Sir Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) to receive lifetime achievement award

Michael Gambon played Professor Albus Dumbledore for six of the Harry Potter films. He’s being honored for that and his many other contributions to drama.

Although Harry Potter fans will always know him as Dumbledore, actor Michael Gambon has had a lengthy, prolific career. Born in 1940, he made professional stage debut at 24, and went into movies and TV not long after. He’s been in high demand ever since.

Now, the Irish Film & Television Academy plans to honor Gambon for his huge body of work with a lifetime achievement award to be granted at the 2017 IFTA Film & Drama Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 8th in Dublin. They can summarize his storied career better than I can:

"Michael Gambon’s career as an actor spans six decades, across screen, radio, television and theatre. From Harold Pinter to Harry Potter, Gambon is a leading light of the film industry, from his iconic role in the television drama The Singing Detective, to his role in Peter Greenaway’s controversial ‘The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover’. British titles include ‘Layer Cake’, ‘Gosford Park’, ‘Wings of the Dove’ and ‘The King’s Speech’.International performances include Michael Mann’s ‘The Insider’, and Wes Andersons ‘Steve Zissou and the Life Aquatic’. Since starring as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Franchise, Gambon is known the world over.Michael is well known in Ireland for his stage performances, especially at The Gate Theatre. His screen work in Ireland also have strong theatre connections, including his work in ‘The Actors’, directed by Conor McPherson, and co-starring Michael Caine and Dylan Moran; ‘Endgame’ also directed by Conor McPherson and co-starring David Thewlis, as part of the Beckett on Screen series, and ‘Nothing Personal’, directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan."

Gambon on the News

Gambon himself was thrilled with the news. “I am overwhelmed and delighted to receive such an honour from the Irish Academy,” he said. “I was born in Dublin and have been lucky enough to work here many times over the years.”

Gambon may not have been the first onscreen Dumbledore — that honor went to the late Richard Harris, who died of Hodgkin’s disease shortly before the premiere of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He played the role longest, though, and will always have a special place in fans’ hearts.

Congratulations, Sir Michael Gambon! May you keep making movie magic for years to come.

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h/t SnitchSeeker