal. Michael Billington in ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote that Gambon's Falstaff "conveyed a growing sense of age, decrepitude and melancholy".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/may/05/theatre1|title= Henry IV|website= The Guardian|date= 4 May 2005|accessdate= November 2, 2023|last1= Billington|first1= Michael}}</ref> In 2006, Gambon performed voiceover for a series of [[Guinness]] advertisements featuring penguins.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 August 2006|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOlH4LOxFw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/sfOlH4LOxFw| archive-date=29 October 2021|title=Guinness Penguins|via=YouTube|access-date=14 March 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Also in 2006, he performed as Joe in Beckett's ''[[Eh Joe]]'', giving two performances a night at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]] in London. That same year, he played Henry in [[Stephen Rea]]'s play about [[Samuel Beckett]]'s ''[[Embers]]'' for Radio 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007g0x0|title=BBC – Drama on 3 – ''Embers''|publisher=BBC|date=16 May 2010|access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref> In 2007, he was Sam in [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[The Homecoming]]'' for Radio 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/dramaon3/pip/xp8tt|title=BBC – Drama on 3 – ''The Homecoming''|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2007|access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2007, Gambon portrayed [[Charles James Fox|Lord Charles Fox]] in [[Michael Apted]]'s historical drama ''[[Amazing Grace (2006 film)|Amazing Grace]]'' alongside [[Ioan Gruffudd]], [[Romola Garai]], [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], [[Albert Finney]] and [[Rufus Sewell]]. The film focuses on [[William Wilberforce]], who led the campaign against the slave trade in the British Empire.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/pictures/image/0,,-1090329735448,00.html|title= Who's who in Amazing Grace|website= The Guardian|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> The film is highly rated according to [[Rotten Tomatoes]] with critics' consensus describing it as "your quintessential historical biopic: stately, noble, and with plenty of electrifying performances".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10007415_amazing_grace|title=Amazing Grace (2007)|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> That same year, he played major roles in the acclaimed BBC five-part adaptation of [[Mrs Gaskell]]'s ''[[Cranford (TV series)|Cranford]]'' novels alongside [[Judi Dench]] and [[Imelda Staunton]], and in [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s ''[[Joe's Palace]]''. In 2008, Gambon appeared in the role of Hirst in ''[[No Man's Land (play)|No Man's Land]]'' by [[Harold Pinter]] in the [[Gate Theatre]], Dublin, opposite [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]] as Spooner, in a production directed by [[Rupert Goold]], which transferred to the London West End's [[Duke of York's Theatre]], for which both roles each received nominations for the 2009 [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor]]. After Pinter's death on 24 December 2008, Gambon read Hirst's [[monologue]] selected by the playwright for Gambon to read at his funeral, held on 31 December 2008, during the cast's memorial remarks from the stage as well as at the funeral and also in ''Words and Music'', transmitted on the [[BBC Radio 3]] on 22 February 2009.<ref>Michael Gambon (Reader), ''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00hsl68 Words and Music: Harold Pinter]''. Transmitted on [[BBC Radio 3]], 22 February 2009. 22 February 2009. (Accessible for 7 days afterward on "Listen again" on BBCiPlayer.)</ref> In late 2009, Gambon had to withdraw from his role of [[W. H. Auden]] in ''[[The Habit of Art]]'' (being replaced by [[Richard Griffiths]]) because of ill health.

In April 2010, Gambon returned once again to the Gate Theatre Dublin to appear in [[Samuel Beckett]]'s ''[[Krapp's Last Tape]]'', which transferred to London's Duchess Theatre in October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/sep/26/michael-gambon-krapps-last-tape-duchess|access-date=7 February 2015|publisher=Duchess Theatre|title=Krapp's Last Tape|author=Kellaway, Kate|date=25 September 2010 }}</ref> In 2009, he appeared in a television adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s famously irrepressible ''[[Emma (2009 TV serial)|Emma]]'', a four-hour miniseries that premiered on BBC One in October 2009, co-starring [[Romola Garai]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Anita|last=Singh|title=Romola Garai to play Emma in BBC's latest Jane Austen adaptation|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/5100713/Romola-Garai-to-play-Emma-in-BBCs-latest-Jane-Austen-adaptation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/5100713/Romola-Garai-to-play-Emma-in-BBCs-latest-Jane-Austen-adaptation.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|date=4 April 2009|access-date=15 November 2009|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He played Mr Woodhouse, for which he received a 2010 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]] nomination for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010|title= 2010 Emmy Awards|website= Emmy Awards|accessdate= November 2, 2023}}</ref> In 2010, Gambon took a supporting role in [[Tom Hooper]]'s historical drama ''[[The King's Speech]]'' where he portrayed an ailing [[King George V]]. He acted alongside [[Colin Firth]], [[Geoffrey Rush]], [[Helena Bonham Carter]] and [[Guy Pearce]]. In 2011, the film received 12 [[Academy Awards]] nominations, more than any other film in that year. The film won four Oscars including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Director]], [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Actor]] and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Adapted Screenplay]]. Gambon appeared in the 2010 Christmas Special of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', "[[A Christmas Carol (Doctor Who)|A Christmas Carol]]".<ref>Michael Gambon Appears on BBC, ''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10601111 Katherine Jenkins to star in Christmas Doctor Who]''.</ref> During the 2010s, he was also known for his voice work. He appeared as the Narrator in the British version of ''[[Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire]]''. In 2013, Gambon provided the voice for The Prophet, a character in the [[MMORPG]] video game ''[[The Elder Scrolls Online]]''.

=== 2012–2019: Television projects and final roles ===
[[File:Michael Gambon as Private Godfrey in Dad's Army (cropped).JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.3|180px|Gambon on the set of ''[[Dad's Army (2016 film)|Dad's Army]]'' in October 2014]]
In 2012, he starred with [[Eileen Atkins]] in an adaptation of Beckett's radio play, ''[[All That Fall]]''. The director, [[Trevor Nunn]], staged the performance as a studio recording of a radio play so that the cast performed with script in hand.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spencer |first1=Charles |author1-link=Charles Spencer (journalist) |title=All That Fall, Jermyn Street Theatre, London, review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/9602406/All-That-Fall-Jermyn-Street-Theatre-London-review.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=12 October 2012}}</ref> Its premiere was at the [[Jermyn Street Theatre]] and it later transferred to the [[Arts Theatre]]. In November 2013 the production transferred to [[59E59 Theaters]] in New York.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brantley |first1=Ben |author1-link=Ben Brantley |title=Funny, How Gravity Pulls Us, and the Safety Net Is an Illusion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/theater/reviews/michael-gambon-and-eileen-atkins-in-all-that-fall.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Also 2012, Gambon reunited with [[Dustin Hoffman]] in the [[HBO]] horse-racing drama ''[[Luck (TV series)|Luck]]'', which was cancelled in March 2012 after three horses died on set.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=21 March 2010|title=Casting Call|magazine=TV Guide}}</ref> Gambon participated in the live event, ''[[National Theatre Live: 50 Years On Stage]]'' (2013), a production that was a part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2013/nov/04/national-theatre-50th-birthday-highlights|title= National theatre's 50th birthday: what were your highlights?|website= The Guardian|date=8 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alberge |first1=Dalya |title=National Theatre: Night of the stars celebrates 50 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/nov/03/national-theatre-50th-anniversary-celebration |website=The Observer |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=3 November 2013}}</ref> The presentation included live performances, interspersed with documentary footage, and archival footage of live performances of original productions from the National Theatre. Gambon joined [[Derek Jacobi]] in a live performance from ''[[No Man's Land (play)|No Man's Land]]'' by [[Harold Pinter]]. In 2012, he played a role in [[Dustin Hoffman]]'s directorial debut with ''[[Quartet (2012 film)|Quartet]]'', based on the [[Quartet (Harwood)|same-titled play]] by [[Ronald Harwood]] and starring [[Maggie Smith]], [[Tom Courtenay]], [[Billy Connolly]] and [[Pauline Collins]]. The film premiered at the [[2012 Toronto International Film Festival]] to favourable reviews. The review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported an 80% approval rating with the consensus reading, "It's sweet, gentle, and predictable to a fault, but Dustin Hoffman's affectionate direction and the talented cast's amiable charm make Quartet too difficult to resist."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/quartet_2012|title=Quartet (2013)|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> The following year, he was cast in the role of Howard Mollison in the [[The Casual Vacancy (miniseries)|adaptation]] of the best-selling book ''[[The Casual Vacancy]]'' by J.K. Rowling.<ref name="casualvacancy">{{cite news|title=BBC, HBO Announce Cast for J. K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' Minisseries|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bbc-hbo-announce-cast-for-j-k-rowlings-the-casual-vacancy-miniseries-1201214930|work=Variety|date=6 June 2014|access-date= 12 August 2014}}</ref> The BBC One miniseries, produced in association with HBO, consists of three one-hour parts. Production began 7 July 2014 in South West England.<ref name="casualvacancy" />

In early 2015, Gambon announced that due to the increasing length of time it was taking him to memorise his lines, he was giving up stage work. He had previously tried using an earpiece and being given prompts by theatre staff, but found this unsatisfactory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Arts/article1516533.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208210928/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Arts/article1516533.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2015|date=8 February 2015|access-date=8 February 2015|author=Harrison, David|title=Unscripted end to Gambon's career on stage|work=The Sunday Times|location=UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11398887/Sir-Michael-Gambon-forced-to-quit-theatre-due-to-frightening-memory-loss.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11398887/Sir-Michael-Gambon-forced-to-quit-theatre-due-to-frightening-memory-loss.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sir Michael Gambon forced to quit theatre due to 'frightening' memory loss|date=8 February 2015|work=The Telegraph|access-date=8 February 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2015 and 2018, Gambon starred as Henry Tyson in the first and third series of [[Sky Atlantic]]'s ''[[Fortitude (TV series)|Fortitude]]''. In 2016, Gambon was the narrator for the [[Coen Brothers]]' Hollywood comedy ''[[Hail, Caesar!]]'', which satirised the 1950s [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film industry and featured an ensemble cast including [[Josh Brolin]], [[George Clooney]], [[Alden Ehrenreich]], [[Ralph Fiennes]], [[Jonah Hill]], [[Scarlett Johansson]], [[Frances McDormand]], [[Tilda Swinton]] and [[Channing Tatum]]. The film was well received by critics, earning an approval rating of 86% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] with the consensus being, "Packed with period detail and perfectly cast, ''Hail, Caesar!'' finds the Coen brothers delivering an agreeably lightweight love letter to post-war Hollywood."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hail_caesar_2016|title=Hail, Caesar! (2016)|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> The film also received an [[Academy Award]] nomination for its [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Production Design]]. Gambon then appeared in comedy film ''[[Dad's Army (2016 film)|Dad's Army]]'' playing the iconic [[Private Godfrey]], based on [[Arnold Ridley]], who had played the character in the original classic BBC series of the [[Dad's Army|same name]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} Gambon also provided voice-overs as Uncle Pastuzo in the [[Paddington (film series)|''Paddington'' films]]<ref name=Wiegand /> (2014, 2017).<ref name=Billington>{{cite web |last1=Billington |first1=Michael |title=Sir Michael Gambon obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/sep/28/michael-gambon-obituary |website=The Guardian |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=28 September 2023}}</ref> In March 2018, it was announced that Gambon would star in the comedy series ''[[Breeders (TV series)|Breeders]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|title=Avalon Developing Martin Freeman Comedy 'Breeders' For BBC & FX|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/avalon-developing-martin-freeman-comedy-breeders-for-bbc-fx-1202313371/|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=7 March 2018|access-date=3 March 2020|language=en}}</ref> However, in April 2019, it was reported that Gambon left the series as he was having trouble memorising lines due to his issues with memory loss.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearce|first=Tilly|title=Sir Michael Gambon 'steps down from new sitcom after struggling with memory loss'|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/21/sir-michael-gambon-steps-new-sitcom-struggling-memory-loss-9281192/|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=21 April 2019|access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref> In 2019, he appeared in the biographical film ''[[Judy (film)|Judy]]'', about [[Judy Garland]], starring [[Renée Zellweger]], [[Rufus Sewell]], [[Finn Wittrock]] and [[Jessie Buckley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/111828-jessie-buckley-had-tears-in-her-eyes-watching-renee-zellweger-play-judy/ |title=Jessie Buckley had tears in her eyes watching Renee Zellweger play Judy |website=The List |date=1 October 2019 |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119063521/https://list.co.uk/article/111828-jessie-buckley-had-tears-in-her-eyes-watching-renee-zellweger-play-judy/ |archive-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> That same year Gambon appeared in his final film role in [[Adrian Shergold]]'s period thriller ''[[Cordelia (2019 film)|Cordelia]]'', acting alongside [[Johnny Flynn]] and [[Catherine McCormack]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3734688/ |title=Cordelia |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Gambon married mathematician Anne Miller in 1962.<ref name=Billington /> Known for being protective of his privacy, he once responded to an interviewer's question about his wife by asking, "What wife?". The couple had homes in [[Gravesend]], Kent, and [[Aldeburgh]], Suffolk.<ref name = Davidson>{{cite news|url = https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23821122.sir-michael-gambon-dies-stars-aldeburgh-recycling-fight/|title = Sir Michael Gambon dies: Star's Aldeburgh recycling fight|last = Earth|first = Matthew|date = 28 September 2023|accessdate = 28 September 2023|newspaper = [[East Anglian Daily Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Mirror">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/casual-vacancys-sir-michael-gambons-5171035|title=The Casual Vacancy's Sir Michael Gambon's TWO families revealed: Wife of 50 years and lover 25 years younger|work=Daily Mirror|location=UK|date=16 February 2015|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> They had one son, Fergus (born around 1964),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Govan |first=Chloe |date=2023-09-28 |title=Inside Michael Gambon's life with Antiques Roadshow star son and younger partner |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1817738/Michael-Gambon-private-life-death-partner-wife-son-antiques-roadshow |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> who later became a ceramics expert on the BBC series ''[[Antiques Roadshow]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2016/08/26/emotions-run-high-on-antiques-roadshow-as-expert-fergus-gambon-uncovers-rare-dolls-worth-200000-6091407/|title=Emotions run high on Antiques Roadshow as expert Fergus Gambon uncovers rare dolls worth £200,000|work=Metro|location=UK|date=26 August 2016|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>

Gambon brought Philippa Hart, a woman 25 years his junior, to the set while filming the 2001 film ''[[Gosford Park]]'' and introduced her to his co-stars as his girlfriend. When their affair was publicly revealed in 2002, he moved out of the home he shared with his wife, though they later reconciled.<ref name = Mirror/><ref name = Nightingale>{{cite news|title = Michael Gambon, Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' Films, Dies at 82|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/arts/michael-gambon-dead.html|last = Nightingale|first = Benedict|date = 29 September 2023|accessdate = 29 September 2023|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|page = A1|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He was with Hart, a set designer, from 2000, when they worked together on [[Channel 4]] series [[Longitude (TV series)|''Longitude'']].<ref name = Nightingale/><ref name="Mirror"/> In February 2007, it was revealed that Hart was pregnant with Gambon's child and gave birth to a son.<ref name="Mirror"/> The couple had a second son in 2009.<ref name="Mirror"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Harry Potter actor Sir Michael Gambon becomes a father at 68 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5599810/Harry-Potter-actor-Sir-Michael-Gambon-becomes-a-father-at-68.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5599810/Harry-Potter-actor-Sir-Michael-Gambon-becomes-a-father-at-68.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=22 June 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> They owned a home in [[West London]].<ref name = Mirror/>

In the [[1998 New Year Honours|New Year Honours 1998]], Gambon was appointed a [[Knight Bachelor]] for services to drama.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54993 |date=30 December 1997 |pages=1–2  |supp=1}}</ref> On 17 July 1998, he was invested by [[Prince Charles]] at [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=55229|page=8994|date=18 August 1998}}</ref>

Gambon was a qualified private pilot. His love of cars led to his appearance on the BBC series ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''. He raced the [[Suzuki Liana]] so aggressively that it went around the last corner of his lap on two wheels. The final corner of the [[Top Gear test track|''Top Gear'' test track]] was named "Gambon Corner" or simply "Gambon" in his honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Gear, Season 1, Episode 8|url=http://www.motoringbox.com/cars/entertainment/top-gear/episode-guides/series-1/series-1-episode-8/|website=Motoringbox.com|date=29 December 2002 |access-date=25 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-1/episode-8 | work=Top Gear | access-date=5 October 2014 | title=The one with Gambon corner | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010162958/http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-1/episode-8 | archive-date=10 October 2014}}</ref> He appeared on the programme again in 2006 and set a time in the [[Chevrolet Lacetti]] of 1:50.3, a significant improvement on his previous time of 1:55. He clipped his namesake corner the second time, and when asked why by [[Jeremy Clarkson]], replied, "I don't know, I just don't like it."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.topgearbox.com/2006/episode-guides/series-8/series-8-episode-5/ | work=Top Gear | title=Top Gear: Series 8, Episode 5 | access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

Gambon died in [[Witham]] on 27 September 2023, aged 82, following a bout of [[pneumonia]].<ref name = Nightingale/><ref name = Davidson/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Davidson|first=Tom|date=28 September 2023|title=Sir Michael Gambon dead: Legendary Harry Potter and The Singing Detective actor dies peacefully in hospital|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/michael-gambon-dead-harry-potter-actor-b1110061.html|website=Evening Standard|access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref> Gambon made headlines in March 2024, when it was revealed that Philippa Hart, his long-term girlfriend and mother of two of his sons, had been left nothing in the actor's will. Almost all of Gambon's fortune was passed to Lady Gambon, his wife of 61 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/michael-gambon-death-will-harry-potter-b2507766.html|title=Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon's wife inherits £1.5 million fortune|website=[[The Independent]] |date=6 March 2024|access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref>

==Acting credits==
{{main|Michael Gambon on screen and stage}}

==Awards and nominations==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Michael Gambon}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!| Year
!| Award
!| Category
!| Nominated work
!| Result
|-
| [[51st Tony Awards|1997]]
|[[Tony Award]] 
|[[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Actor in a Play]]
|''[[Skylight (play)|Skylight]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1979 Laurence Olivier Awards|1979]]
| rowspan=13|[[Olivier Awards]] 
| Best Actor of the Year in a New Play
|''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1980 Laurence Olivier Awards|1980]]
| Best Actor in a Revival
|''[[The Life of Galileo]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1983 Laurence Olivier Awards|1983]]
|Best Actor in a New Play
|''[[Christopher Hampton|Tales from Hollywood]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1986 Laurence Olivier Awards|1986]]
| Best Comedy Performance
|''[[A Chorus of Disapproval (play)|A Chorus of Disapproval]]'' 
|{{win}}
|-
| [[1988 Laurence Olivier Awards|1988]]
| Best Actor 
|''[[A View from the Bridge]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| [[1990 Laurence Olivier Awards|1990]]
| Best Comedy Performance
|''[[Man of the Moment (play)|Man of the Moment]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| [[1997 Laurence Olivier Awards|1997]]
| rowspan=7|Best Actor
|''[[Skylight (play)|Skylight]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1998 Laurence Olivier Awards|1998]]
|''[[Aleksandr Ostrovsky|Tom and Clem]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[1999 Laurence Olivier Awards|1999]]
|''[[The Unexpected Man]]'' 
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2001 Laurence Olivier Awards|2001]]
|''[[The Caretaker (play)|The Caretaker]]'' 
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2003 Laurence Olivier Awards|2003]]
|''[[A Number]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2005 Laurence Olivier Awards|2005]]
|''[[Endgame (play)|Endgame]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2009 Laurence Olivier Awards|2009]]
|''[[No Man's Land (play)|No Man's Land]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[60th Golden Globe Awards|2002]]
| [[Golden Globe Award]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television|Best Actor in a Mini-Series or a TV Movie]]
|rowspan=2|''[[Path to War]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie|Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[62nd Primetime Emmy Awards|2010]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie]]
|''[[Emma (2009 TV serial)|Emma]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[8th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2001]]
| rowspan=2|[[Screen Actors Guild Award]] 
| rowspan="2" | [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Cast in a Motion Picture]]
|''[[Gosford Park]]''
|{{won}}
|-
| [[17th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2010]]
|''[[The King's Speech]]''
|{{won}}
|-
| 1987
| rowspan=4|[[British Academy Television Awards]]
|rowspan=4|[[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[The Singing Detective]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| [[2000 British Academy Television Awards|2000]]
|''[[Wives and Daughters (1999 TV series)|Wives and Daughters]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| [[2001 British Academy Television Awards|2001]]
|''[[Longitude (TV series)|Longitude]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| [[2002 British Academy Television Awards|2002]]
|''[[Perfect Strangers (TV serial)|Perfect Strangers]]''
|{{win}}
|-
| 2012
|[[British Independent Film Awards]]
|[[British Independent Film Award – The Richard Harris Award|The Richard Harris Award]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bifa.film/awards/2012/winners-nominations/#The-Richard-Harris-Award | publisher=BIFA | title=WINNERS & NOMINATIONS | date=24 October 2012 | access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
|''Honorary''
|{{win}}
|}

==Explanatory notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* ''Who's Who in the Theatre'', Fourteenth edition, Pitman (1967) for National Theatre at the Old Vic playbills
* ''Who's Who in the Theatre'', Seventeenth edition, Gale (1981), {{ISBN|0-8103-0235-7}}, for Michael Gambon's own CV up to 1980
* "Giant of the Stage: A Profile of Michael Gambon" by John Thaxter, ''The Stage'' newspaper, 16 November 2000
* ''Gambon: A Life in Acting'' by [[Mel Gussow]], Nick Hern Books (2004), {{ISBN|1-85459-773-6}}
* ''Theatre Record'' and ''Theatre Record'' annual indexes 1981–2007

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iMDb name|2091}}
* {{Screenonline name|873714|Michael Gambon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090310044231/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/michael_gambon_biog.html Biography] at [[Tiscali UK]]
* [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/apr/23/guesteditors2 2004 Interview with Sir Michael Gambon] ''[[The Guardian]]'' (23 April 2004)
* [http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2273:theartsdesk-qa-actor-michael-gambon&Itemid=80/ theartsdesk Q&A with Michael Gambon] (25 September 2010)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120716120220/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2ba1555387 Gambon's filmography] at the [[British Film Institute]]

{{Navboxes 
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Gambon|Awards for Michael Gambon]]
| list =
{{British Academy Television Award for Best Actor}}
{{Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actor}}
{{Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor}} 
{{OlivierAward PlayActor 1985–2000}}
{{OlivierAward ComedyPerformance}}
{{The Richard Harris Award}}
{{RTS Programme Award for Best Performance by a Male Actor}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gambon, Michael}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
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[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:Audiobook narrators]]
[[Category:Best Actor BAFTA Award (television) winners]]
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[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Laurence Olivier Award winners]]
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[[Category:Male actors from Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Cabra, Dublin]]
[[Category:People from Meopham]]
[[Category:Royal Shakespeare Company members]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]