"Harry Potter Cast: A Timeline of Tragic Losses"

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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Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths, In Chronological Order

The first Harry Potter movie came out in 2001, marking over 20 years since the original cast first enchanted us with their journey to Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Sadly, this also means we’ve had to bid farewell to many of the actors who brought this magical universe to life.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

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 the young age of 18. His character, though minor, was not recast for the subsequent films.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

Elizabeth Spriggs brought to life the painting that guards Gryffindor Tower, known as the Fat Lady. Her role was recast for The Prisoner of Azkaban due to a change in the portrait's appearance and location. Spriggs passed away in 2008 at the age of 78.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson provided the voice for the Black family's 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 voicing Kreacher for the remaining films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Jimmy Gardner's brief but memorable role as the erratic driver of the Knight Bus in Prisoner of Azkaban left a lasting impression. He 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

Richard Griffiths, known for his portrayal of Vernon Dursley in all Harry Potter films, famously delivered the line, "No post on Sundays." He passed away in 2013 due to complications from 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. 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 portrayed the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback. He tragically passed away 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 Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron. He passed away in 2014 from complications due to diabetes, and his role was recast for subsequent 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.

Related: All Harry Potter Characters in Quidditch Champions & How To Get Them

Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

Alan Rickman brought the complex character of Severus Snape to life 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

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

John Hurt – Ollivander

Sir John Hurt portrayed the wandmaker Ollivander in the Harry Potter films. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer in early 2017, shortly after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley played 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

Robert Hardy portrayed the bumbling yet likable 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. Troyer passed away in 2018 due to complications from alcohol intoxication, which was 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 passed away from 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 passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane brought the 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 not seen on screen, Leslie Phillips provided the voice for the Sorting Hat at Hogwarts. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 98.

Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban onwards)

Sir Michael Gambon took on the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore starting from the third Harry Potter film. He passed away after battling pneumonia in 2023 at the age of 82.

Maggie Smith – Professor McGonagall

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 as the jovial ghost, the Fat Friar, in the first Harry Potter movie, The Philosopher’s Stone. 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.