Inside Michael Gambon’s health battle as Harry Potter star dies aged 82 – including disease fear that ‘broke his heart’
SIR Michael Gambon previously spoke about his heartache at giving up on his stage career due to health battles before his tragic death.
The Harry Potter star, who has passed away aged 82, feared he was suffering from a progressive disease that had caused memory loss.
He revealed in 2015 the condition had forced him to give up his beloved stage career as he struggled to remember his lines.
Sir Michael said at the time: “Now I can’t really do theatre. It breaks my heart, but I can’t really remember lines.”
He was able to continue starring in TV and movies using an earpiece so staff could feed him lines.
But the veteran actor, who appeared in over 60 films, pulled out of a TV show in 2019 after again being plagued by memory loss.
He had appeared in the pilot episode of Sky One comedy series Breeders but could not continue with the rest of the series.
At the time a source told The Sun: “Michael is an incredible actor, and was extremely popular on set.
“But age appears to have caught up with him and he was struggling with the script.
“Lines weren’t going in and sticking as they normally would.”
Sir Michael, who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, died peacefully in hospital.
A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”