Harry Potter Cast: Chronological Order of Deaths

When we lose members of the original *Harry Potter* cast, fans send out a “wands up” in honor of their memory. These actors were integral to our childhoods, and to honor their memory, here are all of the *Harry Potter* cast members we’ve lost, listed in chronological order of their passing.

Harry Potter Cast Member Deaths, In Chronological Order

The first *Harry Potter* movie was released in 2001, marking over two decades since the original cast first introduced us to the magical world of Hogwarts. Over these years, we've had to say goodbye to several beloved actors who brought this enchanting universe to life.

Richard Harris – Original Dumbledore

Image via Warner Bros. Richard Harris, who portrayed 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 Marcus Belby, a member of the Slug Club in *The Half-Blood Prince*. Tragically, he was killed in a stabbing at just 18 years old in 2008. His character was not recast for the remaining films due to its minor role.

Elizabeth Spriggs – Original Fat Lady

Image via Warner Bros. Elizabeth Spriggs portrayed the painting that guards Gryffindor Tower, known as the Fat Lady. Her role was recast for *The Prisoner of Azkaban* when the portrait was given a new look and location. Spriggs passed away in 2008 at the age of 78.

Timothy Bateson – Kreacher

Timothy Bateson voiced the Black family's house elf, Kreacher, in *The Order of the Phoenix*. He died in 2009 at the age of 83, before the completion of the series. Simon McBurney took over the role for the remaining films.

Jimmy Gardner – Knight Bus Driver Ernie

Image via Warner Bros. Though Jimmy Gardner's appearance as the Knight Bus driver Ernie in *Prisoner of Azkaban* was brief, his character's unique big-glasses look and erratic driving left a lasting impression. Gardner passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.

Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet

Alfred Burke portrayed Hogwarts' former headmaster, Armando Dippet, in *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*. He died in 2011 at the age of 92.

Richard Griffiths – Uncle Vernon Dursley

Image via Warner Bros. Richard Griffiths delivered the iconic line, “No post on Sundays,” as Vernon Dursley in all of the *Harry Potter* films. He passed away in 2013 from complications during heart surgery at the age of 65.

Peter Cartwright – Original Elphias Doge

Peter Cartwright portrayed Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, in the *Order of the Phoenix* film. He died in 2013 at the age of 78, before the filming of *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*, leading to the role being recast.

Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback

Image via Warner Bros. Dave Legeno portrayed the terrifying werewolf Fenrir Greyback. He tragically died 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 Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron. He died in 2014 from diabetes complications, and the role was recast for subsequent films.

David Ryall – Elphias Doge (Deathly Hallows)

David Ryall took over the role of Elphias Doge for *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 79.

Alan Rickman – Professor Severus Snape

Image via Warner Bros. Alan Rickman portrayed the complex character of Severus Snape in all eight *Harry Potter* films. He died from pancreatic cancer in 2016 at the age of 69.

Terence Bayler – The Bloody Baron

Terence Bayler played the silent but eerie Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

Hazel Douglas – Bathilda Bagshot

Image via Warner Bros. Hazel Douglas portrayed Bathilda Bagshot, the author of *A History of Magic*, in *The Deathly Hallows: Part I*. She died in 2016 at the age of 92.

John Hurt – Ollivander

Sir John Hurt brought to life the character of wandmaker Ollivander in the *Harry Potter* films. He died of pancreatic cancer in early 2017, just 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*. He passed away in 2017 at the remarkable age of 101.

Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge

Image via Warner Bros. Robert Hardy played the inept yet affable Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He died in 2017 at the age of 91.

Verne Troyer – Griphook

In *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, Verne Troyer portrayed Griphook the goblin, though Warwick Davis provided the voice. Troyer sadly passed away from complications of alcohol intoxication, later ruled a suicide, in 2018.

Paul Ritter – Eldred Worple

Paul Ritter played the minor character Eldred Worple, a former student of Professor Horace Slughorn, in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. He died of a brain tumor in 2021 at the age of 54.

Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy

Image via Warner Bros. Helen McCrory portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother, in the *Harry Potter* series. She died of cancer in 2021 at the age of 52.

Robbie Coltrane – Hagrid

Image via Warner Bros. Robbie Coltrane admirably played 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

Leslie Phillips provided the voice for Hogwarts' Sorting Hat, though he was never seen on screen. He died in 2022 at the age of 98.

Michael Gambon – Dumbledore (*Prisoner of Azkaban* onwards)

Sir Michael Gambon took over 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

Image via Warner Bros. Dame Maggie Smith portrayed 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 as the Fat Friar, one of Hogwarts' ghosts, in the very first *Harry Potter* movie, *the Philosopher’s Stone*. He passed away in March 2025 at the age of 63.

And that’s all *Harry Potter* cast deaths in 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.*