Sir Michael Gambon, the renowned actor who played Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, has passed away at the age of 82.

Gambon, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, had a distinguished career spanning five decades in television, film, theatre, and radio.

He was a four-time BAFTA winner and a Tony nominee.

Gambon's widow, Lady Gambon, and son, Fergus, announced that their "beloved husband and father" died peacefully in the hospital surrounded by his family after a bout of pneumonia.

He began his acting career as a founding member of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre acting company in London.

He went on to win three Olivier Awards for his performances in National Theatre productions.

He is also known for his roles as French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective on the BBC.

Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the Harry Potter film series after the death of Richard Harris in 2003.

He played the role in six of the eight films.

The late actor was nominated for Emmy Awards for his roles as Mr. Woodhouse in a 2010 adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma and President Lyndon B. Johnson in Path to War in 2002.

He also received a Tony nomination in 1997 for his role in David Hare's play Skylight.

Gambon, who was known as "The Great Gambon" in acting circles, made his final stage appearance in a 2012 London production of Samuel Beckett's play All That Fall.

He was knighted for his services to the entertainment industry in 1998.