Richard Harris

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9.4 Superb
19 votes

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Biography

Recent Role:
Guest on Late Show with David Letterman
Gender:
Male
Born:
10-1-1930
Died:
10-25-2002 (Hodgkin's Disease)
Birthplace:
Limerick, Ireland
Birth Name:
Richard St. John Harris
Richard was born in Limerick in 1930, one of eight children born to Limerick farmer Ivan Harris and his wife, the former Mildred Harty. His father was wealthy, and Richard was surrounded by servants. However, it didn't last, and the company collapsed so Richard spent the rest of childhood in poverty.

At school, he excelled at Rugby, but TB put a stop to that as a career path. While ill, he turned to reading which in turn led to his interest in acting.

In 1954, he went to London to study at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), after being rejected



… More by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.. He spent time learning his trade on the stage, before his big break in This Sporting Life.

His career remained successful but his heavy drinking and wild antics made him bankrupt and even led to a priest reading him his last rites.

Further successes in film and wife investments, eventually meant he was financially secure, and his last, very popular role was as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films.

Richard was married twice. First to Elizabeth Rees from 1957 to 1969 and they had three children: director Damian Harris, and actors Jared Harris and Jamie Harris. Then to Ann Turkel from 1974 until their divorce in 1982. Richard passed away in 2002. Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Bahamas, where he had a home.

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Fans' Reviews

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  •  
    9 Superb
    Great :) hide show

    I haven't seen any of Harris's works besides as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. In those films though, he was absolutely amazing. When many people first saw him, they knew who he was without question: the Dumbledore we had only read about. He had been brought to life right in front of us and for many, he was exactly the way we imagined it. He was kind, and loving and that was displayed in the first scene but also in one of the last of The Philosopher's Stone. He played an amazing Dumbledore for the first two movies and the Potter fandom mourned his death in 2002 where it meant the end of the perfect Dumbledore. Thank you Richard Harris, R.I.P.

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    dea300 Added Jul 16, 2009 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    empty hide show

    Richard Harris played Dubledore in the first two Harry Potter movies until he sadly past away. He was so much better than his replacement. Much more calm and is ready for EVERY situation. RIP

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    alexlips Added Feb 3, 2007 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    A very good Dumbledore hide show

    Richard Harris was a very good actor he was a great Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies, I wish he could have played Dumbledore in all of the movies, Micheal Gambon is good but not as good as Richard Harris was for the part, he was a great actor and will be missed.

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    Bountyhunterc28 Added Jan 7, 2006 All my reviews
 

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