Richard Harris initially portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies but was replaced due to his declining health. He tragically passed away from Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 72. Michael Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore and played him throughout the rest of the Harry Potter film series.
What happened to the first Harry Potter Dumbledore?
The late Richard Harris was first cast in the role and starred as Dumbledore in the first two movies, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." However, Harris died in 2002 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer.
Albus Dumbledore: Richard Harris played Albus Dumbledore for the first two movies. However, when he passed away, the role was given to Michael Gambon for the remaining movies. 2/11 Elphias Doge: In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," Doge was played by Peter Cartwright.
Gambon died in Witham on 27 September 2023, aged 82, with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Gambon made headlines in March 2024 when it was revealed that Philippa Hart, his long-term girlfriend and mother of two of his sons, had been left nothing in the actor's will.
Harry Potter: Sir Ian McKellen reveals why he turned down Dumbledore role - BBC News
Why is Snape the half-blood prince?
Family. Snape's family background is mostly shown in flashbacks during the course of the last three novels. Snape was born to Eileen Prince, a witch, and Tobias Snape, a Muggle, making him a half-blood (hence the name, "Half-Blood Prince").
Dumbledore kicks some serious ass, especially when it comes to wizarding duels, but in a contest of all-out brawls, the points have to go to Gandalf. Gandalf will frequently throw himself into the heat of battle, dispatching orc after orc with his sword and staff combo.
While Harris might have been the most faithful Dumbledore, Gambon's is certainly the best. Most of the character inconsistencies aren't the actor's fault, and Gambon had enough time to perfect Dumbledore until the character's emotional peak in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Why does Dumbledore look different in Prisoner of Azkaban?
Harris was determined to portray Dumbledore again in Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), despite having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and asked David Heyman not to recast the role. However, his death on 25 October 2002 necessitated recasting.
Albus Dumbledore, for example, died when he was 115 years old, which was relatively young for a wizard. Nicholas Flamel and his wife lived more than 600 years thanks to the Philosopher's Stone, but regular wizards can live between 150 and 200 years. The Trolley Lady, for example, is around 190 years old.
Under the influence of her father, Dolores grew up despising her mother and brother for their lack of magical abilities. She was sorted into Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and hated her time at the school due to never being given any positions of power.
Then on 2 May 1998, he was killed after his own killing curse backfired and slain him once and for all. Calculating this duration, Voldemort was 71 years 4 months 2 days when he died. Given the average age of a wizard is about 100 years, Voldemort died pretty early.
Why does Dumbledore look older in the first movie?
"I speculate the reason for the difference in age is perspective. In the films themselves we see Dumbledore as he actually is in those years, but in the two flashbacks we get during the main series one of them is from Tom Riddle's perspective and one is from Dumbledore's perspective himself.
However, Draco was ordered by Voldemort to kill Dumbledore. Lestrange saw this as an opportunity to test Snape's loyalty and while making this vow to always watch over Draco, Lestrange forced Snape to agree to killing Dumbledore himself in case the youngster was unable to do so.
However, all of this was no match for Albus Dumbledore who was able to retrieve the Horcrux and destroy it with the Sword of Gryffindor. For his troubles, he discovered the ring to be cursed, which blackened his hand and left him with a death sentence placed upon him.
Why is Hogwarts so different in Prisoner of Azkaban?
Cuarón had a unique directing style and a specific vision for the movie. He also hadn't read the books and didn't feel constricted by J.K. Rowling's descriptions. The school was darker, the shots were more dynamic and open, and characters abandoned their wizard-styled robes for more traditional Muggle clothing.
He probably got to know Harry was a Horcrux when he saw the Scar on Harry's forehead, but maybe he wasn't sure. Then, when Harry came to Hogwarts and Dumbledore got to know he can speak Parseltongue his thought of him being a Horcrux got stronger.
Dumbledore's experience and extensive knowledge of magic sets him apart from Voldemort and proves the extent of his power. In Harry Potter, not only does Dumbledore have immense magical skill and knowledge but, up until his death, he is the true owner of the Elder Wand.
Merlin is the most powerful wizard recorded in the history of the wizarding world, even more so than Albus Dumbledore and definitely more powerful than Lord Voldemort. Merlin was intelligent and talented, and during his time at Hogwarts, he managed to decipher many of the secrets of the castle.
Who would win in a fight between Gandalf and Dumbledore?
In close-quarters combat, Gandalf easily has an upper hand because of the weapon he wields. Glamdring, the Elven blade he uses, would put Dumbledore in a spot of trouble. He'd need to maintain his distance at almost all times during this battle, while Gandalf would be comfortable fighting at both short and long ranges.
Is he as good as Dumbledore, McGonagall, etc.? Snape is an objectively powerful wizard, though perhaps not as powerful as some other people have suggested. He is nowhere near Dumbledore, though I give him a very slight edge over McGonagall (a powerful and skilled witch in her own right).
With or without the Elder Wand, Dumbledore is invincible in traditional wizard duels. Dumbledore has studied nearly every branch of magic in intimate detail, including obscure and unusual spells, and he could beat Harry with just one or two spells if they fought.
