Harry Potter Cast: Order of Deaths

When we lose members of the original *Harry Potter* cast, fans send out a “wands up” in honor of their memory. These actors were integral parts of our growing up, and to honor their memory, here is a comprehensive list of all the *Harry Potter* cast members we’ve lost over the years.

Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths, In Chronological Order

The first *Harry Potter* movie was released in 2001, marking over two decades since the original cast first enchanted us with their journey to Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Unfortunately, this passage of time also means we’ve had to bid farewell to many of the actors who brought this magical world to life.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Image via Warner Bros.

Richard Harris, who portrayed 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 killed in a stabbing incident in 2008 at just 18 years old. His character, a minor role, was not recast for the remaining films.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

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Elizabeth Spriggs played the painting that guards Gryffindor Tower, known as the Fat Lady. The role was recast for *The Prisoner of Azkaban* when the portrait was given a new appearance and location. Spriggs passed away in 2008 at the age of 78.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson voiced the inherited Black family house elf, Kreacher, in *The Order of the Phoenix*. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 83, before the series concluded. Simon McBurney took over the role for the remaining *Harry Potter* films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

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Though Jimmy Gardner had a brief appearance as the Knight Bus driver Ernie in *Prisoner of Azkaban*, his character’s iconic big-glasses look and erratic driving left a lasting impression. Gardner 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

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Richard Griffiths delivered the memorable line “No post on Sundays” as Vernon Dursley in all the *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* film. He passed away before the filming of *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*, leading to the role being recast. Cartwright died in 2013 at the age of 78.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

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Dave Legeno portrayed the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback. He tragically died from heatstroke while hiking in 2014 at the age of 50.

Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom

In the first *Harry Potter* film, Derek Deadman played the Leaky Cauldron’s landlord, Tom. He passed away in 2014 from diabetes complications, and the role was recast for his appearances in later films.

David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)

David Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge for *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 79.

Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

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Alan Rickman played the complex character of Severus Snape in 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 portrayed the silent but eerie Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

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Hazel Douglas played the author of *A History of Magic*, Bathilda Bagshot, in *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 92.

John Hurt – Ollivander

Sir John Hurt brought the character of wandmaker Ollivander to life in the *Harry Potter* films. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in early 2017, shortly after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley portrayed the portrait of Professor Everard in *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*. He passed away in 2017 at the remarkable age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

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Robert Hardy played the inept yet affable 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, although Warwick Davis provided the voice. After Troyer’s passing, Davis fully took on the role. Troyer passed away from complications of alcohol intoxication, later ruled a suicide, in 2018.

Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple

Paul Ritter played a minor character, Eldred Worple, a former student of Professor Horace Slughorn in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. He passed away from a brain tumor in 2021 at the age of 54.

Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy

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Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother. She passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

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Robbie Coltrane brought our beloved half-giant Hagrid to life in all eight *Harry Potter* films. He passed away from organ failure in 2022 at the age of 72.

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Though Leslie Phillips was never seen on screen, he was the voice behind 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 starting with the third *Harry Potter* film. He passed away after battling pneumonia in 2023 at the age of 82.

Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall

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Dame Maggie Smith portrayed 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 in the first *Harry Potter* movie, *The Philosopher’s Stone*, as the Hogwarts ghost, Fat Friar. He passed away in March 2025 at the age of 63.

And that concludes the list of *Harry Potter* cast members we’ve sadly lost, listed 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.*