Biographie

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.

Theater actors are just tolerated. You have to be a movie star to be a celebrity.

I live in fear of being a contented passenger. I'd rather get parts I can't play.

I just play him as myself, I don't ease myself into any role really. I stick a beard on and play me.

I'm an anorak. I've always been an obsessive collector of things. Richard Briers collects stamps. I collect cars and guns, which are much more expensive, and much more difficult to store.

I am a theatre actor, but the last ten years I've taken parts in movies because it keeps me in money.