When members of the original *Harry Potter* cast pass away, fans around the world pay tribute with a heartfelt “wands up” in their honor. For many of us, these actors were more than just performers—they were part of our childhood and helped bring the magic of the Wizarding World to life. In remembrance, here is a list of all the *Harry Potter* cast members we’ve lost over the years.
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Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths – A Chronological Tribute
The first *Harry Potter* film premiered in 2001, which means over two decades have passed since the franchise began captivating audiences worldwide. Unfortunately, time has also meant saying goodbye to several beloved actors who played key roles in building the Wizarding World on screen.
Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore
Image via Warner Bros.
Richard Harris portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He passed away from Hodgkin’s Disease in 2002 at the age of 72.
Robert Knox – Marcus Belby
Robert Knox played Slug Club member Marcus Belby in The Half-Blood Prince. Tragically, he was fatally stabbed in 2008 at just 18 years old. His character was not recast for subsequent films.
Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady
Image via Warner Bros.
Elizabeth Spriggs played the iconic portrait guarding Gryffindor Tower in The Philosopher’s Stone. She passed away in 2008 at age 78. The role was later recast starting with The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Timothy Bateson – Kreacher
Timothy Bateson provided the voice for Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, in The Order of the Phoenix. He passed away in 2009 at age 83. Simon McBurney took over the role for the remaining films.
Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie
Image via Warner Bros.
Gardner appeared briefly as the eccentric Knight Bus driver in Prisoner of Azkaban. He passed away in 2010 at age 85.
Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet
Alfred Burke portrayed Hogwarts’ former headmaster Armando Dippet in Chamber of Secrets. He passed away in 2011 at age 92.
Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley
Image via Warner Bros.
Griffiths famously played the grumpy Uncle Vernon throughout the Harry Potter series. He passed away in 2013 due to complications following heart surgery. He was 65.
Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge
Cartwright portrayed Order of the Phoenix member Elphias Doge in Order of the Phoenix, but passed away before filming for Deathly Hallows. The role was recast. He died in 2013 at age 78.
Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback
Image via Warner Bros.
Legeno brought terrifying intensity to the role of werewolf Fenrir Greyback. He passed away from heatstroke while hiking in 2014 at age 50.
Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom
Deadman played Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron, in The Philosopher’s Stone. He passed away from diabetes-related complications in 2014. The role was recast for future appearances.
David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)
Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He passed away in 2014 at age 79.
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Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape
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Rickman delivered an unforgettable performance as Professor Snape across all eight films. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at age 69.
Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron
Bayler portrayed the eerie Slytherin ghost known as the Bloody Baron. He passed away in 2016 at age 86.
Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot
Image via Warner Bros.
Douglas appeared as Bathilda Bagshot in Deathly Hallows: Part I. She passed away in 2016 at age 92.
John Hurt – Ollivander
Sir John Hurt brought charm and mystery to Garrick Ollivander, the famous wandmaker. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in early 2017, shortly after turning 77.
Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard
Beazley portrayed the painting of Professor Everard, one of the former Hogwarts headmasters. He passed away in 2017 at age 101.
Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge
Image via Warner Bros.
Hardy played the bumbling Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. He passed away in 2017 at age 91.
Verne Troyer – Griphook
Troyer portrayed Griphook the goblin in Philosopher’s Stone, though he did not provide the character’s voice. Warwick Davis later voiced and played the character. Troyer passed away in 2018 due to complications from alcohol intoxication.
Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple
Ritter played a minor character and former student of Horace Slughorn in Half-Blood Prince. He passed away from a brain tumor in 2021 at age 54.
Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy
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McCrory portrayed Draco Malfoy’s mother, Narcissa. She passed away from cancer in 2021 at age 52.
Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid
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Coltrane brought warmth and humor to the beloved half-giant Hagrid across all eight films. He passed away from organ failure in 2022 at age 72.
Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat
Although never seen on screen, Phillips was the iconic voice behind the Sorting Hat. He passed away in 2022 at age 98.
Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban onwards)
Gambon stepped into the role of Dumbledore starting with Prisoner of Azkaban. He passed away in 2023 after suffering from pneumonia. He was 82.
Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall
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Smith portrayed Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. She passed away in September 2024 at age 89.
Simon Fisher-Becker – Fat Friar
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