Michael Gambon Biography

One of Britain's most revered stage performers, Michael Gambon was described by the late Sir Ralph Richardson as "The Great Gambon." The fierce-looking Irish actor joined Britain's National Theatre in 1963 after being personally selected by Sir Laurence Olivier. He quickly worked his way up to leading parts and became particularly well known for his work in a number of Alan Ayckbourn plays. Gambon's career received a major boost in 1980, when he took the title role in John Dexter's production of The Life of Galileo; he subsequently became a regular player with both the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The actor received particular acclaim for his work in A View from the Bridge, for which he won all of the major drama awards in 1987, and Volpone, for which he won the 1995 Evening Standard Award. Gambon made his Broadway debut in 1997 in New York's Royal Theatre production of David Hare's Skylight.While he was busy racking up an impressive number of plays, Gambon also found time to nurture a film career. Although he made his screen debut in a 1965 adaptation of Othello, the actor appeared only sporadically in films until the late '80s, when he began earning recognition for his work in such films as Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989), which cast him as the sadistic titular thief. He went on to do starring work in a number of diverse films, including A Man of No Importance (1994), The Browning Version (1994), Dancing at Lughnasa (1998), and Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow (1999). Extremely busy during the millennial turnover, Gambon once again caught the attention of audiences in Robert Altman's much-praised comedy Gosford Park before taking over the late Richard Harris's role as Albus Dumbledore in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, subsequently portraying the character for the remainder of the films. Gambon, who became a familiar face to PBS devotees via his title role in Dennis Potter's quirky TV serial The Singing Detective (1986-1987), was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: Well - it's just that you seem to be laboring under the delusion that I am going to - what is the phrase - 'Come quietly'. I am afraid that I am not going to come quietly at all, Cornelius. I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban. I could break out, of course - but what a waste of time, and frankly, I can think of a host of things I would rather be doing.
  From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Submitted by Garner M (5 days ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: You were the seventh Horcrux, Harry, the Horcrux he never meant to make.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Garner M (5 days ago)

• 1. Georgina Spica the Wife: Yes! He's a man. He's Jewish and he's from Ethiopia!
  2. Albert Spica the Thief: What?
  3. Georgina Spica the Wife: His mother is a Roman Catholic, he's been imprisoned in South Africa, he's as black as the ace of spades and he probably drinks his own pee!
  From The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. Submitted by Alice L (12 days ago)

• 1. Cornelius Fudge: [just after Buckbeak's escape] We must search the grounds!
  2. Albus Dumbledore: Search the *skies* if you must, Minister, but now I think I'll have a nice cup of tea, or a large brandy. Oh, and executioner, your services are no longer required. Thank you.
  From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Submitted by Austin R (16 days ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on Earth should that mean that it is not real?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Mati M (2 months ago)

• 1. Harry Potter: I have to go back, haven't I?
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Oh, that's up to you
  3. Harry Potter: I have a choice?
  4. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Oh, yes. We're in King's Cross, you say? I think, if you so desired, you'd be able to board a train.
  5. Harry Potter: And where would it take me?
  6. Professor Albus Dumbledore: On.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Mati M (2 months ago)

• 1. Harry Potter: Oh, and sir?
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: [turns and faces Harry]
  3. Harry Potter: Is this all real..? Or is it just happening inside my head?
  4. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Of course it's happening inside your head, Harry. But why then should it mean that it's not real?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Claire P (3 months ago)

• 1. Professor Severus Snape: [after making secret agreement with Dumbledore.] No one... can know... Your word!
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: My word that I can never reveal the best of you, Severus?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Jake D (4 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Words are a most inexhaustible source of magic.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Lara B (4 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: You're not telling me you've grown to love the boy?
  2. Professor Severus Snape: [shows doe patronus- same as Harry's mother's]
  3. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Even after all this time?
  4. Professor Severus Snape: Always.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Filomena G (5 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on Earth should that mean that it is not real?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Hubert P (6 months ago)

• 1. Professor Severus Snape: No one can know.
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: I shall never reveal the best of you, Severus.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Asad C (7 months ago)

• 1. Mrs. Bean: How many jars should I bring up, Franklin?
  2. Franklin Bean: I don't know, two I guess.
  3. Mrs. Bean: But you drank two yesterday, though.
  4. Franklin Bean: Alright, take three.
  5. Mrs. Bean: [ponders] Nope. Two's plenty.
  From Fantastic Mr. Fox. Submitted by Diego T (7 months ago)

• 1. Franklin Bean: Why did he write this with letters cut out of magazines?
  2. Walter Boggis: I don't know, but you did the same thing.
  From Fantastic Mr. Fox. Submitted by Diego T (7 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Don't tell me now that you've grown to care for the boy.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Kallistiee T (8 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: [to Professor Snape] For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.
  From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Submitted by Mladen B (8 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by girly g (9 months ago)

• 1. Professor Severus Snape: So when the time comes... the boy must die?
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Yes. Yes... he must die. [Shot of Snape collapsing at the sight of Lily's dead body]
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Jessica D (9 months ago)

• 1. King George V: We've been reduced to the most vile and loathsome profession of all: actors.
  From The King's Speech. Submitted by Austin P (9 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well.
  From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Submitted by Javis C (10 months ago)

• 1. Harry Potter: Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?
  2. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Emma C (10 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: Harry... It's not how you are alike. It's how you are not.
  From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Submitted by Stephanie T (10 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: "After all this time?"
  2. Professor Severus Snape: "Always."
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Cindy G (10 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: It was foolish to come here tonight, Tom.
  2. Lord Voldemort: You are a fool Harry Potter, and you will loose everything.
  From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Submitted by C.J. H (10 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Power was my weakness and my temptation.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Steven G (11 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Sierra M (11 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living.
  From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Submitted by Asad C (11 months ago)

• 1. Baltus Van Tassel: There is a conspiracy here, and I will seek it out!
  From Sleepy Hollow. Submitted by Lea L (12 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: Today we acknowledge a really terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly, a fierce, fierce friend. Therefore, I feel you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered, by Lord Voldemort. The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But not to do so I feel would be an insult to his memory. Now the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me, and, reminds us, that though we may come from different countries and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. In light of the recent events, the bonds of friendship made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that, and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain. You remember that, and we'll celebrate a boy who was kind, and honest, and brave, and true. Right to the very end.
  From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Submitted by Lea L (12 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: Well now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: The TriWizard Tournament. The Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contest are not for the faint-hearted.
  From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Submitted by Lea L (12 months ago)

• 1. Albus Dumbledore: The Goblet of Fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly! If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, The Triwizard Tournament has begun!
  From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Submitted by Lea L (12 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Once again I must ask too much of you Harry.
  From Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Submitted by Josh S (13 months ago)

• 1. Eddie Temple: You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake son.
  From Layer Cake. Submitted by Chris P (13 months ago)

• 1. Solara: It's amazing you two have survived out here all by yourselves.
  2. Martha: Well George is somewhat of a handyman, we've had a few try and take it from us, haven't we George!
  3. George: Yes we have.
  From The Book of Eli. Submitted by James W (13 months ago)

• 1. Eli: You got anymore weapons?
  2. George: Weapons! I'll show you weapons!
  From The Book of Eli. Submitted by James W (13 months ago)

• 1. Professor Albus Dumbledore: Harry, you need to shave, my friend.
  From Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Submitted by Reyna N (14 months ago)