Michael Gambon

Born: 19th October 1940
Where: Dublin, Ireland

Sir Michael Gambon - or The Great Gambon as he was known by Sir Ralph Richardson - is a major player in theatre and film.

He made his name on TV's Singing Detective and has appeared in a wide range of movies including Gosford Park, Sleepy Hollow and The Wings of The Dove.

After leaving school at 15, he worked in a factory sweeping floors and serving tea to the workers before being bitten by the acting bug.

He made his first stage appearance in 1962 in a Dublin production of Othello, before heading to London, where he performed at the National Theatre under the tutelage of Laurence Olivier.

At Olivier's suggestion, Gambon also worked at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to gain more experience.

After earning raves for his portrayal of Eddie in the 1987 revival of Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge, he co-starred with Jack Lemmon in the 1989 world premiere of Donald Freed's Veteran's Day.

Gambon's early TV work saw him appear alongside Trevor Howard and Martin Sheen in Catholics, but he is best remembered for Maigret and The Singing Detective.

He also auditioned for the role of James Bond after George Lazenby left the series after On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Although he began working on the big screen in 1974 with The Beast Must Die, it was not until well into the 80s that Michael began getting significant roles.

During that time he was in David Hare's Paris By Night, opposite Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season, and was memorable in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

In the 90's, he co-starred with Robin Williams in Toys, provided the voice of Badger in the animated The Wind in the Willows, and played Julia Roberts' father in Mary Reilly.

In 1996, Gambon made his Broadway stage debut, recreating his acclaimed London role in David Hare's Skylight, and the following year he was knighted by the Queen.

Gambon had a key role in Robert Altman's Gosford Park, appeared as a Frenchman in Charlotte Gray, and was even seen in the comedy Ali G Indahouse.

He played the Irish gangster Barreller in the otherwise lacklustre The Actors with Michael Caine.

Recent work includes Kevin Costner's large scale Western Open Range with Annette Bening and Costner and a Sylvia Plath's neighbour in Sylvia.

After the death of Sir Richard Harris, Gambon took on the role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies.

His first appearance as the bearded wizard was in the most recent instalment, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.

Recent work includes a minor role in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Istvan Szabo's romantic drama Being Julia.