Daniel Radcliffe dutifully portrayed the role of the perfect student in the eyes of Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore throughout their characters’ years at Hogwarts. Being more of a mentor figure than just a headmaster, the late Sir Michael Gambon had attached himself to all the other actors.
During the death scene of Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Daniel Radcliffe revealed a hilarious moment when he had to mourn over the dead body of Albus Dumbledore. Being an iconic actor, Michael Gambon had actually dozed off while shooting that scene and Radcliffe had to wake him up!
When Daniel Radcliffe Had To Wake Michael Gambon
Gambon appeared in the iconic role of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the sixth part of the franchise titled Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. With Draco and Bellatrix finding Dumbledore at the top of the astronomy tower, a final confrontation ensues.
When Dumbledore tries to help Draco, Snape emerges from the shadows and kills Dumbledore with a tear in his eye. Harry Potter watched this drama unfold from beneath the stairs and later rushed in to confront Severus Snape. After the ordeal is over, a weak Potter is left cradling the dead body of their beloved headmaster while crying his eyes out. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2009, Daniel Radcliffe hilariously revealed that Sir Michael Gambon actually fell asleep during the shooting of Radcliffe’s crying scene!
“Dumbledore dies, and I had to do a scene lamenting over his body. Michael is the most respected actor I have ever worked with, so I had to really pull out the stops to convey the emotion.”
He further continued,
“But after the fourth take, I looked down and saw that he had dozed off. I had to prod him to wake up. So much for impressing someone with your skills!”
On the other side, Michael Gambon reflected on how good the death scene of Albus Dumbledore was. Stating that he knew what was what, the actor depicted through his eyes to Snape that he wants Snape to say the curse and kill him!
Michael Gambon Reflected On The Death of Albus Dumbledore
During the interview, Gambon also talked about the importance of that scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Movie fans were quite shocked by the death of Dumbledore and the actor talked via Los Angeles Times about the hidden detail between the lines.
“He knows what’s what. He invites it. It’s quite good how he dies. I’ve died in quite a few plays and films, I’m always dying, and this one is good.”
Sir Michael Gambon recently passed away at the age of 82. The world prays for his family and wishes the actor to rest in peace.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is currently available to stream on Max.
Source: Los Angeles Times
