Popularly known as Professor Dumbledore from theHarry Potterfranchise and loved by many,Michael Gambonwas one of the most long-serving actors present in Hollywood. He debuted in the 1960s through acting in theaters and made his professional debut in the Gate Theater’s 1962 production ofOthello.Not only that but he has been praised for his remarkable acting skills, being the recipient of awards like the Laurence Oliver Award for Best Actor in 1987.
Update July 21, 2025: This article has been updated following the tragic passing of Michael Gambon with even more great performances from the legendary actor.
With decades of exceptional acting under his belt, Michael Gambon was known for his stellar acting career and his highly respected in the entire industry.The actor sadly passed awayon June 21, 2025, and left behind a rich legacy of performances. The actor dipped his toe into a wide variety of genres, and his performances touched the lives of millions of fans across the world, be it inHarry PottertoSleepy HollowtoPaddington. To celebrate the life and career of a great man and performer, here are some of the best Michael Gambon Movies ranked.
9The King’s Speech (2010)
Directed by Tom Hooper,The King’s Speechis anaward-winning film based on a true story. The movie tells the tale of a young Prince Albert, Duke of York, looking to find treatment for his stammer as he navigates political turmoil and an unexpected ascension to the throne. Benefiting from a star-studded cast of Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Michael Gambon, the movie was a masterpiece, which made a staggering $427.4 million at the box office.
Gambon played King George V, the previous king of England and the father of Firth’s George VI’s whose passing causes political commotion and unrest as the country looks for its new king. While Gambon’s role is brief, his performance is exemplary, so life-like and close to the real king in demeanor and speech that the audiences are left awe-struck. Michael Game portrays the role of a father humiliated and angered by his son’s stammer. The alienation of the father-son relationship is greatly shown through Gambon’s exceptional acting. The scene of King George V roughly expressing his anger towards the young Albert shows Gambon’s greatness and command over the character he’s playing.
8The Book of Eli (2010)
Directed by the Hughes brothers,The Book of Elirevolves around the life of a nomad (played by Denzel Washington) in a post-apocalypse world. This film marks one ofMichael Gambon’s most unconventional rolesto date, as he plays a peculiar man named George, who lives with his wife in the post-apocalyptic world. Being “old but resilient”, George and his wife are actually frightening cannibals. The scene plays out with gory details of a shootout as soon as George is about to feast on the protagonist.
Related:Michael Gambon’s 20 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
Michael Gambon’s acting in this scene is not something that fans are used to, and he delivers a satisfying performance and has the audience engaged until the end. Michael Gambon fans loved seeing this experimental character, which just further justifies his great acting skills.The Book of Eliwas yet another one of Gambon’s commercially successful films, as it grossed a modest $157 million at the box office.
7Churchill’s Secret (2016)
The three-time Emmy nominee, Charles Sutridge, directedChurchill’s Secret,which is based on a true incident that took place in Winston Churchill’s life. This drama film was based on the life of Churchill after becoming prime minister and falling terribly ill. Michael Gambon, being the dynamic actor he is, took on the role of Winston Churchill. He delivers the character by adding a stubbornness and fragility to Churchill. Gambonplayed Churchill flawlessly, portraying the private and public life of one of the most important people in British history with great poignancy. Though Gambon physically looked nothing like Churchill, this remains one of his most significant lead roles to date, staying true to the film’s historical background. This television film was broadcast on ITV1 and was well received by critics, who as always, sang praises for Gambon, despite the somewhat controversial subject of the film.
6Paddington (2014)
Michael Gambon does not voice the titular bear, but he does voice an important character inPaddington. He voices Uncle Pastuzo, the guardian and caretaker for Paddington, alongside his wife, Paddington’s aunt Lucy. Gambon gives the character a commanding but also sweet, comforting voice, one that children likely were very used to, thanks to his role as Albus Dumbledore. Very much acting as the Uncle Ben figure to Paddington’s Spider-Man, his death sets the chain in motion for Paddington to go to London. It is a tragic death, but the actor reprised his voice role in the sequel, Paddington 2.
5Gosford Park (1999)
Here is something many might not know. The popular seriesDownton Abbeywas originally planned as a television adaptation ofGosford Parkbut instead was turned into an original property. Gambon plays Sir William McCordle, a wealthy industrialist, and is just one of many talented stars in the film that includes Charles Dance, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Emily Watson, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Kirsten Scott Thomas, Clive Owen, Kelly Macdonald, Ryan Philippe, and Derek Jacobi. With a cast that stacked, it is no wonder the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and was a box office hit.
4Othello (1965)
Shakespeare’sOthellois a classic taleof love, misunderstandings, and revenge, and it is the one Gambon started his film career with. A young and ambitious actor then, Gambon had a brief, but impressive role as the Senator, made memorable by his scenes with the great Lawrence Oliver. Most young actors would have been too shy to debut with someone so well-known and influential, but Gambon was not one of them. He took on the character, and with just a few scenes and lines, proved himself as a skillful actor; one that could not even be overshadowed by Oliver’s Othello. The film was a critical success that amassed several Oscar nominations and remains a fan favorite of all Shakespeare adaptations.
3Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollowis another great cast film that Gambon lends so much weight to. The film stars Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci with Tim Burton at the helm, but the supporting cast is so rich. Gambon stars as Baltus Van Tassell, the father of Ricci’s character and the leader of the town of Sleepy Hollow. His inner circle consists of other great character actors like Ian McDirmand and Michael Gough, as well as Miranda Richardson, playing his wife.
Related:Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter Stars Remember Albus Dumbledore Actor, Sir Michael Gambon
Sleepy Hollowis an underrated film in Gambon’s filmography, but it is certainly one of his best. It makes for a great Halloween watch, and with his passing this year so close to the season, it is a great way to keep his memory alive.
2Doctor Who (2010)
Moving from Halloween to Christmas, Gambon stars in the 2010 Christmas Special of the hit sci-fi seriesDoctor Who. The special is titled “A Christmas Carol” and gives a unique spin on Charles Dicken’s timeless classic with Gambon playing Kazran Sardick, a Scrooge-like figure on a planet very much like 19th century Earth who has a machine that controls the weather but refuses to help a ship that is about to crash into the atmosphere. The time-traveling Doctor steps in and rewrites Kazran’s history in a single night to change him for the better.
“A Christmas Carol” is not only one of the best episodes ofDoctor Whoever but alsoone of the best versions of the classic Charles Dickens story. It cleverly usesDoctor Whotime travel mechanics to bring about what the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future can be. Gambon gives an incredible performance, being able to play cruelty but also a deep emotional sadness that will have the audience cheering for him by the end. It certainly is fitting for Gambon to be in bothDoctor WhoandHarry Potter.
1Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
After all this time? Always.TheHarry Potterfilmsare arguably one of the best film series in history. Based on the fantasy books written by J.K. Rowling,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, directed by David Yates, marked the death of Professor Dumbledore’s character, played by Gambon. In what is considered his most iconic role to date, the film features a now-old Dumbledore, well aware of what Voldemort and his enemies plan against him and Hogwarts. Dumbledore teaches Harry not just how to destroy a Horcrux, but in a spine-chilling performance, Gambon teaches an older Harry new secrets. Gambon delivers his final moment as Dumbledore in the most Dumbledore way of protecting Harry, bringing fans to tears. The wielder of the Elder Wand, Dumbledore, is killed by Snape in a scene full of emotion that had taken six movies to build toward.
This is one of Gambon’s best performances because of how raw and emotional the scenes are. While his casting as the character had gained significant outcry from fans, he quickly won over fans with his first performance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Following that, he quickly became a fan favorite as the series went on. By the end, no one could dispute after this final performance that anyone except Gambon could have done justice to such a beloved character. There certainly was a reason after Gambon died:hundreds of fans gathered outside the Wizarding World of Harry Potterto hold up their wands to salute the legendary actor.
