Irish actor Michael Gambon, who was best known for his role as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter movies, has died. He was 82.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” his family said in a statement.
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”
After Richard Harris, who had portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two films, passed away, Gambon assumed the role.
Gambon acknowledged that he had never read any of the Harry Potter books and added, "I'd never seen any of the previous films, but working on the series was huge fun, and for lots of dosh."
Gambon received an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a miniseries or movie for playing Mr Woodhouse in the 2009 production of Jane Austen's Emma, which starred Romola Garai in the title role, in addition to his nomination for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie for Path to War in 2002.
The actor received four BAFTA TV Awards for outstanding actor, first for his game-changing performance in The Singing Detective in 1986, then for Wives and Daughters in 1999, then for the exquisite telepic Longitude in 2000, and finally for Perfect Strangers the following year.
He received three Laurence Olivier Awards, the equivalent of a Tony, for his work in theatre: in 1986, for his performance in Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval, for best comedy performance; in 1988, for his role in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, for best actor; and in 1990, for his comedy performance in Ayckbourn's Man of the Moment. He received another ten nominations for Best Actor.
He won three Laurence Olivier Awards in 1986, for Best Comedy Performance, for Ayckbourn’s A Chorus of Disapproval; in 1988, for Best Actor, for Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge; and in 1990, for Comedy Performance, for Ayckbourn’s Man of the Moment. He was also nominated for best actor a further 10 times.
Gambon made his movie debut in Othello, starring Olivier, in 1965.
At the age of 74, Gambon announced his retirement from stage performing in February 2015 due to memory loss that was making it more and more difficult for him to remember his lines, as per Variety.
A few years prior, due to panic attacks brought on by forgetting his lines, he had been sent urgently to the hospital.
In 1962, he wed Anne Miller, and in 1964, Fergus was born.
Gambon left the Kent home where he lived with his wife in 2002, and he quickly declared Philippa Hart to be his girlfriend.
He is survived by Hart and her two little sons, Michael, born in 2007, and William, born in 2009, in addition to his son Fergus.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.