Home News All Harry Potter Cast Deaths in Order of Their Passing

All Harry Potter Cast Deaths in Order of Their Passing

Author : Anthony Update : Mar 18,2025

The passing of beloved *Harry Potter* actors leaves a void in the hearts of fans worldwide. For many, these actors were integral to their childhoods, making their deaths particularly poignant. To honor their memory, let's remember the members of the *Harry Potter* cast we've sadly lost.

The first *Harry Potter* film debuted in 2001, meaning over two decades have passed since the original cast transported us to Hogwarts and the magical world. This time has brought both joy and sorrow, as we've had to bid farewell to many who helped bring this world to life.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Richard Harris as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Image via Warner Bros.
Richard Harris, who portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two films, passed away from Hodgkin’s Disease in 2002 at age 72.

Robert Knox – Marcus Belby

Robert Knox, who played Marcus Belby in The Half-Blood Prince, tragically died in 2008 at the age of 18. His character was not recast.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

Elizabeth Spriggs as The Fat Lady
Image via Warner Bros.
Elizabeth Spriggs, the original Fat Lady, passed away in 2008 at age 78. The role was recast for *The Prisoner of Azkaban*.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson, the voice of Kreacher in The Order of the Phoenix, passed away in 2009 at age 83. Simon McBurney took over the voice role for subsequent films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Jimmy Gardner as Ernie in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Image via Warner Bros.
Jimmy Gardner, memorable as Ernie from the Knight Bus scene in *Prisoner of Azkaban*, passed away in 2010 at age 85.

Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet

Alfred Burke, who played former Hogwarts headmaster Armando Dippet in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, died in 2011 at age 92.

Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley

Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone
Image via Warner Bros.
Richard Griffiths, unforgettable as Vernon Dursley, passed away from heart surgery complications in 2013 at age 65.

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Peter Cartwright, who portrayed Elphias Doge in The Order of the Phoenix, passed away in 2013 at age 78. The role was recast for later films.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

Dave Legeno as Fenrir Greyback
Image via Warner Bros.
Dave Legeno, who played Fenrir Greyback, died from heatstroke in 2014 at age 50.

Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom

Derek Deadman, the original Leaky Cauldron landlord Tom, passed away from diabetes complications in 2014. The role was recast.

David Ryall – Elphias Doge (*Deathly Hallows*)

David Ryall, who played Elphias Doge in The Deathly Hallows, died in 2014 at age 79.

Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Image via Warner Bros.
Alan Rickman, who played the iconic Severus Snape, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at age 69.

Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron

Terence Bayler, who played the Bloody Baron, passed away in 2016 at age 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

Hazel Douglas as Bathilda Bagshot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Image via Warner Bros.
Hazel Douglas, who played Bathilda Bagshot in *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*, died in 2016 at age 92.

John Hurt – Ollivander

Sir John Hurt, who portrayed Ollivander, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2017, shortly after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley, who played the portrait of Professor Everard, passed away in 2017 at the age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Image via Warner Bros.
Robert Hardy, who played Cornelius Fudge, passed away in 2017 at age 91.

Verne Troyer – Griphook

Verne Troyer, who played Griphook in The Philosopher’s Stone, died in 2018.

Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple

Paul Ritter, who played Eldred Worple in The Half-Blood Prince, died of a brain tumor in 2021 at age 54.

Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy

Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Image via Warner Bros.
Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy, died of cancer in 2021 at age 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Image via Warner Bros.
Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, died from organ failure in 2022 at age 72.

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Leslie Phillips, the voice of the Sorting Hat, died in 2022 at age 98.

Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (*Prisoner of Azkaban* onwards)

Sir Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore from Prisoner of Azkaban onwards, died from pneumonia in 2023 at age 82.

Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall

Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Image via Warner Bros.
Dame Maggie Smith, who played Professor McGonagall, passed away in September 2024 at age 89.

Simon Fisher-Becker – Fat Friar

Simon Fisher-Becker, who played the Fat Friar in The Philosopher’s Stone, passed away in March 2025 at age 63.

This list commemorates the *Harry Potter* cast members we've lost. Their contributions to the magical world will always be remembered.

The *Harry Potter* films are currently streaming on Peacock.

This article was updated on 3/10/2025 by Escapist Editorial to include additional *Harry Potter* cast members.