Was richard harris gay
Michael Gambon replaced Richard Harris as Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter.' Here's who else was up for the role, and how Gambon made it his own.
The role of Albus Dumbledore has been played by a number of actors in the "Harry Potter" movies and its Wizarding Planet spinoffs.
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.
Michael Gambon, who died this week at the age of 82, then took over the role and played the character in the remaining six films in the "Harry Potter" series.
Meanwhile, in the "Fantastic Beasts" prequel series, a younger Dumbledore is played by Jude Law.
Here's how the late Gambon won the role — and how he made it his own.
Michael Gambon was not the only actor considered to play Dumbledore
After Harris' death, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" producer Chris Columbus and director Alfonso Cuarón started the seek for a modern actor.
Columbus told TheWrap in 2021 that Peter O'Toole was considered for th
Ian McKellen reveals the heartbreaking reason he never played Dumbledore
The acting legend has admitted the sad tale of his decision to pass up the Harry Potter role
It seems prefer every incredible British star had at least one role in the global Harry Potter franchise – all except one acting legend.
And now Sir Ian McKellen has revealed the real reason why he never played Dumbledore – despite many seeing him as a natural fit, especially after Richard Harris died after the second film, The Chamber Of Secrets, came out in 2002.
Speaking on the BBCs HARDtalk programme, 77-year-old openly gay Sir Ian revealed that he was in fact approached by the producers to take on the role of Albus Dumbledore after Richard passed away.
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But it was Harris' personal notion of gay people that kept Sir Ian away from the iconic wizarding series, as he had described Ian, Derek Jacobi and Kenneth Branagh as "technically brilliant, but passionless".
"When he died – he played Dumbledore, the wizard – I played the real wizard [Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy] of course – but when they called me up
Ian McKellen FEUD: The row between McKellen and Richard Harris ‘He didn’t authorize of me’
Trailer: Kenneth Branagh stars as Shakespeare in 'All Is True'
Ian McKellen is a versatile actor, having appeared in everything from Shakespeare to George Ezra music videos. McKellen solidified himself as a pop culture legend when he took on the role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But there was one role that thespian could never transport himself to accept on - that of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.
What was his row with Richard Harris?
According to McKellen, he had to turn down the role of Dumbledore because of a semi-feud between himself and Richard Harris.
The Dumbledore actor who died in 2002 called him, Derek Jacobi and Kenneth Branagh: “Technically brilliant, but passionless.”
Slate reported the full quote as: “’I’ve seen these so-called ‘nice’ actors. Very proficient fellows like Ian McKellen and Kenneth Branagh.
“But they’re fancy bank managers. So sweet and cautious. Who needs them?’”
McKellen recalled the moment he was offered the role of Dumbledore after Harris’ death, saying: “Whe
Richard Harris Gay
Comments
Lisa Blake
I worked on and off with Richard for the last 20 years. He was always professional, yet jovial. He was always friendly regardless of what life threw at him. Richard, you will be sorely missed my comrade. Rest In Peace.
Scott Rand
You will be missed and remembered with fondness. Goodbye friend.
David Frank
Richard Gay was a most remarkable male. Remarkable people challenge and inspire. They show what is possible when talent meets discipline. Truly memorable people make a grave and lasting impression. They change the world, just by being themselves. That was the Richard Same-sex attracted I knew. I met Richard back in 1976 when we both worked for Gulf Coast Coors. Coors Brewing Company had just expanded into the rest of the Declare and Richard joined the sales team in July/August of '76. Later Richard worked in the uniform industry but we united up again in 1983 in beer sales when he joined G & H Distributing.........which later became Gideon Distributing. We were friends who golfed together, played tennis against each other, hunted deer in Junction and went fishing when we could. Richard was never limited by fear. Remarkable people undergo fear, but t
Gay people share existence stories in book by Pontypridd man
Richard Harris has secured the backing of Derren Brown
As a child, Richard Harris was bullied, ridiculed and even stabbed after admitting he was gay.
At school in the south Wales valleys, he said teachers would often stand by as he was picked on and did little to stop it happening.
Now, however, he is determined to try to support others going through similar experiences.
After being made redundant a year ago, he wrote a novel, Closets Are For Clothes, which has been backed by former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas and mind control expert Derren Brown.
He originally intended to use his enforced lay-off to write his own story, but adv discovered that he had shared experiences with lgbtq+ people the length and breadth of the nature.
Over 200 people across four continents responded to his appeal for aid, made via several social networking websites.
"Rather than writing just my story, I wanted to experiment and pool together as many experiences as possible," said Mr Harris, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
"What I wasn't expecting when I set out was the sheer range that I'd find: positive