Harry Potter Cast: Remembering Their Departures in Chronological Order

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.

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The first Harry Potter movie came out in 2001, marking over 20 years 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 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 the role of Slug Club member Marcus Belby 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

Elizabeth Spriggs brought to life the painting that guards Gryffindor Tower, the Fat Lady. Her role was recast for The Prisoner of Azkaban when the portrait underwent a transformation. 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

Although Jimmy Gardner appeared only briefly as the Knight Bus driver Ernie in Prisoner of Azkaban, his character's distinctive big glasses 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

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 complications following heart surgery at the age of 65.

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Peter Cartwright portrayed Order of the Phoenix member Elphias Doge 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

Dave Legeno portrayed the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback and 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 the Leaky Cauldron's landlord, Tom. He died in 2014 from complications related to diabetes, and his role was recast for subsequent 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.

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Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

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 scary Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

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

Actor 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

Dumbledore briefly converses with the portrait of Professor Everard in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This former headmaster was portrayed by Sam Beazley, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Robert Hardy played the role of the inept 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 provide the voice. Warwick Davis later voiced and 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 a minor character and 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, and passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane admirably portrayed our favorite half-giant, Hagrid, in all eight Harry Potter movies. He passed away from organ failure in 2022 at the age of 72.

Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat

Though we never saw Leslie Phillips on screen, he was the voice behind Hogwarts' very own 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 passed away after suffering from 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 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.