Wissenswertes

During an appearance on the BBC program "Top Gear", Gambon took part in the show's regular "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment. He went around the final corner of the track on two wheels, and, in honor of the feat, the corner has henceforth been dubbed "Gambon" by the show's hosts.

He doesn't like being interviewed and he once said he lies during interviews to make them more interesting. When someone asked Gambon if he had problems with playing a gay man he replied by saying it was easy because he used to be a homosexual but was forced to quit because it made his eyes water.

On 8 February 2015 he announced that at the age of 74 he was retiring from stage acting because long-standing problems with his memory were making it increasingly difficult for him to remember his lines. For several years before that he had relied on an earpiece over which he could be prompted if he forgot his lines.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1990 Queen's New Year Honours List and made a Knight Bachelor in the 1998 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to drama.

Auditioned for the role of James Bond after George Lazenby left the series, but was turned down because they didn't want to hire another unknown.

Antique weapon enthusiast.

He has twice played two roles previously played by Richard Harris. The character of Jules Maigret, which Richard Harris played in a 1988 TV movie and secondly Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter Movies.

In 2002, was named the successor to the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.

In 2002 Gambon moved out of his marital home in Kent, England, to live with his now companion, Philippa Hart. The pair welcomed two sons: Michael in May 2007, and William in June 2009.

Holds a private pilot's license and flies his own plane regularly when not filming on location.

After going round the final corner of the "Top Gear" (BBC TV, Season 1, episode 8; 2002) test track on two wheels during their Star In A Reasonably Priced Car segment, the corner was named after him.

For years he used to carry around what he said was a signed photograph of Robert De Niro, claiming to have met him, though the two had never in fact met. In Der gute Hirte (2006), he is directed by DeNiro.

His first child, Fergus, was born to him and his wife in 1964.

Voted Best Supporting Actor for A Christmas Carol (2010) by readers of Doctor Who Magazine.

Was a great admirer of Peter O'Toole.

He played two Kings of England; King Edward VII in The Lost Prince (2003) and his son King George V in The King's Speech - Die Rede des Königs (2010). He also played the United States President Lyndon Johnson in Path to War - Entscheidung im Weißen Haus (2002).

He has appeared in three films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Insider (1999), Gosford Park (2001) and The King's Speech - Die Rede des Königs (2010). The latter won in the category.

He was nominated for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of the 1997 season for his performance in "Tom and Clem" at the Aldwych Theatre.

He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1986 (1985 season) for Best Comedy Performance for "A Chorus of Disapproval".

Admitted to being rather surly and volatile in his younger days.

In 2007, he was nominated for Best Actor at the ESB/Irish Times Theatre awards for his role in the stage adaptation of Samuel Beckett Eh Joe.

He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 (2000 season) for Best Actor for his performance in "The Caretaker" at the Comedy Theatre.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1997 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Skylight."

Friends with Maggie Smith.

He was awarded the 1990 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in Man of the Moment.

Graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London, England.

He was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of 2002 for his performance in "A Number" at the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs.

He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1988 (1987 season) for Best Actor in a New Play for his performance in "A View from the Bridge".

He was awarded the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for Best Actor for his performance in The Caretaker at the Comedy Theatre and Cressida at the Albery Theatre.

He was awarded the 1995 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in Volpone.

Although he was born in Dublin, his parents moved to Kent when he was 6.

He was awarded the 1987 London Evening Standard Theate Award for Best Actor for his performance in A View from the Bridge.

An Associate Member of RADA.

He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1999 (1998 season) for Best Actor for his performance in "The Unexpected Man".

Has been in multiple movies with David Thewlis, Das Omen (2006) and the Harry Potter movies (Harry Potter und der Orden des Phönix (2007), Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz (2009), Harry Potter und die Heiligtümer des Todes - Teil 1 (2010) and Harry Potter und die Heiligtümer des Todes - Teil 2 (2011)).

After leaving school he became an apprentice engineer at Vickers Armstrong.

At the Royal National Theatre, London, performing in the production of William Shakespeares 'Henry the 4th' (parts 1 & 2). (Mai 2005)

He was considered for Caine, Dr.Armstong, Bukovsky, Roger Derebridge, Lamson and Kelly in Lifeforce - Die tödliche Bedrohung (1985).

At the Duke of York Theatre, London, performing in Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land", with David Walliams and David Bradley. (Dezember 2008)