13 Hogwarts Legends: Remembering The Harry Potter Actors Who Have Passed Away (Updated 2025)

The world of Harry Potter, a saga that defined a generation, is built on magic and enduring friendship, but the real-world cast of the films has faced a series of heartbreaking losses over the past two decades. As of today, December 10, 2025, the list of beloved actors who brought the halls of Hogwarts and the wider Wizarding World to life continues to grow, with the most recent passings of Dame Maggie Smith and Simon Fisher-Becker.

This article serves as a comprehensive and respectful tribute to the talented stars we have lost, detailing their iconic roles, their full biographies, and the circumstances of their passing. From the professors who guided Harry to the villains who hunted him, these actors left an indelible mark on cinematic history and remain forever in the hearts of the global fandom.

The Complete Biography List: Harry Potter Actors We Have Lost

The following list provides a detailed look at the lives and careers of the prominent actors from the Harry Potter film series who have sadly passed away, organized by the date of their death to reflect the timeline of loss for the fandom.

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• Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore, HP 1 & 2)
  • Born: October 1, 1930, Limerick, Ireland
  • Died: October 25, 2002 (Age 72)
  • Cause of Death: Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma), a form of cancer.
  • Notable Roles: The original Albus Dumbledore, he was also famous for his roles in Camelot (King Arthur) and Gladiator (Marcus Aurelius).
• Robert Knox (Marcus Belby)
  • Born: August 21, 1989, Kent, England
  • Died: May 24, 2008 (Age 18)
  • Cause of Death: Stabbed to death outside a bar in London while defending his younger brother.
  • Notable Roles: Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (a member of the Slug Club). His death brought significant attention to the issue of knife crime in the UK.
• Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley)
  • Born: July 31, 1947, Thornaby-on-Tees, England
  • Died: March 28, 2013 (Age 65)
  • Cause of Death: Complications following heart surgery.
  • Notable Roles: The tyrannical Uncle Vernon Dursley, he was a celebrated stage and screen actor, winning a Tony Award for The History Boys.
• Alan Rickman (Severus Snape)
  • Born: February 21, 1946, Acton, London, England
  • Died: January 14, 2016 (Age 69)
  • Cause of Death: Pancreatic cancer. His illness was kept private from the public.
  • Notable Roles: Severus Snape, Hans Gruber in Die Hard, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. His portrayal of Snape remains one of the most complex and beloved in the franchise.
• Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge)
  • Born: October 29, 1925, Cheltenham, England
  • Died: August 3, 2017 (Age 91)
  • Cause of Death: Passed away peacefully at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors.
  • Notable Roles: Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, and a frequent portrayer of Winston Churchill in various productions.
• Verne Troyer (Griphook - Body Double)
  • Born: January 1, 1969, Sturgis, Michigan, USA
  • Died: April 21, 2018 (Age 49)
  • Cause of Death: Ruled a suicide by sequelae of alcohol intoxication.
  • Notable Roles: Mini-Me in the Austin Powers series and the uncredited body double for the goblin Griphook in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
• Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy)
  • Born: August 17, 1968, Paddington, London, England
  • Died: April 16, 2021 (Age 52)
  • Cause of Death: Breast cancer, which she kept private until her passing.
  • Notable Roles: Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, and Polly Gray in the acclaimed series Peaky Blinders.
• Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid)
  • Born: March 30, 1950, Rutherglen, Scotland
  • Died: October 14, 2022 (Age 72)
  • Cause of Death: Multiple organ failure, with contributing factors including sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection, Type 2 diabetes, heart block, and obesity.
  • Notable Roles: The beloved Rubeus Hagrid, and Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the TV series Cracker.
• Leslie Phillips (The Sorting Hat - Voice)
  • Born: April 20, 1924, Tottenham, London, England
  • Died: November 7, 2022 (Age 98)
  • Cause of Death: Passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long illness.
  • Notable Roles: The voice of the Sorting Hat, and a British comedy legend known for the Carry On films and his catchphrase, "Ding dong!"
• Paul Grant (Gringotts Goblin)
  • Born: 1967, England
  • Died: March 20, 2023 (Age 56)
  • Cause of Death: Collapsed outside King's Cross station in London. Reports indicate a lengthy battle with drug and alcohol addiction.
  • Notable Roles: An uncredited Gringotts Goblin in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and a Star Wars Ewok.
• Sir Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore, HP 3-8)
  • Born: October 19, 1940, Dublin, Ireland
  • Died: September 27, 2023 (Age 82)
  • Cause of Death: A bout of pneumonia.
  • Notable Roles: Taking over the iconic role of Albus Dumbledore from the third film, he was a giant of the stage, also known for The Singing Detective and Gosford Park.
• Dame Maggie Smith (Professor Minerva McGonagall)
  • Born: December 28, 1934, Ilford, Essex, England
  • Died: September 27, 2024 (Age 89)
  • Cause of Death: Passed away peacefully in a London hospital. She had previously battled breast cancer and Graves' disease.
  • Notable Roles: Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, and the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
• Simon Fisher-Becker (The Fat Friar)
  • Born: November 25, 1961, England
  • Died: March 9, 2025 (Age 63)
  • Cause of Death: An official cause was not released, though his passing followed a reported 15-year battle with cancer.
  • Notable Roles: The cheerful ghost of the Hufflepuff House, The Fat Friar, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and a role in Doctor Who.

The Most Recent Losses: Dame Maggie Smith and Simon Fisher-Becker

The Wizarding World community was rocked by two significant losses in quick succession in 2024 and 2025, bringing the total number of deceased cast members to a poignant count. The passing of these actors serves as a fresh reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of their performances.

Dame Maggie Smith: The Enduring Legacy of Minerva McGonagall

The news of Dame Maggie Smith’s passing on September 27, 2024, marked one of the most profound losses for the franchise. The two-time Oscar winner, who played the stern but deeply caring Professor Minerva McGonagall, died peacefully in a London hospital at the age of 89. Smith was a titan of the stage and screen, with a career spanning seven decades. Her portrayal of McGonagall—a powerful witch and a fierce protector of the Hogwarts students—was a defining element of the films, embodying strength, dignity, and a hidden warmth. Her final years also saw her achieve new global fame as the sharp-witted Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.

Simon Fisher-Becker: The Cheerful Ghost of Hufflepuff House

The year 2025 brought another sad farewell with the passing of actor Simon Fisher-Becker on March 9, 2025, at the age of 63. Fisher-Becker was known to Harry Potter fans as The Fat Friar, the jovial ghost of Hufflepuff House who made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. While an official cause of death was not immediately released, news outlets reported that his passing followed a long battle with cancer that lasted approximately 15 years. His career also included a memorable role in the popular sci-fi series Doctor Who, cementing his place in two of Britain’s most beloved franchises.

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Tragic and Unexpected Losses Among the Cast

While many of the actors passed away peacefully after long, celebrated lives, a few of the deaths were particularly tragic, reminding fans of the fragility of life and the harsh realities outside the magical world of the films.

The Murder of Robert Knox

One of the most shocking losses remains that of Robert Knox, who played Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Knox was just 18 years old when he was fatally stabbed outside a bar in Sidcup, southeast London, in May 2008. He was killed while bravely intervening to protect his 17-year-old brother from a man with a knife. His untimely death became a high-profile case that raised significant awareness about knife crime in the UK, and he is remembered as a real-life hero by his family and the Harry Potter community.

Verne Troyer’s Private Battle

Verne Troyer, the actor best known for his role as Mini-Me, contributed to the Harry Potter universe as the uncredited body double for Griphook, the goblin bank teller, in the first film. Troyer passed away on April 21, 2018, at the age of 49. His death was ruled a suicide by alcohol intoxication, shedding light on the actor’s long and private struggle with alcohol addiction and depression.

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The Immortality of Their Performances

The collective loss of these talented individuals highlights the sheer depth of British acting talent that was assembled for the Harry Potter films. The passing of two Dumbledore actors, Richard Harris and Sir Michael Gambon, is a unique and poignant aspect of the franchise’s history. Harris, the original Dumbledore, died of Hodgkin's disease in 2002, leading to Gambon taking over the role and making it his own for the remainder of the series.

Similarly, the loss of Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) to pancreatic cancer in 2016 and Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) due to multiple health complications in 2022 left immense voids. Their performances as the brooding Potions Master and the gentle half-giant are considered cornerstones of the films, ensuring that their presence in the Wizarding World is truly immortal. The magic they created on screen continues to inspire and comfort millions of fans around the world, making them true Hogwarts legends we will never forget.