Michael Gambon hailed as 'legend' in tributes led by President Higgins and Taoiseach

Michael Gambon's death was confirmed on Thursday morning and led to many tributes from friends and colleagues of his.

President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes to actor Michael Gambon, calling him one of the "finest actors of his generation."

The Dublin-born star died peacefully in hospital at the age of 82.

His death was confirmed on Thursday morning and led to many tributes from friends and colleagues of his. In his own tribute, President Higgins offered his condolences to Mr Gambon's wife Anne, his son Fergus and his wider family.

He said: "Michael Gambon, born in Dublin, was one of the finest actors of his generation. Having won recognition as an exceptional talent very early in his career, on stage, film, television and radio. More recently, a new generation of children and adults came to know him for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' films.

However, his was a talent delivered over six decades. 

"As an actor he seemed boundless, be it through his work with Sir Laurence Oliver’s National Theatre in London, to his performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. His friendship with the late Peter O’Toole reflected a commitment to the importance of work on stage that they shared.

"His achievements as an actor in several of Samuel Beckett’s plays, including at the Gate in Dublin, was part of a career that included performances in the work of so many of the major playwrights of his time, including Harold Pinter.

Michael Gambon in Fortitude. President Michael D Higgins said: "Michael Gambon leaves a great body of work that will remain as a compelling legacy, and a reminder to all who appreciated his work, of all that he accomplished."

"Michael Gambon leaves a great body of work that will remain as a compelling legacy, and a reminder to all who appreciated his work, of all that he accomplished."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid tribute to Mr Gambon on social media, calling him a "great actor".

“Whether performing in Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all to every performance,” he wrote.

James Phelps, who starred alongside Mr Gambon in the Harry Potter films as Fred Weasley, said that he was “a legend on and off camera”.