Timeline Michael Gambon

Irish-English actor who enjoyed a six-decade career spanning theatre, film and television. Knighted in 1998 for services to drama, he won three Olivier Awards, four BAFTAs and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He is best known internationally for playing Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films.

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Michael Gambon 16

1940 Michael Gambon born in Dublin Born Michael John Gambon in Cabra, Dublin. His family moved to Camden Town, London, when he was six.
1962 Professional Stage Debut Made his professional stage debut at Dublin's Gate Theatre in a production of Othello, having written a fabricated CV to gain entry.
1963 – 1967 National Theatre with Olivier Recruited by Laurence Olivier to join the newly formed National Theatre Company, where he spent four years as one of its original members.
1965 Film Debut in Othello Made his film debut in Stuart Burge's Othello alongside Laurence Olivier, in a small role that marked the beginning of his screen career.
1980 Galileo at the National Theatre Took the lead role in John Dexter's production of Galileo, a performance that catapulted his stage career and cemented his reputation as one of Britain's leading actors.
1985 Olivier Award for A Chorus of Disapproval Won his first Olivier Award for A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn, beginning a run of three Olivier wins in five years.
1986 The Singing Detective Starred as Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective, a BBC television serial widely regarded as one of the greatest TV dramas ever made.
1987 – 1990 Three Olivier Awards Won the Olivier Award for A View from the Bridge (1987) and Man of the Moment (1990), establishing himself as the dominant force in British theatre.
1989 The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover Played the terrifying gangster Albert Spica in Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.
1997 Broadway Debut in Skylight Made his Broadway debut in David Hare's Skylight, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
1998 Knighted Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama, becoming Sir Michael Gambon.
2001 Gosford Park Appeared in Robert Altman's Gosford Park, sharing the screen with an ensemble cast including Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and Kristin Scott Thomas.
2002 Top Gear: The Gambon Corner Appeared on BBC's Top Gear, driving so aggressively that the car went round the final corner on two wheels. The corner was permanently renamed The Gambon in his honour.
2004 – 2011 Dumbledore in Harry Potter Took over the role of Albus Dumbledore from the late Richard Harris, appearing in six of the eight Harry Potter films from Prisoner of Azkaban onwards, introducing the character to a new generation of fans worldwide.
2010 The King's Speech Portrayed King George V in The King's Speech, the Oscar-winning film starring Colin Firth.
2023 Michael Gambon dies in Essex Died peacefully in hospital in Witham, Essex, following a bout of pneumonia, at the age of 82. His wife Anne and son Fergus were at his bedside.