When we lose members of the beloved *Harry Potter* cast, fans worldwide honor their memory with a symbolic "wands up" gesture. These actors were more than just performers; they were part of our journey into the magical world of Hogwarts. Here, we remember and pay tribute to those we've lost, listed in the order of their passing.
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Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths, In Chronological Order
The first Harry Potter movie graced our screens in 2001, marking the beginning of an enchanting saga that spanned over two decades. As time passed, we've had to bid farewell to several of the actors who brought this magical universe to life.
Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore
Image via Warner Bros. Richard Harris, who portrayed the wise and enigmatic Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, passed away from Hodgkin's Disease in 2002 at the age of 72.
Robert Knox – Marcus Belby
Robert Knox played Marcus Belby, a member of the Slug Club in The Half-Blood Prince. Tragically, he was only 18 when he died in a stabbing in 2008. His role was not recast for the remaining films, leaving a poignant mark on the series.
Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady
Image via Warner Bros. Elizabeth Spriggs brought to life the portrait of the Fat Lady, guardian of Gryffindor Tower. Her character was recast for The Prisoner of Azkaban after her passing in 2008 at the age of 78.
Timothy Bateson – Kreacher
Timothy Bateson voiced the Black family's house-elf, Kreacher, in The Order of the Phoenix. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 83, before the completion of the series. Simon McBurney took over the role for the remaining films.
Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie
Image via Warner Bros. Jimmy Gardner's brief but memorable appearance as the erratic Knight Bus driver, Ernie, in Prisoner of Azkaban left a lasting impression. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.
Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet
Alfred Burke portrayed Hogwarts' former headmaster, Armando Dippet, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 92.
Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley
Image via Warner Bros. Richard Griffiths delivered the iconic line, "No post on Sundays," as Vernon Dursley across all Harry Potter films. He passed away in 2013 from complications following heart surgery at the age of 65.
Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge
Peter Cartwright played Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, in The Order of the Phoenix. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 78, before The Deathly Hallows: Part I was filmed, and the role was recast.
Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback
Image via Warner Bros. Dave Legeno brought the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback to life. He tragically died from heatstroke while hiking in 2014 at the age of 50.
Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom
Derek Deadman played Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron, in the first Harry Potter film. He passed away in 2014 from diabetes complications, and the role was recast for later appearances.
David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)
David Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He died in 2014 at the age of 79.
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Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape
Image via Warner Bros. Alan Rickman's portrayal of the complex Severus Snape spanned all eight Harry Potter films. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at the age of 69.
Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron
Terence Bayler played the silent but eerie Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.
Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot
Image via Warner Bros. Hazel Douglas portrayed Bathilda Bagshot, the author of A History of Magic, in The Deathly Hallows: Part I. She died in 2016 at the age of 92.
John Hurt – Ollivander
Sir John Hurt brought the wandmaker Ollivander to life in the Harry Potter films. He died of pancreatic cancer in early 2017, just after his 77th birthday.
Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard
Sam Beazley played the portrait of Professor Everard, who briefly converses with Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He passed away in 2017 at the remarkable age of 101.
Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge
Image via Warner Bros. Robert Hardy portrayed the often bumbling yet endearing Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 91.
Verne Troyer – Griphook
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Verne Troyer played Griphook the goblin, though Warwick Davis provided the voice. Troyer passed away in 2018 from complications of alcohol intoxication, later ruled a suicide.
Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple
Paul Ritter played Eldred Worple, a minor character and former student of Professor Slughorn, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He died from a brain tumor in 2021 at the age of 54.
Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy
Image via Warner Bros. Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, with grace and strength. She passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.
Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid
Image via Warner Bros. Robbie Coltrane was the beloved Hagrid in all eight Harry Potter films. He passed away from organ failure in 2022 at the age of 72.
Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat
Leslie Phillips lent his voice to Hogwarts' Sorting Hat. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 98.
Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban onwards)
Sir Michael Gambon took over the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore from the third Harry Potter film. He passed away after suffering from pneumonia in 2023 at the age of 82.
Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall
Image via Warner Bros. Dame Maggie Smith portrayed the formidable Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. She passed away in September 2024 at the age of 89.
Simon Fisher-Becker – Fat Friar
Simon Fisher-Becker appeared as the jovial ghost, Fat Friar, in the very first Harry Potter movie, the Philosopher's Stone. He passed away in March 2025 at the age of 63.
And that concludes the list of Harry Potter cast members we've lost, presented in the order of their passing.
The Harry Potter movies are streaming now on Peacock.
The above article was updated on 3/10/2025 by Escapist Editorial to include additional Harry Potter cast member.
