Harry Potter's Great British Thespians
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore, 3-8
"The Great Gambon" (Ralph Richardson's phrase) assumed the role of the Hogwarts headmaster after the death of Richard Harris, the Dumbledore of the first two films. Gambon's cello voice and rumpled face lend majesty and humanity to the series' central adult role, as the great wizard takes on the mission of Harry's safekeeping. Gambon, 70, was picked for stardom by Laurence Olivier and had a small role in the 1965 Othello, with Maggie Smith. A few years later he was asked to audition as James Bond, but found his ample niche in the theater (Lear and Falstaff, Chekhov, plenty of Pinter) and on TV (as Inspector Maigret and the star of Dennis Potter's immortal miniseries The Singing Detective). Fellow actor Simon Callow has said that Gambon's "iron lungs and overwhelming charisma" reach the farthest seat in the biggest theater. As Dumbledore, he projects a more intimate magnificence.