All The Harry Potter Actors Who’ve Died

You can name on one hand the number of fantasy books that have been adapted for TV and film and achieved as much success as the Harry Potter franchise has. Spanning seven fantasy novels authored by British novelist J. K Rowling, the popular books were adapted into a film series by Warner Bros., and the characters many fans had come to love were brought to life by the outstanding cast. 

Unfortunately, some beloved actors have since, and as we celebrate their impact on our lives and pop culture, here is the complete list of all the actors as of writing this article who are no longer with us. 

22. Eric Sykes

Films: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Portrayed: Frank Bryce

Despite his minor role as a muggle caretaker and gardener of the Riddle family, Eric Sykes was well-loved as a British comedic actor. He died on 4 July 2012 aged 89 after a short illness.

Frank Bryce was slain by Lord Voldemort after Nagini told Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew that Bryce was eavesdropping on their conversation of them discussing their plans to murder Harry Potter.

21. Sam Beazley

Films: Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix

Portrayed: Professor Everard

A World War II veteran, Sam Beazley was a British actor who appeared in a variety of stage and film productions. Sam Beazley died on 12 June 2017, aged 101.

In the Harry Potter films, he appeared in a minor role as Professor Everard, one of Hogwarts most celebrated headmasters. His portrait hangs in the Headmaster’s Office and the Ministry of Magic’s Headquarters.

20. Terence Bayler

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Portrayed: The Bloody Barron

Terence Bayler was a New Zealand stage and film actor. His most notable role was Mr. Gregory in the 1979 British comedy film, Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Terence Bayler died on 2 August 2016, aged 86.

He later starred as The Bloody Barron, the ghost of Slytherin House and one of the many ghosts that haunt Hogwarts. 

19. Alfred Burke

Films: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Portrayed: Professor Armando Dippet

Alfred Burke was an English stage and film actor who is popularly known for his portrayal of inquiry agent Frank Marker in the British drama series Public Eye, which ran on ITV for 10 years. Alfred Burke died on 16 February 2011 from a chest infection, just 12 days before his 93rd birthday.

His final acting role was in Harry Potter, in which he portrayed Professor Armando Dippet, a headmaster of Hogwarts, and the predecessor of Professor Albus Dumbledore in that post.

18. Derek Deadman

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Portrayed: Tom, Landlord of the Leaky Cauldron

Derek Deadman was a British actor who starred in several films such as The Canterbury Tales, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and the British sci-fi TV series, Doctor Who as the merciless Sontaran Commander, Stor. Derek Deadman died on 22 November 2014, aged 74.

His appearance as Tom, the innkeeper, barman, and landlord of The Leaky Cauldron, a pub near Diagon Alley, is well remembered by avid fans of the series.

17. Peter Cartwright

Films: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Portrayed: Elphias Doge

The British actor born in South Africa was well known in South African commercials as the face of Charles Glass, the founder of South African Breweries. He also worked in theater and earned hundreds of credits in TV and film. Peter Cartwright died of cancer on 18 November 2013 aged 78.

He appeared as Elphias Doge, a close companion of Albus Dumbledore and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. 

16. Hazel Douglas

Films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Portrayed: Bathilda Bagshot

Hazel Douglas was an English actress who found career success as an actress later on in life, though she first appeared on television all the way back in 1947 in the TV film, Trilby. She also served in the Royal Navy. Hazel Douglas died on 8 September 2016, aged 92.

She appeared in the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as Bathilda Bagshot, a British witch, and magical historian. 

15. Paul Ritter

Films: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Portrayed: Eldred Worple

Paul Ritter was an English actor most notable for his role in the 2019 HBO historical drama miniseries Chernobyl, in which he portrayed Anatoly Dyatlov, the deputy chief engineer for the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Paul Ritter died of a brain tumor on 5 April 2021, aged 54.

His appearance as Eldred Worple, an author and wizard who was once Professor Slughorn’s favorite student, is well remembered by avid fans of the series.

14. Jimmy Gardner

Films: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Portrayed: Ernie Prang

Jimmy Gardner was an English actor and World War II veteran who served in the Royal Air Force as an air gunner. Due to his service in the RAF, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Jimmy Gardner died on 3 May 2010, aged 85.

He appeared as Ernie Prang, a British wizard and the driver of the purple Knight Bus, a bus that assisted stranded individuals of the wizarding community through public transportation. Though a minor role, it was one of the more comical and enjoyable roles in the entire series.

13. Elizabeth Spriggs

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Portrayed: The Portrait of the Fat Lady

Elizabeth Spriggs was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and had starred in London’s West End theater scene in plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Much Ado About Nothing. Elizabeth died on 2 July 2008.

Her role as The Fat Lady, a portrait that guarded the entrance to Gryffindor Tower at Hogwarts Castle, was short yet sweet, and it is one of the major roles that she will always be remembered for.

12. Timothy Bateson

Films: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Portrayed: Kreacher

Timothy Bateson was an English actor known for his roles in films including All or Nothing, Oliver Twist, and Waiting for Godot. He was also a stage actor, who performed in a number of musicals, dramas, and comedies in London’s West End theater district. He died on 16 September 2009, aged 83.

Timothy voiced Kreacher, the male house-elf who served the House of Black and later Harry Potter.

11. David Ryall

Films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Portrayed: Elphias Doge

David Ryall was an English film, TV, and stage actor who is well known for his role as Billy Buzzle in the ITV sitcom, Bless Me. He died on 25 December 2014, aged 79.

He appeared in the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as Elphias Doge and replaced Peter Cartwright who originally held that role in the fifth film.

10. Roger Lloyd-Pack

Films: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Portrayed: Barty Crouch Senior

Roger Lloyd-Pack was an English actor best known for starring as Trigger in Only Fools and Horses from, Owen Newitt in The Vicar of Dibley, and John Lumic in Doctor Who. He died from pancreatic cancer on 15 January 2014, aged 69.

He played the role of Barty Crouch Senior, the father of Bartemius Crouch Junior, and an influential wizard in the British Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

9. Robert Knox

Films: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Portrayed: Marcus Belby

Robert Knox was an English actor who, at just 18 years old, was fatally stabbed in South East London on 24 May 2008 by Karl Bishop outside a club. Bishop seriously injured four friends who were accompanying Robert Knox at the time, one left with permanent spine damage. Robert had intervened in a fight to defend his younger brother, Jamie

He was cast in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as Marcus Belby and was set to reprise this role in both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

8. Verne Troyer

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Portrayed: Griphook

Verne Jay Troyer was an American actor who was best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers film series. He died on April 21 2018 aged 49 and his death was ruled a suicide through alcohol poisoning.

He portrayed Griphook, a goblin who worked at Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

7. Dave Legeno

Films: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 & 2

Portrayed: Fenrir Greyback

David Legeno was a British actor and mixed martial artist. David Legeno died of heat-related health problems on 2 or 3 July 2014 after hiking in Death Valley, California, and may have been dead for three to four days before his body was discovered. 

He portrayed Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf bounty hunter notorious for his unrestrained ruthlessness and preference for attacking children. He was defeated by Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom during the Battle of Hogwarts.

6. Richard Griffiths

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix & The Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Portrayed: Vernon Dursley

Richard Griffiths was a well-renowned English actor whose illustrious career saw him become a recipient of a Tony Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and ultimately, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honor. He died on 28 March 2013 following complications from heart surgery.

He portrayed the abrasive and arrogant Vernon Dursley, the guardian and uncle of Harry Potter. His wife, Petunia Evans, was the sister of Harry Potter’s mother, Lily Evans. 

5. Robert Hardy

Films: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire & Order of the Phoenix

Portrayed: Cornelius Fudge

Timothy Sydney Robert Hardy was an English actor who is most famous for his role as Siegfried Farnon in the BBC TV series, All Creatures Great and Small, which earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. Robert Hardy died on 3 August 2017, aged 91.

He portrayed Cornelius Oswald Fudge, the Minister of Magic, for most of the film series until he resigned.

4. John Hurt

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 & 2

Portrayed: Garrick Ollivander

Sir John Vincent Hurt was one of the greatest British actors of all time, whose distinct voice earned him numerous credits for voice acting. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and knighted by Queen Elizabeth on 17 July 2015. John Hurt died on 25 January 2017, three days after his 77th birthday, after succumbing to a long battle against pancreatic cancer.

He portrayed Garrick Ollivander, the owner of Ollivanders and a half-blood wizard who was considered the best wandmaker in the world.

3. Helen McCrory

Films: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 & 2

Portrayed: Narcissa Malfoy

Helen Elizabeth McCrory was an English actress who was best known for her role as Polly Gray in the British crime TV series, Peaky Blinders. Her illustrious career saw her receive the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honors. She died of breast cancer on 16 April 2021, aged 52.

She portrayed Narcissa Malfoy, the mother of antagonist Draco Malfoy and wife of Lucius Malfoy. Furthermore, she was also the younger sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Andromeda Tonks.

2. Richard Harris

Films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets

Portrayed: Professor Albus Dumbledore

Only true Harry Potter fans know that Professor Dumbledore was portrayed by two different actors, Michael Gambon and Richard Harris. Michael Gambon was sensational as the greatest wizard of all time, but Richard Harris was the man who made us all fall in love with the Hogwarts headmaster due to his kind, wise and perceptible portrayal of the character. 

He died on 25 October 2002, aged 72 after he succumbed to Hodgkin’s disease. His role as King Arthur in the 1967 film Camelot saw him earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He is widely regarded as one of the best Irish actors of all time.

1. Alan Rickman

Films: All Harry Potter Films

Portrayed: Professor Severus Snape

The great Alan Rickman is the only actor on this list who appeared in all eight films. Known for portraying villains such as Hans Gruber in Die Hard and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, his most iconic role to date is arguably that of the cynical Professor Severus Snape, the self-declared half-blood prince.

Snape is one of the most complex and well-written characters in the series due to the many layers he possesses. Successfully bringing such a character from the books to life could only be done by a man as talented and nuanced as Alan Rickman. His death caused by terminal cancer on 14 January 2016 at the age of 69 was so impactful to the world, and we will always remember the man who made us understand what true unconditional love really means.