Harry Potter Cast: Deaths Chronologically Listed

When we lose members of the original Harry Potter cast, fans often pay tribute with a symbolic “wands up” to honor their memories. For many, these actors were instrumental in shaping their childhoods, so here’s a look back at the Harry Potter cast we’ve said goodbye to over the years.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Image via Warner Bros. Harris played Albus Dumbledore in the first two films and passed away from Hodgkin’s Disease in 2002 at 72.

Robert Knox – Marcus Belby

Knox portrayed Marcus Belby in The Half-Blood Prince. Tragically, he died in 2008 at 18 due to a stabbing incident. The role wasn’t recast for subsequent films.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

Image via Warner Bros. Spriggs played the Fat Lady, the painting guarding Gryffindor Tower. She passed away in 2008 at 78, and the role was recast for The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Bateson voiced Kreacher, the Black family house elf, in The Order of the Phoenix. He died in 2009 at 83. Simon McBurney took over the role for the remainder of the series.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Image via Warner Bros. Gardner, known for his Knight Bus role, died in 2010 at 85.

Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet

Burke played Hogwarts’ former headmaster, Armando Dippet, in Chamber of Secrets. He passed away in 2011 at 92.

Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley

Image via Warner Bros. Griffiths delivered the iconic “No post on Sundays” line as Vernon Dursley. He died in 2013 from heart surgery complications at 65.

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Cartwright portrayed Elphias Doge in The Order of the Phoenix. He passed away before The Deathly Hallows: Part I, leading to recasting. Cartwright died in 2013 at 78.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

Image via Warner Bros. Legeno, known for his terrifying portrayal of Fenrir Greyback, died of heatstroke while hiking in 2014 at 50.

Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom

Deadman played Tom, the Leaky Cauldron’s landlord, in the first film. He died in 2014 from diabetes complications, and the role was recast.

David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)

Ryall took over Elphias Doge’s role in The Deathly Hallows. He died in 2014 at 79.

Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

Image via Warner Bros. Rickman brought Snape to life across all eight films. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at 69.

Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron

Bayler played the fearsome Bloody Baron. He died in 2016 at 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

Image via Warner Bros. Douglas played Bathilda Bagshot. She died in 2016 at 92.

John Hurt – Ollivander

Hurt brought Ollivander to life. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in early 2017, just after turning 77.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Beazley portrayed Professor Everard in The Order of the Phoenix. He died in 2017 at 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Image via Warner Bros. Hardy played Cornelius Fudge. He died in 2017 at 91.

Verne Troyer – Griphook

Troyer played Griphook in Philosopher’s Stone. He died from alcohol-related complications in 2018 at 49.

Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple

Ritter portrayed Eldred Worple in Half-Blood Prince. He died of a brain tumor in 2021 at 54.

Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy

Image via Warner Bros. McCrory played Draco’s mother. She died of cancer in 2021 at 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Image via Warner Bros. Coltrane portrayed Hagrid in all eight films. He died from organ failure in 2022 at 72.

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Phillips lent his voice to the Sorting Hat. He passed away in 2022 at 98.

Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban onwards)

Gambon played Dumbledore in later films. He died after battling pneumonia in 2023 at 82.

Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall

Image via Warner Bros. Smith portrayed McGonagall in all eight films. She passed away in September 2024 at 89.

Simon Fisher-Becker – Fat Friar

Fisher-Becker appeared as the Fat Friar in Philosopher’s Stone. He died in March 2025 at 63.

That’s the chronological list of Harry Potter cast members we’ve lost so far. [ttpp]