Michael Gambon who played role of headmaster Dumbledore in Harry Potter, passes away
London: British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, widely recognized for his portrayal of the wise Professor Albus Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" film series, passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday. His career, guided by his mentor Laurence Olivier, spanned across theater, television, and film, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Gambon's family confirmed his peaceful passing in a hospital, as reported by PA Media.
Beginning his acting journey on the stage in the early 1960s, Gambon transitioned into television and film, establishing himself as a versatile actor. Notable film roles included a chilling portrayal of a psychotic mob leader in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" in 1989, and his depiction of the elderly King George V in Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech" in 2010.
However, it was his iconic portrayal of Professor Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" franchise that endeared him to audiences worldwide. Gambon took on the role from the third installment of the eight-film series after the passing of Richard Harris in 2004. Despite the acclaim, he humbly attributed his performance to playing himself "with a stuck-on beard and a long robe."
Born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin to a seamstress mother and an engineer father, Michael John Gambon relocated with his family to Camden Town, London, at the age of six, as his father sought work during the post-war reconstruction era.
Gambon's passion for acting led him to leave school at 15 to pursue an engineering apprenticeship, which he completed by the age of 21. However, his involvement in an amateur theater group reinforced his desire to act. Inspired by American actors Marlon Brando and James Dean, whom he believed embodied the struggles of teenage boys, Gambon remained committed to his calling throughout his illustrious career.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP urges compensation, aid after eight Karnataka devotees killed in Andhra road accident
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leaders on Thursday urged the state government to coordinate with authorities in Andhra Pradesh to ensure prompt treatment for the injured and to provide assistance, including adequate compensation, to the families of victims from Karnataka after a road accident in Kurnool district claimed at least eight lives.
Among those killed were five women, and 10 others were injured when a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) collided with a tanker in Mantralayam in Kurnool district on Thursday, police said.
The accident occurred when devotees travelling to Mantralayam for the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy were involved in the crash. The vehicle, carrying nearly 20 passengers, rammed into a tanker.
BJP leaders stated that some of the victims were from Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka.
Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Karnataka BJP leader B Y Vijayendra expressed deep shock over the accident.
He said that eight devotees from the state, who were on their way for darshan at the Mantralayam temple, had lost their lives, calling it extremely heartbreaking that devotees heading for divine darshan met such an untimely end.
“While conveying my deepest condolences to the families of those who have perished in this tragedy, I pray that the injured recover fully and regain their health as soon as possible,” he said.
“I urge the state government to immediately get in touch with the Andhra Pradesh government and take appropriate steps to ensure that the injured receive necessary treatment without delay. The state government must respond promptly on humanitarian grounds, including providing the required assistance,” Vijayendra added.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
“I pray that the injured recover swiftly. The state government must immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and take necessary steps to ensure the injured receive the required medical treatment,” he said in his post on ‘X’.
BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“I urge the state government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical treatment for the injured. May the departed souls attain eternal peace. I pray that their family members find the strength to bear this loss,” he added.
