Every Harry Potter Actor Who Is No Longer With Us

Richard Harris – (1 October 1930 - 25 October 2002)

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Richard Harris played Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the wizard school.  He appeared in the first two Harry Potter films.  After his death in 2002, Michael Gambon took on the role for all of the other six films.  Harris had a long acting career and starred in many iconic movies including "The Guns of Navarone" and "The Count of Monte Cristo."

Robert Knox - (21 August 1989 - 24 May 2008)

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Robert Knox starred as Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  He suffered a tragic death in 2008 at the age of only 18. He had tried to protect his brother during a fight and got stabbed to death in the process. Before Harry Potter, Knox had been acting since he was 11, getting small role in British tv programs.

Elizabeth Spriggs - (18 September 1929 - 2 July 2008)

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Elizabeth Spriggs played the living portrait, The Fat Lady, in 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. She guarded the Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts and would ask anyone who wanted to enter what the password was. Spriggs passed away in 2008 and Dawn French was given the role in the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004.

Timothy Bateson - (3 April 1926 - 15 September 2009)

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Timothy Bateson was Kreacher, the old elf in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  He sadly passed away in 2009.  Harry ended up owning Kreacher who had originally belonged to Sirius Black, his late godfather.  He manages to win Kreacher over and teaches him to fight against the forces of Voldemort.

Jimmy Gardner - (24 August 2014 - 3 May 2010)

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Jimmy Gardner was Ernie Prang in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004. He was the Knight bus driver. Gardner died in 2010. He had served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and made his acting debut in the early 1960s, starring in both tv shows and films.

Alfred Burke - (28 February 1918 - 16 February 2011)

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Alfred Burke's character in Harry Potter was Armando Dippet, Dumbledore's predecessor at Hogwarts. Burke lost his life in 2011 after a long acting career. He was a regular at the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing parts in "Romeo and Juliet", "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure" and "Richard II" to name but a few.

Eric Sykes - (4 May 1923 - 4 July 2012)

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British icon Eric Sykes slipped into the character of Frank Bryce, a muggle living in Little Hangleton.  He was a gardener and the number one prime suspect of the murdered family. It wasn't him though. Sykes passed away in 2012 but left a back catalogue of movies, sitcoms and books, to remind us of a one off superstar.

Richard Griffiths - (31 July 1947 - 28 March 2013)

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Richard Griffiths was Vernon Dursley, Harry's uncle in Harry Potter. He was not at all interested in the young wizard or even magic and would show his disdain. Griffiths died in 2013, leaving a big gap in the acting world. Many of you of a certain age will remember him in "Chariots of Fire."  He also performed widely on stage.

Peter Cartwright - (30 August 1935 - 18 November 2013)

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Peter Cartwright was in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2007, playing Elphias Doge. He died 6 years later in 2013. Cartwright was well known in South Africa and especially for the commercial for Castle Lager. David Ryall took over his character for the further films in the franchise.

Roger Lloyd Pack - (8 February 1944 - 15 January 2014)

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Roger Lloyd Pack had played Trigger in the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" before he starred in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005.  He played Barty Crouch Senior, a Ministry of Magic official.  Lloyd Pack passed away in 2014 and the actor is also remembered for performing many Shakespeare plays on stage.

Rik Mayall - (7 March 1958 - June 2014)

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Harry Potter's  time at Hogwarts was dangerous much of the time but also filled with mischief, thanks to the school's resident poltergeist, Peeves.  This character was played by Rik Mayall, one of the first "alternative comedians" in the UK.  There was an outpouring of grief when he died in 2014.

Dave Legeno - (12 October 1963 - July 2014)

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David Legano's character was Fenrir Greyback, a Death eater and werewolf who loved attacking children, catching them off guard. He appeared in three of the films and passed away in 2014. Sadly, he was found dead in Death Valley, California by some shocked hikers.

Derek Deadman - (11 March 1940 - 22 November 2014)

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Derek Deadman was an old hand in British films and tv programs over the years. He played Tom, the landlord and barman of The Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001. Deadman was a familiar face to many and it was a very sad day to learn he had passed away in 2014.

David Ryall - (5 January 1935 – 25 December 2014)

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David Ryall replaced Peter Cartwright as Elphias Doge, Order of the Phoenix member and part of the Ministry of Magic jury. He starred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in 2010. He passed away 4 years later in 2014. Even more poignant, he died on Christmas Day.

Alan Rickman - (21 February 1946 - 14 January 2016)

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Alan Rickman's portrayed Professor Snape, a sarcastic, cold hearted anti hero. He was much loved by the fans of Harry Potter who got to see his emotional depth as time went on.  Everyone was shook to the core to hear of his death from terminal cancer in 2016. He had kept his diagnosis a secret from everyone. Such a brave man and very sadly missed.

Terence Bayler - (24 January 1930 - 2 August 2016)

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Terence Bayler played a ghost, the Bloody Baron, also known as Phillip Strenger. He had been a wizard when alive and now spent his days haunting Hogwarts. The New Zealand actor had been in a vast number of tv shows and movies over the years and Bayler passed away in 2016.

Hazel Douglas - (2 November 1923 - 8 September 2016)

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Bathilda Bagshot was a witch.  She was a magical historian and the author of the book "A History of Magic." Her character in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was played by Hazel Douglas. Hazel died in 2016 aged 93. Her career, spanning decades, was predominantly in sitcoms and dramas.

John Hurt - (22 January 1940 - 25 January 2017)

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John Hurt was a legend in the world of acting which spanned 50 years. He played Garrick Ollivander, an expert at making wands in three of the Harry Potter films. Hurt starred in "The Elephant Man" and "The Naked Civil Servant", based on the life of Quentin Crisp. He died in January 2017.

Sam Beazley - (29 March 1916 - 12 June 2017)

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Sam Beazley appeared as Professor Everard in a painting in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He lived until he was 101 years young, passing away in 2017. Beazley had stepped away from acting to become an antique dealer but took it back up again when he was 73.

Robert Hardy - (29 October 1925 - 3 August 2017)

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Robert Hardy played Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. He had a long career on stage and screen before he died aged 91 in 2017. Cornelius Fudge and had a long career in acting on the stage and screen before he passed away in 2017 at age 91.  His voice performance as Robin Hood was considered to be the absolute best.

Verne Troyer - (1 January 1969 - 21 April 2018)

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Verne Troyer's character in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was Griphook.  Troyer had played some notable parts such as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers' movies.  He passed away aged 49 in 2018.  He was replaced in the further Potter films by Warwick Davis.

Paul Ritter - (20 December 1966 - 5 April 2021)

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Paul Ritter played Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009.  He played a wizard and author. He tragically passed away in 2021 from a brain tumour. Ritter had been in "Quantum of Solace" and a popular British tv show called  "Friday Night Dinner."

Helen McCrory - (17 August 1968 - 16 April 2021)

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Helen McCrory was already a very known actress before she played Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise.  She was the wife of Lucius and mother to Draco.  Her role as Polly in "Peaky Blinders" meant she gained tens of thousands of extra fans!  The actress passed away from breast cancer.  Helen was only 52.

Robbie Coltrane - (30 March 1950 - 14 October 2022)

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When Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid, the 8 ft 6 inch giant/human in Harry Potter passed away last year (2022), fans were devastated.  The friendly and soft hearted gamekeeper was a much loved character who delivered the memorable line, "Yer a wizard Harry."

Leslie Phillips - (20 April 1924 - 7 November 2022)

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Besides Robbie Coltrane, we lost another iconic actor from the Harry Potter films only one month later. That was Leslie Phillips who voiced the Sorting Hat. Philips was a well known British actor who starred in the "Carry On" films and "Doctor in the House."  He was 98.

Paul Grant - (3 February 1967 - 20 March 2023)

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Paul Grant played one of the goblins in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  He was found slumped outside a tube station in London and lost his life soon afterwards in March of this year (2023). Grant was best known for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" where he played an Ewok.

The Oldest Living Actors From Harry Potter

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Dame Maggie Smith is a National Treasure. She portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. Her extensive career has earned her two Academy Awards, a Tony and four Primetime Emmys. She was made a Companion of Honor in 2014 for her services to drama. She is now 88 years old!

Michael Gambon (born October 19, 1940)

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Michael Gambon took over from Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore following Harris' untimely death. Michael's acting career began with Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre and he's been working for over 60 years.  He has received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Olivier Awards and four BAFTA Awards.

Jim Broadbent

(born May 24, 1949)

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Jim Broadbent appeared in the Harry Potter films as Professor Horace Slughorn.  He has received numerous accolades for his acting ability including two BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award.  Broadbent also received nominations for a Grammy and two Primetime Emmys.

Julie Walters

(born February 22, 1950)

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Julie Walters played  Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise,  She had received four British Academy TV Awards, two British Film Awards, a Golden Globe, an International Emmy and a Laurence Olivier Award.  Walters has been in a multitude of successful movies and tv shows.  She was made a Dame in 2017 by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

These famous actors almost had a part in the Harry Potter movies: Tilda Swinton as Professor Trelawney

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Not only did actress Tilda Swinton turn down the role of Professor Trelawney, but she's also made it clear that she's not a huge fan of the franchise in general! She's said that she particularly doesn't agree with boarding schools and the way they're run - so that was a huge turn off for her.

Tom Felton as Harry Potter

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We can't imagine anyone else playing Draco Malfoy (or anyone else playing Harry Potter, for that matter) but Tom Felton did originally audition for the leading role - and even auditioned for Ron Weasley before he settled on Draco Malfoy. That would have been a very different movie!

Rosie O'Donnell as Molly Weasley

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American comedienne and actress Rosie O'Donnell wanted to be in the Harry Potter movies so badly that she even offered to play the part of Molly Weasley for free! Unfortunately, J.K. Rowling wouldn't budge on her rule of only allowing British actors to star.

Robin Williams as Hagrid

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We have no doubt Robin Williams would have brought the magic to any role he chose to go for in the movies, but he specifically wanted to go for the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Once again, though, it was Rowling's 'British' rule that meant the director had to turn down the veteran comedian.

Rosamund Pike as Rita Skeeter

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Rosamund Pike had actually got so far as to sign on for the role of the pesky journalist Rita Skeeter in the fourth installment, Goblet of Fire, but things changed when the actress found out about the fifth movie. Due to her character having very limited screentime, she turned down the role in the end.

Hugh Grant as Gilderoy Lockhart

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We know that Hugh Grant's boyish smile would have won everyone over in the role of Gilderoy Lockhart, so it's no surprise he was actually cast first. But scheduling conflicts meant that Grant couldn't play the handsome DADA teacher in the end, so the role went to Kenneth Branagh.

Henry Cavill as Cedric Diggory

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This may sound strange now, but back then Cavill was a lot younger, of course! Funnily enough, not only was he rejected for the role of Diggory in favor of Pattinson, but also lost out on the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight to Robert Pattinson, too! We wonder if Pattinson would have wished it differently...

Haley Joel Osment as Harry Potter

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The role of the boy wizard was originally going to go to Haley Joel Osment - who made his name in The Sixth Sense - because of director Steven Spielberg's wishes. But due to creative differences between him and Rowling, Spielberg was replaced, and the Osment casting dream never came to fruition!

Kate Winslet as Helena Ravenclaw

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Kate Winset, as a beautiful British actress, would have perfectly fit the bill for the role of the Ravenclaw house ghost - but unfortunately, her own agent had other plans! They turned it down on her behalf, before she even knew she'd been offered it. It's believed the agent thought it wasn't too big enough of a role.

Tim Roth as Professor Snape

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We can't imagine anyone else playing Professor Snape other than Alan Rickman, but it wasn't always supposed to be that way. Tim Roth, famous for his roles in Quentin Tarantino movies, was all set to play the role, but he pulled out at the last minute to star in Planet of the Apes instead.

Helen McCrory as Bellatrix Lestrange

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The role of Bellatrix Lestrange originally went to the late actress Helen McCrory, but she had to change plans when she found out she was pregnant before filming began. Helena Bonham Carter took over the role, and McCrory later returned to play her sister, Narcissa Malfoy, instead.

Naomi Watts as Narcissa Malfoy

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Speaking of Narcissa! Actress Naomi Watts could have actually played Narcissa Malfoy, but apparently her agents take a leaf out of Kate Winslet's, because they turned down the offer on Naomi's behalf. What do you think? Do you think she would have made a good Narcissa?

Sir Ian McKellen as Dumbledore

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If there's one veteran actor who knows how to pull off a good bear, it's Sir Ian McKellen. As we know, the role of Dumbledore had to be replaced when original actor Richard Harris passed away - but McKellen turned down the opportunity, claiming that he wasn't a fan of Harris after the actor had made certain comments about him, so it didn't feel right to fill his shoes!

Liam Aiken as Harry Potter

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There's no doubt that actor Liam Aiken would have fulfilled the looks requirements for the boy wizard, with his messy dark hair and light eyes, but the reason he was turned down was - you guessed it - he's American and not British! Why were they even offering roles to Americans in the first place if Rowling had made it clear?

Alec Guinness as Dumbledore

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It's true that Obi Wan Kenobi almost played the Hogwarts Headmaster - or he would have done if health problems hadn't meant he had to turn it down. During the early development stage of the very first movie, he was considered for the role before he became ill, and sadly passed away not long after.

J.K. Rowling as Lily Potter

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The author herself was actually offered a small cameo in the movie - that of Lily Potter, who would appear in the Mirror of Erised in the first film (and beyond). Rowling turned down the role because she didn't think her talents lay with acting. Needless to say, it probably would have broke the immersion a bit if she'd appeared in the mirror!

Eddie Redmayne as Tom Riddle

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Eddie Redmayne well and truly made the role of Newt Scamander from the spin-off movies his own, but he was originally considered for a very different role indeed. He actually auditioned to play the young version of Tom Riddle - when he still had a nose - but said himself that he "failed" the audition!

Robson Green as Sirius Black

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Robson Green is something of a national treasure in the UK, but primarily with quaint TV roles. It certainly would have been a whole different performance if Green had played Sirius instead of Gary Oldman. Green was actually officially cast, but when directors changed, Oldman replaced him.

Hatty Jones as Hermione

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The final two up for the role of Hermione was the then-unknown actress Emma Watson, and the young actress Hatty Jones, who had already made a name for herself in Madeline. Despite her lack of acting experience, they went with Watson - and we're very glad they did!

Bonus: M. Night Shyamalan almost directed the first movie

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We actually love the idea of the spooky castle element Shyamalan might have brought to the screen if his horror movies are anything to go by - and he was actually approached to direct after Rowling fell out with Spielberg. Shyamalan had to turn it down due to being busy on another movie.