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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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 introduced us to the magical world of Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Sadly, during this time, we've had to say goodbye to many of the actors who helped bring this enchanting universe to life.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Richard Harris, who portrayed the wise and beloved 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 stabbed and died in 2008 at just 18 years old. The character of Belby, 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, known as the Fat Lady. The role was recast for The Prisoner of Azkaban with a new look and location. 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 was completed. Simon McBurney took over voicing Kreacher for the remaining Harry Potter films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Jimmy Gardner appeared briefly as the Knight Bus driver Ernie in Prisoner of Azkaban. His character's iconic big-glasses look and erratic driving are unforgettable. Gardner passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.

Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet

Alfred Burke played the former headmaster of Hogwarts, 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 iconic line “No post on Sundays,” played 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, and the role was recast. Cartwright died in 2013 at the age of 78.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

Dave Legeno portrayed the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback and 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 of diabetes, and the role was recast for Tom’s appearances in later films.

David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)

David Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He died 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 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 eerie 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

Sir John Hurt brought the character of wandmaker Ollivander to life in the Harry Potter films. He died of pancreatic cancer in early 2017, shortly after his 77th birthday.

Sam Beazley – Portrait of Professor Everard

Sam Beazley portrayed the portrait of Professor Everard, with whom Dumbledore briefly converses in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Beazley passed away in 2017 at the age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Robert Hardy played 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, although he did not provide the character's voice; that was done by Warwick Davis, who later portrayed the character following 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 and former student of Professor Horace Slughorn, Eldred Worple, 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 Draco’s mother, Narcissa Malfoy. She passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane brought to life the beloved 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 Leslie Phillips was never seen on screen, he provided the voice for 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 with 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 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 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 members we've had to say goodbye to, listed in the 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.