All Harry Potter Cast Deaths in Order of Their Passing

When we lose members of the original Harry Potter cast, fans send out a “wands up” in honor of their memory. For many of us, these actors were integral parts of growing up, so to honor their memory, here are all of the Harry Potter cast we’ve lost.

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The first Harry Potter movie came out in 2001, meaning over 20 years have passed since the original cast first took us to Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Sadly, that also means we’ve had to say goodbye to many of the actors who helped create this magical world.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Richard Harris, who brought the wise and powerful Albus Dumbledore to life in the first two Harry Potter films, passed away from Hodgkin’s Disease in 2002 at the age of 72. His portrayal of Dumbledore remains a cherished part of the series for fans.

Robert Knox – Marcus Belby

Robert Knox portrayed the young Slug Club member Marcus Belby in The Half-Blood Prince. Tragically, he was stabbed and died in 2008 at just 18 years old. His untimely death left a void in the Harry Potter community, and the role was not recast for the remaining films.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

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

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson lent his voice to the Black family’s house elf, Kreacher, in The Order of the Phoenix. He died in 2009 at the age of 83 before the series concluded. Simon McBurney took over the role for the rest of the films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Jimmy Gardner’s brief but memorable role as the erratic Knight Bus driver Ernie in Prisoner of Azkaban left a lasting impression with his big glasses and wild driving. 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 died in 2011 at the age of 92.

Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley

Richard Griffiths, known for his portrayal of the grumpy Uncle Vernon Dursley across all the Harry Potter films, passed away in 2013 from complications following heart surgery. He was 65 years old and left behind the iconic line, “No post on Sundays.”

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Peter Cartwright played Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, in The Order of the Phoenix. 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

Dave Legeno brought the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback to life. He 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 due to complications from diabetes, 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 died in 2014 at the age of 79.

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Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

Alan Rickman played the complex and beloved Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter films. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at the age of 69. His portrayal remains one of the most iconic in the series.

Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron

Terence Bayler played the silent but eerie Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron. He died in 2016 at the age of 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

Hazel Douglas portrayed 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 wandmaker Ollivander to life in the Harry Potter films. He died of pancreatic cancer in early 2017, shortly after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley portrayed the portrait of Professor Everard, with whom Dumbledore briefly converses in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Beazley passed away in 2017 at the remarkable age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Robert Hardy played the affable yet ineffective Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He died in 2017 at the age of 91.

Verne Troyer – Griphook

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Verne Troyer played Griphook the goblin, though Warwick Davis provided the voice. Troyer passed away in 2018 from complications of alcohol intoxication, later ruled a suicide.

Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple

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

Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy

Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother, in the Harry Potter series. She died of cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

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

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Though never seen on screen, Leslie Phillips was the voice behind Hogwarts’ Sorting Hat. He died in 2022 at the age of 98.

Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban onwards)

Sir Michael Gambon stepped into the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore from Prisoner of Azkaban onwards. He passed away after suffering from pneumonia in 2023 at the age of 82.

Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall

Dame Maggie Smith portrayed the stern yet caring 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 very first Harry Potter movie, the Philosopher’s Stone, as one of Hogwarts’ ghosts, the Fat Friar. He passed away in March 2025 at the age of 63.

And that’s all Harry Potter cast deaths in 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.