Who Played Dumbledore in the First Harry Potter Film
Richard Harris portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first Harry Potter film. He was the original actor chosen for the role when the franchise began.
Why Richard Harris Was Cast
Director Chris Columbus and the casting team selected Harris for his distinguished screen presence and experience. His performance established the calm, wise tone of Dumbledore in the early films.
What Happened After the First Film
Richard Harris continued as Dumbledore in the second film but passed away in 2002. Michael Gambon then took over the role for the remaining films in the series. For more details on the casting history, see the official Harry Potter franchise page at Wizarding World.
