The Harry Potter Franchise has a place in many people's hearts but sadly many of the actors who played iconic roles have passed away since filming.
Most recently, it was confirmed that the voice of the Sorting Hat, Leslie Phillips CBE died at the age of 98 on November 7 2022 on after a long illness. This follows a list including Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman and Helen McCrory who all have flawless performances and brought the characters from the pages to life.
Speaking about the end of the films, Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid said: "I just think it’s the end of an era.
READ NEXT: Harry Potter icon who voiced Sorting Hat passes away after long battle with illness
“My children had grown up during it, of course. The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children, so you could be watching them in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will.”
Here are all the Harry Potter actors who are sadly no longer with us.
- Leslie Phillips, 1924 to 2022
While he face may not be recognisable to many Harry Potter fans, his voice very well will be. Leslie voiced the Sorting Hat, the enchanted hat that placed new students into houses. Famously, the Sorting Hat knew that Harry could fit in to either Gryffindor or the cunning Slytherin.
Leslie was also famous for his role in the Carry On films as well as starring alongside Angelina Jolie in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. His agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed to Deadline that Phillips passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 7, 2022 at the age of 98, following a long illness.
The actor was made an OBE in the 1998 Birthday Honours list and was promoted to CBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.
- Robbie Coltrane, 1950 to 2022
"I shouldn't have said that", a line that brought chuckles throughout the cinema, delivered so perfectly by Robbie Coltrane who played Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise.
Robbie, born in Rutherglen was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.
His agent Belina Wright confirmed Robbie died at Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert.
She said: “For me personally, I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.
“He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy,” added Wright, who also asked that people respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.”
- Helen McCrory, 1968 to 2021
Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy in the film franchise, died aged 52 after a battle with cancer. She swore her friends and husband, fellow actor Damian Lewis, to secrecy about her illness as she underwent treatment.
Helen's other credits include the notorious Polly Shelby in Peaky Blinders.
Speaking to the Guardian, Cillian Murphy expressed how difficult it was to film the last season without her, hailing Helen as a 'remarkable' talent. "Her death was unbelievably sad and difficult," he said.
- John Hurt, 1940 to 2017
John Hurt took on the role of Mr Ollivander, the owner of the wand store in Diagon Alley, Ollivanders.
His character is most significant in the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Harry goes to buy his wand and learns about the connection his wand has with dark Lord Voldemort.
The actor had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Speaking to the Radio Times, before his death, John said: “I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it. We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly. But my treatment is going terrifically well, so I’m optimistic.”
- Alan Rickman, 1946 to 2016
Already a familiar face on the screen and stage, Alan Rickman played the no-nonsense Professor Snape and passed away aged 69 from cancer. His family confirmed that he was "surrounded by family and friends" when he passed away.
At the time, Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed protagonist character Harry Potter, wrote that Rickman was one of the greatest actors he will ever work with. Emma Watson also wrote: “So lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor.”
- Dave Legeno, 1963 to 2014
Dave Legeno, who played werewolf Fenrir Greyback, died of heat-related health problems after his body was found by hikers in Death Valley, California, United States.
It is reported he could have been dead for three to four days before his body was found.
- Roger Lloyd-Pack, 1944 to 2014
Roger Lloyd-Pack, who took on the role of Barty Crouch Senior, died of pancreatic cancer aged 69. He died at home and was surrounded by his family, according to his agent.
Roger had already made a name for himself playing Trigger in Only Fools and Horses and then the hopeless farmer Owen in the Vicar of Dibley, alongside Dawn French.
- Richard Griffiths, 1947 to 2013
Richard Griffiths, who played the role of Vernon Dursley, Harry's abusive uncle, died at the age of 65 following complications from heart surgery.
As the BBC reported, Daniel Radcliffe remembered him fondly, despite his cruel character in the films. Daniel said: “Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career.
“In August 2000, before official production had even begun on Potter, we filmed a shot outside the Dursley’s, which was my first ever shot as Harry. I was nervous, and he made me feel at ease.” He add that Richard made any room “twice as funny.”
- Richard Harris, 1930 to 2002
Richard Harris was the first actor to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, who iconically ate an ear wax flavoured Bertie Botts Every-Flavour Beans in the first film.
In August 2002, after the filming of the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harris was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and the role was passed on to Michael Gambon.
After starring in Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, Richard died aged 72 at University College Hospital, London.
According to Insider, no one on set that the heart to tell him that the phoenix in the second film was mechanic. Director Christopher Columbus recalled: “Richard came in, looked at the phoenix, and said, ‘Wow, they train these animals marvelously these days."
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