Remembering theHarry PotterActors We've Lost Through the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Maggie Smith in ‘Harry Potter’.Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Since the world ofHarry Potterwas first introduced to the world more than 25 years ago, fans have become attached to the characters portrayed in the books. Once those characters were depicted on screen, Potterheads began seeing their favorite characters in the actors who played them.Over the years, friends, families and fans have had to mourn the loss of the actors who have died. FromSimon Fisher-BeckerandMaggie SmithtoAlan RickmanandMichael Gambon, look back on the lives of theHarry Potteractors who have died.

Since the world ofHarry Potterwas first introduced to the world more than 25 years ago, fans have become attached to the characters portrayed in the books. Once those characters were depicted on screen, Potterheads began seeing their favorite characters in the actors who played them.

Over the years, friends, families and fans have had to mourn the loss of the actors who have died. FromSimon Fisher-BeckerandMaggie SmithtoAlan RickmanandMichael Gambon, look back on the lives of theHarry Potteractors who have died.

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Simon Fisher-Becker

Simon Fisher-Beckerdied on March 9. 2025 at the age of 63. The actor’s ties to the Harry Potter franchise date all the way back to 2001’sHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,in which he played one of the Hogwarts ghosts.

Fisher-Becker’s husband, Tony, shared the news onFacebookthat day writing, “Hello everyone. This is Tony, Simon’s husband. I have some very sad news. At 2:50 this afternoon Simon passed away. I’ll be keeping this account open for a while. I’m not sure at this point if I’ll be posting again. Thank you.”

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Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith in ‘Harry Potter’.Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Oscar winnerMaggie Smith died on Sept. 27, 2024, at 89 years old. Known for her extensive film work, she appeared in more than 50 films, portraying Professor Minerva McGonagall through the entireHarry Potterfilm series as well as Violet Crawley in theDownton Abbeyseries.

03of 25Michael GambonMichael Gambon.Mike Marsland/WireImageGambon, who was known for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore,died “peacefully” in the hospitalfollowing a “bout of pneumonia,” his rep confirmed to PEOPLE in September 2023. He was 82.“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," the statement began. “Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside.“Over the years, the actor stepped into numerous memorable roles, though found his most widely known character when he took over the role of Dumbledore in 2004’sPrisoner of Azkaban.Richard Harris had played the character in the series' first two films before his death in October 2002.

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Michael Gambon

Michael Gambon.Mike Marsland/WireImage

Gambon, who was known for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore,died “peacefully” in the hospitalfollowing a “bout of pneumonia,” his rep confirmed to PEOPLE in September 2023. He was 82.

“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” the statement began. “Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside.”

Over the years, the actor stepped into numerous memorable roles, though found his most widely known character when he took over the role of Dumbledore in 2004’sPrisoner of Azkaban.Richard Harris had played the character in the series' first two films before his death in October 2002.

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Paul Grant

Paul Grant.Facebook

Grant, an actor and stuntman known for his work in popular fantasy film franchises likeStar WarsandHarry Potter, died in March 2023.He was 56.

Grant was perhaps best known for playing an Ewok inStar Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi(1983) and a Gringotts goblin inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001).

The 4-foot, 4-inch actor lived with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, “a rare genetic disorder” that can cause “short stature and orthopaedic conditions in the joints,” according toJohns Hopkins.

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Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Everett

Rickman’s family confirmed thedeath of the star, who played Severus Snape, toBBCin 2016. The actor died following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.

Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, shared her condolences onFacebook.

“I’m very sad to hear about Alan today,” she wrote. “I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I’ll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you.”

06of 25Leslie PhillipsLeslie Phillips.Staff/The People/Mirrorpix/GettyLeslie Phillips, who voiced the Sorting Hat inHarry Potter, died at 98 in November 2022. His agent told theBBCthat the beloved actor died peacefully in his sleep.“I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman,” his wife, Zara Carr, toldThe Sun. “He was quite simply a national treasure. People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went.”

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Leslie Phillips

Leslie Phillips.Staff/The People/Mirrorpix/Getty

Leslie Phillips, who voiced the Sorting Hat inHarry Potter, died at 98 in November 2022. His agent told theBBCthat the beloved actor died peacefully in his sleep.

“I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman,” his wife, Zara Carr, toldThe Sun. “He was quite simply a national treasure. People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went.”

07of 25Robbie ColtraneRobbie Coltrane.Ian Gavan/Getty, Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett CollectionColtrane, best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in all eightHarry Potterfilms, died in October 2022. He was 72.In theHarry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which aired on HBO Max earlier that year, Coltrane emotionally reflected on his time as Hagrid in the films, which were released between 2001 and 2011.“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 years' time, easy,“he said.“I’ll not be here sadly, but Hagrid will.”

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Robbie Coltrane

Robbie Coltrane.Ian Gavan/Getty, Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

Coltrane, best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in all eightHarry Potterfilms, died in October 2022. He was 72.

In theHarry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which aired on HBO Max earlier that year, Coltrane emotionally reflected on his time as Hagrid in the films, which were released between 2001 and 2011.

“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 years' time, easy,“he said.“I’ll not be here sadly, but Hagrid will.”

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Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths.Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage; Everett

The British actor, who played Harry Potter’s cruel uncle Vernon Dursley, died in 2013 following complications after heart surgery at University Hospital in Coventry, central England. He was 65.

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Richard Harris

Richard Harris.J. Vespa/WireImage; Everett

10of 25

Helen McCrory

Helen McCrory.Jeff Spicer/Getty Images; Everett

Known for her portrayal of Narcissa Malfoy — wife of Lucius Malfoy and mother of Draco Malfoy — McCrory died of cancer at her home in London in April of 2021. She was 52. The star’s husband and fellow actorDamian Lewisshared the sadnews on Twitter.

“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”

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Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer.Ethan Miller/Getty; Warner Bros. Pictures

Although he did not voice the character, Troyer portrayed Griphook inHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. English actorWarwick Davisvoiced the goblin, who worked at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and later replaced Troyer, whodied in 2018. His death was ruled a suicide, six months after he passed on April 21, 2018.

“It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today. Verne was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible,“his family confirmed in a statementshared on Instagram and Facebook at the time.

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Robert Hardy

Robert Hardy.Ian Gavan/Getty; Everett

The acclaimed British actor died at 91 in 2017. Hardy played Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in fourHarry Potterfilms:Chamber of Secrets,Prisoner of Azkaban,Goblet of FireandOrder of the Phoenix.

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John Hurt

John Hurt.Chris Jackson/Getty; Warner Bros. Pictures

“So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died,“Rowling wrote. “My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

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Timothy Bateson

Timothy Bateson.Hallmark Entertainment; Warner Bros. Pictures

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Terence Bayler

Terence Bayler.Warner Bros. Pictures

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Robert Knox

Robert Knox.Warner Bros. Pictures

Prior toHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princehitting theaters, 18-year-old Knox was stabbed to death outside of a London bar in 2008.

In an attempt to come to the aide of his younger brother Jamie, Knox rushed outside the bar where a 22-year-old man named Karl Bishop exploded in a burst of rage and stabbed a group of five people 10 times with kitchen knives. There, Bishop stabbed Robert five times, including in a main artery, which resulted in his death in a hospital later that night.

“Rob was happy, outgoing and a fun person to be with,” his father Colin said in a statement. “Rob always put everyone before himself, was always the first person to stand up against wrong. He achieved so much in his short life.”

17of 25Sam BeazleySam Beazley.Warner Bros. PicturesThe British actor played Professor Everard inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbefore he died in 2017. Beazley passed away in his sleep, according to London newspaperThe Times.He was 101.

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Sam Beazley

Sam Beazley.Warner Bros. Pictures

The British actor played Professor Everard inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbefore he died in 2017. Beazley passed away in his sleep, according to London newspaperThe Times.He was 101.

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Paul Ritter

Paul Ritter.Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

“Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill. He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly,” the statement added.

19of 25

Dave Legeno

Dave Legeno.Shutterstock; Jess Mesa/Warner Bros.

20of 25Peter CartwrightPeter Cartwright.Warner Bros. PicturesThe veteran actor played Elphias Doge, member of the Order of the Phoenix and close friend of Albus Dumbledore, inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbefore he passed away at 78 in London in 2013. British actor David Ryall replaced Cartwright as Doge inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1before he passed a year later at 79 on Christmas day in 2014.

20of 25

Peter Cartwright

Peter Cartwright.Warner Bros. Pictures

The veteran actor played Elphias Doge, member of the Order of the Phoenix and close friend of Albus Dumbledore, inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbefore he passed away at 78 in London in 2013. British actor David Ryall replaced Cartwright as Doge inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1before he passed a year later at 79 on Christmas day in 2014.

21of 25

Derek Deadman

Derek Deadman.Warner Bros. Pictures

22of 25

Hazel Douglas

Well into her 80s, Douglas landed the role of Bathilda Bagshot inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.Bagshot, the author ofA History of Magic,a textbook used at Hogwarts school, was one of Douglas' most prominent roles until she died at 92 in 2016.

23of 25Alfred BurkeAlfred Burke.Warner Bros. PicturesBefore Albus Dumbledore, Armando Dippet was Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Burke played Dippet inHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsbefore he died at the age of 92 in 2011.

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Alfred Burke

Alfred Burke.Warner Bros. Pictures

Before Albus Dumbledore, Armando Dippet was Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Burke played Dippet inHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsbefore he died at the age of 92 in 2011.

24of 25Jimmy GardnerJimmy Gardner.Warner Bros. PicturesThe English actor played Ernie Prang, the driver of the double decker Knight Bus, inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Gardner died in 2010 at 85 years old.

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Jimmy Gardner

Jimmy Gardner.Warner Bros. Pictures

The English actor played Ernie Prang, the driver of the double decker Knight Bus, inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Gardner died in 2010 at 85 years old.

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Elizabeth Spriggs

Elizabeth Spriggs.Shutterstock; Warner Bros. Pictures

source: people.com