Updated
- Several stars of the “Harry Potter” franchise have died in recent years.
- These include Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, and Maggie Smith, who died on Friday.
- Here, Business Insider remembers those who helped bring the wizarding world to life.
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It’s been more than 20 years since the first “Harry Potter” film was released and captured the hearts of audiences across the globe.
The film, based on the best-selling book series by J.K. Rowling, told the tale of an 11-year boy who discovers that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own.
The franchise’s large ensemble cast featured many iconic actors, including some who have sadly died. These include Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, and most recently, Maggie Smith, who played Professor McGonagall.
Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith was adored worldwide for her portrayal of the no-nonsense Transfiguration professor, Minerva McGonagall.
The British actor died aged 89 in September 2024, ending her sensational storied career on both stage and screen. Smith — who was honored with a damehood in 1990 — was a two-time Oscar winner and also won several Emmys.
Michael Gambon
Michael Gambon took over the role of Albus Dumbledore from Richard Harris in “Prisoner of Azkaban” until the conclusion of the series.
The British-Irish actor died in September 2023 following a bout of pneumonia, according to a statement released by his family. He was 82.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman played the potions professor, Severus Snape. He was also known for his roles in “Die Hard” (1988), “Sense and Sensibility” (1995), and “Love Actually” (2003).
Rickman died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69 in January 2016, just over a month short of his 70th birthday. He did not go public with his cancer, revealing that it was terminal to only a few of his closest friends, per The Independent.
Helen McCrory
Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, the wife of Lucius Malfoy and the mother of Draco Malfoy.
McCrory died of breast cancer at the age of 52 in April 2021. At the time, her husband Damien Lewis, stated on Twitter that she had died “peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.”
Richard Griffiths
Harry’s miserly uncle, Vernon Dursley, was played by Richard Griffiths in the film adaptations.
Griffiths died from complications following heart surgery in March 2013. He was 65. His final acting credit was in “About Time” (2013), which was released a few months after his death.
Richard Harris
Before Michael Gambon took over the role, Albus Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris. Harris portrayed the Hogwarts headmaster in “Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Chamber of Secrets,” the latter of which was his final film role.
Harris was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in mid-2002 and died just a few months later in October 2002 at the age of 72.
John Hurt
John Hurt took on the supporting role of expert wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in the first and final two “Harry Potter” movies.
In 2017, the actor died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 77. The actor had been first diagnosed two years earlier in 2015.
Roger Lloyd Pack
Roger Lloyd Pack played Ministry of Magic official Barty Crouch Sr. in “Goblet of Fire.”
The actor, who was also well known for his roles in British sitcoms “Only Fools and Horses” and “The Vicar of Dibley,” died of pancreatic cancer aged 69 in January 2014.
Verne Troyer
Verne Troyer portrayed Griphook, one of the grouchy goblin employees at Gringotts Bank in “The Sorcerer’s Stone.”
While his character appeared in the final installment, the role was played by Warwick Davies.
Troyer, who audiences may recognize from his comedic turn as Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” sequels, died at age 49 in April 2018. His death was ruled a suicide by alcohol intoxication, per a coroner’s report seen by the Washington Post.
Paul Ritter
Paul Ritter played Eldred Worple in “Half-Blood Prince,” a wizard writer who offered to pen Harry’s biography for him.
The actor’s death was announced in April 2021, when his family shared a statement confirming that he had died at the age of 54 from a brain tumor.
Robert Hardy
Robert Hardy played Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, in four of the “Harry Potter” movies.
The actor died in 2017 at the age of 91, his family confirmed in a statement to the BBC, although they did not provide a cause of death.
Robert Knox
Robert Knox played Marcus Belby in “Half-Blood Prince,” one of the students Harry meets after being invited to Horace Slughorn’s “Slug Club.”
The actor died at the age of 18 when he was stabbed while trying to defend his younger brother in a fight, per ITV.
Terence Bayler
The Bloody Baron, one of Hogwarts’ resident ghosts, was played by Terence Bayler.
The New Zealand-born actor died in 2016 at the age of 86, according to The Guardian.
Dave Legeno
Dave Legeno played Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf and Death Eater in the latter “Harry Potter” films.
The actor died at the age of 50 in 2014 after going missing on a hike in Death Valley, California. According to the BBC, there were no signs of foul play and the coroner found that he had died from heat-related health issues.
Correction: September 29, 2023 — An earlier version of this story mistakenly included an image of John Cleese playing Nearly Headless Nick rather than Terence Bayler playing The Bloody Baron. The photo was replaced with one of Bayler.