Every Notable ‘Harry Potter’ Actor Who Died

The ‘Harry Potter’ films brought together an enormous ensemble, and over the years the series has sadly lost a number of memorable performers. Below is a guide to notable cast members who have passed away, along with the roles they played across the eight films and related details that help place their work in the wizarding world. It focuses on who they portrayed, when they appeared, and any key credits or facts that connect them to the franchise’s production.

Richard Harris

Richard Harris played Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. He set the early tone for the Hogwarts headmaster before the role was recast. Harris was a two time Oscar nominee with a long stage and screen career. He died in 2002.

Michael Gambon

Michael Gambon took over as Albus Dumbledore from ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ through ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’. He brought a different energy to the character across six films. Gambon was knighted for services to drama and appeared in many acclaimed productions. He died in 2023.

Robbie Coltrane

Robbie Coltrane portrayed Rubeus Hagrid in all eight films, starting with ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. He was a key figure for the trio and a fan favorite with major scenes in multiple installments. Coltrane was also known for the series ‘Cracker’ and appearances in the Bond franchise. He died in 2022.

Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman played Severus Snape across all eight films from ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ onward. His performance anchored several major plot turns and revelations. Rickman began his career on stage and gained early film attention with ‘Die Hard’. He died in 2016.

Helen McCrory

Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and both parts of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. She also voiced a character in the video game tied to the series. McCrory had extensive stage credits and roles in television and film. She died in 2021.

John Hurt

John Hurt appeared as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ and returned in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. His character provided essential information about wand lore. Hurt’s career spanned decades with multiple award nominations. He died in 2017.

Robert Hardy

Robert Hardy played Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ through ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. He appeared in several key Ministry scenes. Hardy was widely known for his work in period dramas and on stage. He died in 2017.

Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths portrayed Vernon Dursley in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ and several subsequent films. His character featured prominently in the early Muggle world setup. Griffiths was a Tony Award winner for ‘The History Boys’. He died in 2013.

David Legeno

David Legeno played the werewolf Fenrir Greyback in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. He performed action heavy sequences as part of the Death Eater ranks. Legeno also worked as a mixed martial artist. He died in 2014.

Roger Lloyd Pack

Roger Lloyd-Pack appeared as Barty Crouch Sr. in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. His character oversaw the Triwizard Tournament proceedings at the Ministry level. Lloyd-Pack had a long television career in the UK. He died in 2014.

Elizabeth Spriggs

Elizabeth Spriggs played the Fat Lady portrait in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. She helped establish the Gryffindor common room access sequence. Spriggs was a Royal Shakespeare Company alumna with extensive theatre credentials. She died in 2008.

Leslie Phillips

Leslie Phillips provided the voice of the Sorting Hat in multiple films beginning with ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. His distinctive delivery became part of the Hogwarts sorting tradition on screen. Phillips had a long film career dating back to the mid twentieth century. He died in 2022.

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer performed the physical role of Griphook in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’, with the character voiced by Warwick Davis. His work appears in Gringotts scenes early in the series. Troyer was also widely recognized for other franchise roles. He died in 2018.

Timothy Bateson

Timothy Bateson voiced the house elf Kreacher in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. The character later returned with a different voice actor in the final films. Bateson’s career included significant stage and television work. He died in 2009.

Jimmy Gardner

Jimmy Gardner portrayed Ernie Prang, the Knight Bus driver, in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. His scenes helped introduce magical transport in the wizarding world. Gardner served in the Royal Air Force before acting. He died in 2010.

Derek Deadman

Derek Deadman played Tom the innkeeper at the Leaky Cauldron in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. The role was recast in a later film with a different interpretation. Deadman appeared in numerous British television series and films. He died in 2014.

David Ryall

David Ryall appeared as Elphias Doge in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’. His character provided backstory connected to Albus Dumbledore. Ryall worked across film, television, and theatre for decades. He died in 2014.

Hazel Douglas

Hazel Douglas played Bathilda Bagshot in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’. She featured in a key Godric’s Hollow sequence tied to the history of the wizarding world. Douglas had a long stage and screen career. She died in 2016.

Sam Beazley

Sam Beazley appeared as the portrait of former Hogwarts headmaster Professor Everard in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. The character is seen in Ministry related scenes. Beazley began acting as a teenager and returned to the profession later in life. He died in 2017.

Alfred Burke

Alfred Burke portrayed Headmaster Armando Dippet in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. His appearance connects to Hogwarts history before Dumbledore. Burke was known for the television series ‘Public Eye’ and many stage roles. He died in 2011.

Paul Ritter

Paul Ritter played Eldred Worple in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. The character appears at Professor Slughorn’s gathering. Ritter worked extensively in television, film, and theatre. He died in 2021.

Terence Bayler

Terence Bayler appeared as the Bloody Baron in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. The role is part of the Hogwarts house ghost lineup. Bayler also worked with notable directors on stage and film. He died in 2016.

Robert Knox

Robert Knox portrayed Marcus Belby in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. He was killed shortly after filming, and the production later dedicated the film to his memory. Knox had planned to continue acting projects. He died in 2008.

Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall filmed scenes as Peeves the poltergeist for ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ that were not included in the final cut. His involvement became widely known through cast and crew anecdotes. Mayall was a major figure in British comedy across television and stage. He died in 2014.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which performances from the series left the biggest impression on you.