29 Harry Potter Actors Who Have Died Since The Movies Were Released
29 actors from the Harry Potter movies have sadly now died.
The ‘Harry Potter’ wizarding books achieved staggering global sales and were adapted into one of the most prosperous film franchises ever.
The movies launched a youthful ensemble into stardom and drew in acclaimed actors such as Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Harris, and Robbie Coltrane.
Regrettably, among the star-studded ensemble, several esteemed actors have departed from us, including some extremely notable figures.
Here is the full list of Harry Potter stars who have now died:
1. Richard Harris – Albus Dumbledore
Richard Harris was an Irish actor known for his roles as King Arthur in Camelot (1967), and Frank Machin in This Sporting Life (1963).
He earned two Academy Award nominations for This Sporting Life and The Field (1990) and won a Golden Globe for Camelot.
Harris portrayed the wizarding school headmaster in the first two Harry Potter films, with Michael Gambon taking over for the remaining six movies after Harris’ passing.
The actor, who hadn’t read the ‘Harry Potter’ books, admitted he was hesitant to take on the role as he didn’t want to commit to multiple sequels.
Yet he was eventually convinced to take on the role by his 11-year-old granddaughter Ella, who threatened to never speak to him again if he refused, reports The Guardian.
Harris sadly passed away aged 72 in 2002 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a relatively aggressive cancer.
2. Robert Knox – Marcus Belby
Robert Knox was an English actor who played Hogwarts student Marcus Belby in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie.
He tragically lost his life at just 18 years old in 2008 when he was stabbed to death outside a London bar while protecting his brother during a fight.
3. Elizabeth Spriggs – The Fat Lady
Elizabeth Spriggs portrayed the Gryffindor common room’s guardian portrait, ‘The Fat Lady,’ in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, requesting the password from those seeking entry.
She sadly passed away in July 2008, aged 78. The official cause of death was listed as a concoction of alcohol, tranquilizers, antiemetic drugs, and painkillers.
Dawn French later took on the role of ‘The Fat Lady.’
4. Timothy Bateson – Kreacher
Timothy Bateson voiced the aging house elf Kreacher in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
According to IMDb, the star was known for his whimsical and eccentric roles. His filmography includes projects like Labyrinth, showcasing his talent for bringing imaginative and otherworldly characters to life.
Bateson died in September 2009 aged 83. Following his passing, Simon McBurney took on the role of Kreacher in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
5. Jimmy Gardner – Ernie Prang
Jimmy Gardner portrayed the iconic Knight Bus driver Ernie Prang in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
He sadly died from pneumonia aged 83 in 2010.
6. Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet
Alfred Burke was famous for his role as Frank Marker in the TV series Public Eye and for portraying Armando Dippet, Dumbledore’s predecessor at Hogwarts.
Burke passed away from a chest infection in February 2011, twelve days before his 93rd birthday.
7. Eric Sykes – Frank Bryce
Eric Sykes played Frank Bryce, a Muggle resident of Little Hangleton who worked as a gardener for the Riddles.
The actor passed away aged 89 in July 2012 following a short illness.
8. Richard Griffiths – Vernon Dursley
Richard Griffiths played the role of Vernon Dursley, Harry Potter’s uncle who harbored a deep dislike for the young wizard and magic in general.
The actor sadly died aged 65 in March 2013 following complications arising from heart surgery.
9. Peter Cartwright – Elphias Doge
Peter Cartwright portrayed the Ministry of Magic jurist and member of the Order of the Phoenix Elphias Doge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before passing in 2013.
The actor sadly died from cancer at his home in London, aged 78.
10. Roger Lloyd Pack – Barty Crouch Senior
Roger Lloyd Pack was best known for playing Trigger in Only Fools and Horses and Owen Newitt in The Vicar of Dibley.
The actor played the role of Barty Crouch Senior in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Pack passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 69 in January 2014.
11. Rik Mayall – Peeves the Poltergeist (Uncredited)
Legendary British actor and comedian Rik Mayall was cast as Peeves the Poltergeist in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
He was ultimately cut from the final movie version, despite filming several scenes as the mischievous ghost.
When promoting his 2011 horror film Evil Calls: The Raven, Miyall divulged that he ‘got sent off the set’ as every time he filmed with the child actors portraying Hogwart students he made them laugh too much. Eventually, the producers gave up on trying to make it work, reports Far Out.
Mayall tragically died of a heart attack in June 2014, aged 56.
12. Derek Deadman – Tom from the Leaky Cauldron
Derek Deadman portrayed Tom, a wizard who served as the landlord, innkeeper, and barman of the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
He died in November 2014 aged 74, sadly succumbing to diabetes-related complications.
Jim Tavaré took over the role of Tom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
13. David Ryall – Elphias Doge
David Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge from Peter Cartwright, appearing as the Ministry of Magic jurist and Order of the Phoenix member in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
The actor died on Christmas Day 2014, aged 79.
14. Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback
Dave Legeno played werewolf and Death Eater Fenrir Greyback, appearing in three Harry Potter films.
The actor tragically died aged 50 in 2014. According to the BBC, he was found dead in California’s Death Valley. There were no signs of foul play and an initial coroner’s report suggested he died from the heat.
15. Alan Rickman – Severus Snape
Alan Rickman was known for his distinctive voice, starring in numerous blockbusters, from Die Hard to Love Actually.
He was particularly cherished for portraying Professor Snape, an anti-hero with a cold, sarcastic demeanor hiding emotional depth.
Surprisingly, Rickman almost quit the role after the first few films.
He was reportedly convinced to stay on after author J.K. Rowling shared a secret about his character’s arc. This revelation helped the actor understand Snape’s deeper motivations.
Rickman sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer aged 69 in January 2016.
16. Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron
New Zealand actor Terence Bayler portrayed the Bloody Baron, a ghost also known as Phillip Strenger, who haunted Hogwarts.
The actor died in August 2016, aged 86.
17. Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot
Hazel Douglas portrayed witch and magical historian Bathilda Bagshot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
She passed away at age 92 in September 2016.
18. John Hurt – Garrick Ollivander
Legendary actor John Hurt gained additional prominence by portraying expert wandmaker Garrick Ollivander across three Harry Potter films.
He sadly lost his battle with cancer in January 2017, at 77 years of age.
19. Sam Beazley – Professor Everard
Sam Beazley portrayed a portrait of Professor Everard in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
He died peacefully in his sleep in June 2017. He was 101 years old.
20. Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge
Robert Hardy, known for his role as Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, enjoyed a lengthy career on stage and screen before passing in 2017 aged 91.
21. Verne Troyer – Griphook
Verne Troyer was best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films. He appeared as Griphook in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The actor tragically died at age 49 in April 2018. His cause of death was ruled to be alcohol intoxication.
22. Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple
Friday Night Dinner‘s Paul Ritter portrayed Eldred Worple, a once favorite student of Professor Slughorn, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
He sadly passed away in April 2021 after suffering from a brain tumor.
23. Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy
Helen McCrory was renowned for her role as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders. She was also a prominent figure in the Harry Potter world, playing the role of Narcissa Malfoy.
The beloved actress tragically died in April 2021 following a battle with breast cancer. She was 52 years old.
24. Robbie Coltrane – Rubeus Hagrid
Robbie Coltrane played the much-loved role of Rubeus Hagrid, the friendly half-giant gamekeeper and groundskeeper at Hogwarts.
The Scottish actor left fans of the franchise in tears during HBO Max’s Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts documentary when he discussed his role in the movies.
He said: “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children… So you could be watching it in 50 year’s time, easily… I’ll not be here, sadly… but Hagrid will, yes.”
Coltrane passed away on October 14, 2022. His death certificate listed the causes as multiple organ failure complicated by sepsis, a lower respiratory tract infection, and heart block.
25. Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat
Leslie Phillips became known for his comedic roles, utilizing his ‘Ding dong’ and ‘Hello’ catchphrases.
In the later years of his career, he voiced the iconic Sorting Hat.
Phillips experienced two strokes with a six-month gap between them when he was 90 years old.
Following a prolonged illness, he passed away peacefully at his London residence in November 2022 at the age of 98.
26. Paul Grant – Goblin (Uncredited)
Paul Grant was an actor and stuntman who played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and an uncredited role as a goblin in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
He tragically died in March 2023, aged 56, after collapsing outside King’s Cross Station in London, as reported by Sky News.
27. Michael Gambon – Albus Dumbledore
Michael Gambon succeeded Harris as Dumbledore from Chamber of Secrets to the end of the main film series, confidently making the role his own.
He passed away in September 2023 after reportedly battling pneumonia. He was 82 years old.
28. Samantha Davis – Goblin (Uncredited)
Warwick Davis’ wife, Samantha, tragically passed away in March 2024, at the age of 53.
She was the founder of the dwarfism charity Little People UK and also an actress, appearing alongside her husband as a goblin in the final Harry Potter film, as per IMDb.
29. Maggie Smith – Minerva McGonagall
Maggie Smith’s career was introduced to a whole new generation when she took on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the entire Harry Potter film series.
Fans were left heartbroken when the internationally acclaimed actress passed away aged 89 in September 2024.
Related Article: Robin Williams Was Turned Down From Playing Hagrid In Harry Potter Due To J.K. Rowling Rule
Related Article: J.K. Rowling Says She’ll Never Forgive Emma Watson And Daniel Radcliffe
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