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 members we’ve lost.

Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths, In Chronological Order

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 portrayed the wise and beloved Albus Dumbledore in the first two *Harry Potter* films, sadly passed away from Hodgkin’s Disease in 2002 at the age of 72. His performance remains a cherished part of the series.

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 was not recast for the remaining films.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

Elizabeth Spriggs brought life to the Fat Lady, the painting that guards Gryffindor Tower. Her role was recast for *The Prisoner of Azkaban* due to changes in the character’s appearance and location. Spriggs passed away in 2008 at the age of 78.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson lent his voice to the character of Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, in *The Order of the Phoenix*. He died in 2009 at the age of 83, before the series was complete, and the role was later voiced by Simon McBurney.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

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

Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley

Richard Griffiths delivered the iconic line “No post on Sundays” as Vernon Dursley in all of the *Harry Potter* films. He passed away in 2013 from heart surgery complications at the age of 65.

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Peter Cartwright portrayed Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, in the *Order of the Phoenix* film. He died in 2013 at the age of 78, before the filming of *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*, and the role was recast.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

Dave Legeno brought the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback to life. He tragically passed away from heatstroke while hiking in 2014 at the age of 50.

Derek Deadman – Original Leaky Cauldron Landlord Tom

Derek Deadman played Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron, in the first *Harry Potter* film. He died in 2014 from Diabetes complications, and the role was recast for later appearances.

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

Alan Rickman played the complex and enigmatic Severus Snape in all eight *Harry Potter* films. He died 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 died 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, just after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley appeared as 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 played the bumbling but 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, though he did not voice the character; that was done by Warwick Davis, who later portrayed the character after Troyer’s passing. Troyer died from complications of alcohol intoxication, later ruled a suicide, in 2018.

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* films. She died of 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* movies. He died from organ failure in 2022 at the age of 72.

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Though unseen on screen, Leslie Phillips 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 on the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore starting from the third *Harry Potter* film. He died 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 as the jovial ghost of Hufflepuff, 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.*