Sir Michael Gambon, the renowned actor famed for portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore in six out of the eight Harry Potter movies, has passed away at the age of 82, according to his family. Throughout his illustrious five-decade-long career in television, film, theater, and radio, he clinched four Bafta awards.

His wife, Lady Gambon, and son, Fergus, expressed that their cherished husband and father peacefully passed away in a hospital, surrounded by family, after battling pneumonia.

Apart from his iconic role in the Harry Potter film series, adapted from JK Rowling's novels, Sir Michael also took on the character of French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series "Maigret" and gained recognition for his portrayal of Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter's "The Singing Detective" on the BBC.

Originating as a founding member of the Royal National Theatre in London, he delved into numerous Shakespearean plays during his career. His contributions to the entertainment industry were acknowledged with a knighthood in 1998.