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.
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Has Iran given any assurance on Strait of Hormuz: Kejriwal asks PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): AAP convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday sought to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi if Iran has given an assurance that Indian ships would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Modi on Thursday night spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
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In a post on X, the AAP chief asked whether Indians would soon get a reprieve from the serious situation arising out of the West Asia conflict.
"Prime Minister, has the President of Iran assured you that they will allow our ships to pass through Hormuz? Will the countrymen soon be rid of this serious crisis?" Kejriwal said in the post in Hindi.
Notably, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping passage through which India's substantial energy imports come.
Three days back, a bulk oil carrier sailing to India was fired upon by Iranian forces as it was trying to cross through the Strait of Hormuz.
