Richard Harris plays Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films based on J. K. Rowling’s books.
Harris portrays Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, released in 2001, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, released in 2002. Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts and one of the most powerful and influential wizards in the series.
After Harris died in October 2002, Michael Gambon took over the role for the remaining six main Harry Potter films. This change sometimes causes confusion when viewers remember Dumbledore’s appearance but not which actor played him.
In Rowling’s story, Dumbledore is a mentor to Harry and previously defeated the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. His full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. The character’s history becomes increasingly important as the novels reveal his past choices and his connection to Voldemort’s defeat.