Since the first film came out 23 years ago, fans have said goodbye to over 25 of the Harry Potter stars
The stars of the Harry Potter film series have become household names over the years and the loss of some actors has been felt deeply across the fandom. While the film adaptations may have launched the careers of Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, it also starred some already famous faces who have died since their films were released.
Legends such as Alan Rickman and Helen McCroy are among those who have died in the years following the films while other unfortunately did not get to see out the end of the series, such as 18-year-old Robert Knox who was tragically murdered.
Here is a chance to look back and remember those who are no longer with us.
Richard Harris
The iconic British actor was cast as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two films – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
As well as the wizarding world Richard is known for his roles in Gladiator, Unforgiven, Camelot and The Count of Monte Cristo.
However, he died on 25th October 2002, shortly after the second film was released. He was 72 years-old.
Robert Knox
Robert was just 18 when he was killed (Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Robert Knox was in the Half-Blood Prince film and played Marcus Belby.
He had signed a contract to appear in the Deathly Hallows, part one.
However sadly in May 2008, Robert was murdered outside a bar in Sidcup, London.
He was only 18.
Timothy Bateson
Timothy Bateson voiced the other and not-so-popular house elf in the Harry Potter series – Kreacher.
Born in 1926 he was famous for roles in films and TV shows from as early as the 1950s, but he also starred in Labyrinth in 1986.
He played the part in the Order of the Phoenix film, which ended up being his final work before passing away in 2009.
Michael Gambon
Michael Gambon died at age 82 (Image: Getty Images)
Following Richard Harris’ death, Michael Gambon was cast to play Dumbledore.
He played the headmaster role up until the character’s devastating death (spoiler!) in the Half-Blood Prince.
Before joining the Harry Potter world, Michael was known as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre.
He became famous for appearing in several Shakespearean plays including Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth and Coriolanus.
Michael died in September, 2023.
Derek Deadman
Derek Deadman died in 2014 (Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Derek Deadman starred as British wizard Tom who worked at The Leaky Cauldron.
The character’s job roles included the landlord, innkeeper and the barman.
Derek famously played Ringo in Never the Twain and also appeared in Jabberwocky, Time bandits and The Scarlet Pimpernel.
He died in 2014.
Elizabeth Spriggs
Elizabeth starred as The Fat Lady (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Elizabeth Spriggs appears in just the first Harry Potter film as The Fat Lady – a living portrait and also the key to the Gryffindor common room dormitories.
Characters had to state a password before she would open the door.
Elizabeth also had roles in Sense and Sensibility, Is Anybody There and Simon and the Witch.
She died in 2008.
Roger Lloyd Pack
Roger was also famous for The Vicar of Dibley (
Image:
PA)
In Harry Potter, Roger Lloyd Pack played the Ministry of Magic official Barty Crouch Senior in Goblet of Fire.
He also is famous for his roles in Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley and Doctor Who.
Roger died in 2014.
Richard Griffiths
Richard died in 2013 (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
“36, counted them myself.”
Richard Griffiths played the horrible Mr Vernon Weasley, but an iconic character nonetheless.
He appeared in five of the films in the series – he was not written in for Goblet of Fire and the Half-Blood Prince.
Away from the wizarding world, Richard also starred in Chariots of Fire and The History Boys.
He died in 2013.
Jimmy Gardner
Jimmy received the famous line ‘take it away Ern’ (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Jimmy played the role of Ernie – the magic night bus driver.
Probably one of the most famous lines from the series was spoken to him which was “take it away Ern, it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.
He appears just once in the Prisoner of Azkaban film, escorting Harry to the Leaky Cauldron.
Jimmy died in May 2010.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman was also famous for his role in Love Actually (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Severus Snape was played by Alan Rickam, an actor who appeared in other blockbuster movies including Love Actually and Sense and Sensibility.
Snape is one of the most iconic characters in Harry Potter, someone who is quite terrible but you also have a soft spot for. It isn’t until later when we find out how much depth the character has, and actually how much heartbreak he endeavored.
Alan Rickman was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died in 2016.
Dave Legeno
Dave Legano died in 2014 (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Actor Dave Legeno played the scary Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf and Death Eater.
The character appeared in the Half-Blood Prince on the night of Dumbledore’s death.
In 2014, the star’s body was found in Death Valley, California. Dave Legeno was found to have died of heat-related health problems.
Death Valley is California’s hottest and driest National Park and is said to be extremely dangerous for hikers.
Eric Sykes
Eric died in 2012 (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Eric Sykes played Frank Bryce, the gardener for Voldermort’s grandparents.
His character is killed in the fourth movie – the Goblet of Fire – after overhearing a conversation between The Dark Lord and his snake Nagini.
He was most famous for his work on the cult comedy The Goon Show, although he first began writing for radio.
Eric died in July 2012.
Terence Bayler
Terence died in 2016 (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
New Zealand actor Terence Bayler played The Bloody Baron, the naughty ghost in the Philosopher’s Stone.
He was also famous for starring in Monty Python’s Life of Brian,
He died in 2016.
Alfred Burke
Alfred featured in the second Harry Potter film (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Alfred starred as Armando Dippet in the second Harry Potter film, The Chamber of Secrets.
He appeared as the headmaster of Hogwarts during a flashback scene showing Dumbledore as a student.
He died in 2011.
Peter Cartwright
Peter appeared in Order of the Phoenix (Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Peter Cartwright played Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
His character helped Harry get to Grimmauld Place in the fifth film.
But sadly Peter died in 2013, before the final films were completed.
The character was then played by David Ryall.
David Ryall
David Ryall also played Grandad in Outnumbered ( Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
As said above, David Ryall replaced Peter Cartwright as Elphias Doge.
He appeared in the Deathly Hallows, part one before passing away in 2014.
David also appeared as Grandad in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered.
Robert Hardy
Robert played Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic ( Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
In Harry Potter, Robert Hardy played Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.
He appeared as Fudge in the Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix
He had a career spanning over 70 years and was famous for his portrayals of Winston Churchill.
He was also famous for All Creatures Great and Small.
He died in 2017.
Hazel Douglas
Hazel played Bathilda Bagshot (
Image: Warner Bros/Getty Images)
Actress Hazel Douglas played Bathilda Bagshot in the first part of the Deathly Hallows.
Her character was a famous author of A History of Magic.
Her character is killed and appears again as a corpse containing Voldermort’s snake.
Hazel died in 2016.
John Hurt
John died in 2017 (
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Warner Bros/Getty Images)
An epochal character in the first Harry Potter, John Hurt played the wonderful Garrick Ollivander, the famous wand-maker.
Ollivander had a shop in Diagon Alley but the character was captured and tortured by Lord Voldemort.
John Hurt was famous for his roles in 1984, Alien and the Elephant Man.
He died in 2017.
Helen McCrory
Helen was also famous for her role in Peaky Blinders (
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Getty Images)
British-born actress Helen McCrory played Draco Malfoy’s mother Narcissa. Over the course of the series we see her becoming more warm, and in the end you sort of have sympathy for her.
Helen is probably even more famous for playing Polly Shelby in Peaky Blinders, an iconic and powerful female lead in the TV show.
She also played powerful roles for the National Theatre.
Helen died in 2021.
Paul Ritter
Paul passed away of a brain tumour (
Image:
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Paul Ritter was an English actor and was probably most famous for playing Martin, the dad in Friday Night Dinner in the years leading up to his death.
But Paul also starred in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, playing Eldred Worple, a wizard and writer.
The character meets Harry at Slughorn’s Christmas Party where he tries to convince him to write an autobiography.
Sadly Paul died from a brain tumour in 2021.
Robbie Coltrane
Robbie touched our hearts as Hagrid (
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Getty Images for Disney)
Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane started famously as Hogwarts groundskeeper and giant Rubeus Hagrid and appeared in all of the films.
Hagrid and Harry had a special friendship but he was also close to Dumbledore and other Hogwarts students.
Away from Harry Potter, Robbie appeared in ITV detective drama Cracker as well as the James Bond films Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.
Robbie died in 2022.
Leslie Phillips
Leslie voiced The Sorting Hat (
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Getty Images)
A face you might not recognise but whose voice you should is Leslie Phillips who played The Sorting Hat.
He voiced the character in a number of the films and appeared mostly in the first film when sorting Harry and his peers into houses.
The Sorting Hat’s famous line is probably triumphantly shouting “Gryffindor!” when choosing for Harry.
Leslie also played the grandpa in The Parent Trap with Lindsey Lohan but he was also known for his roles in the Carry On and Doctor Who series.
He died in 2022.
Vern Troyer
Verne was also famous for his role in Austin Powers (
Image:
PA)
American actor Vern Troyer played Griphook the Goblin in the first Harry Potter movie before being replaced by Warwick Davies in the later films.
Vern was notably famous for his role as Mini Me in Austin Powers movies.
He sadly died in 2018.
Sam Beazley
This actor played Professor Everard and appeared in the Order of the Phoenix.
