Marking a quarter-century since the world premiere of the first film on November 4, 2001, the beloved Harry Potter franchise faces a bittersweet milestone as the new HBO series approaches its December release, with 18 key members of the original cinematic cast having passed away.
- Eighteen actors from the original film series have passed away since the franchise began, including cinematic heavyweights Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman.
- The milestone arrives as Warner Bros. prepares to launch a brand-new television adaptation of the wizarding world on HBO this coming December.
Michael Byrne passed away on June 20, 2026, after portraying an aged Gellert Grindelwald in 2010’s Harry Potter und die Heiligtümer des Todes – Teil 1, as reported by 20min.ch. Simon Fisher-Becker died at 63 on March 9, 2025, known to fans as the Hufflepuff house ghost, the Fat Friar.
Dame Maggie Smith achieved cultural status as Professor Minerva McGonagall before the Oscar winner died in London at 89 on September 27, 2024. Michael Gambon took over the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore from the third film onward, passing away at 82 on September 27, 2023. Robbie Coltrane defined the beloved half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, making the gamekeeper a symbol of warmth before his death at 72 on October 14, 2022.
Helen McCrory stepped into the role of Narcissa Malfoy in the sixth film, Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz, before losing her battle with cancer at 52 on April 16, 2021. Robert Hardy played Magic Minister Cornelius Fudge across four films until his death on August 3, 2017, at 91. John Hurt portrayed wandmaker Garrick Ollivander, who handed Harry his first wand in 2001, passing away at 77 on January 25, 2017.
Alan Rickman left an indelible mark as Professor Severus Snape across all eight films, dying on January 14, 2016, weeks before turning 70. Dave Legeno played Voldemort’s enforcer, the werewolf Fenrir Greyback, before hikers found him dead in Death Valley from heatstroke at 50 in 2014. Roger Lloyd-Pack appeared as Bartemius Crouch in Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch, dying at 69 on January 16, 2014.
Richard Griffiths played the thoroughly unpleasant Uncle Vernon Dursley across five films, passing away at 65 on March 28, 2013. Elizabeth Spriggs brought the living oil painting of the Fat Lady to life in the first film, dying at 78 on July 2, 2008. Richard Harris originated the role of Albus Dumbledore in the first two films before passing away at 72 on October 25, 2002, just prior to the US premiere of the second installment.
| Actor | Role | Date of Passing |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Byrne | Gellert Grindelwald | June 20, 2026 |
| Simon Fisher-Becker | The Fat Friar | March 9, 2025 |
| Maggie Smith | Minerva McGonagall | September 27, 2024 |
| Michael Gambon | Albus Dumbledore | September 27, 2023 |
| Robbie Coltrane | Rubeus Hagrid | October 14, 2022 |
| Helen McCrory | Narcissa Malfoy | April 16, 2021 |
| Richard Harris | Albus Dumbledore | October 25, 2002 |
Additional cast members whose presence shaped the corners of the wizarding world include Jimmy Gardner as the Knight Bus driver, Robert Knox as Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby, David Ryall as Elphias Doge, and Derek Deadman as the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron, rounding out the 18 departed talents remembered as the franchise looks toward its next chapter.
