J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe took the lead in paying tribute to Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon, praising him as an "amazing man" and "brilliant actor". The Dublin-born stage and screen star died peacefully in hospital late Wednesday at the age of 82.
Sir Michael starred in six of the eight Harry Potter films, in which he played Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, the beloved school of witchcraft and wizardry. In 2002, after the death of 72-year-old Irish actor Richard Harris, he took over the role, playing the role from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Rowling said: "Michael, in addition to being a great actor, is a very good person and I really enjoy working with him, not only on Harry Potter but also on Casual Vacancy.
Radcliffe, who played the titular boy wizard with the late actor Dumbledore, praised Sir Michael as "one of the smartest and most relaxed actors" he ever worked with. "Without Michael Gamburn, the world is less interesting," Redcliffe said.
Lady Helen Mirren recalled working with Sir Michael in 1982's Anthony and Cleopatra, praising him as an "extraordinary actor".
She told BBC News she smiled when she thought of him, adding: "Because he's so funny. He has this innate Irish sense of humor, playful but very, very funny. He is very self-deprecating, and at the same time a natural actor and a wonderful person.