Key Moments
Michael Gambon | Full Q&A | Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
Sir Michael Gambon admits he struggled with lines, relying on an earpiece for stage acting and only took Harry Potter roles for the money, despite playing an iconic wizard.
Key Insights
Sir Michael Gambon only accepted the role of Dumbledore because he "jumped at it" after Richard Harris's death and admitted to initially copying Harris's portrayal.
He confessed to occasionally smoking with a 14-15 year old Daniel Radcliffe behind the set during Harry Potter filming.
Gambon relied on an electric earpiece, with lines fed to him from off-stage, to perform in stage plays due to his inability to remember lines, a condition he's had for "six or seven years."
He stated that he didn't do Harry Potter for J.K. Rowling's writing but "wanted the money," and similarly took the role in 'The Casual Vacancy' for financial reasons.
Gambon believes that the explosion of drama schools has led to too many actors being encouraged to pursue a profession that doesn't have enough work in "little England."
Regarding the casting of a black actress as Hermione Granger in the stage play, Gambon stated, "It doesn't matter what color you are, does it? It's nonsense, isn't it? It's so annoying that it's being judged by color."
Taking on Dumbledore and the shadow of Richard Harris
Sir Michael Gambon discussed his unexpected casting as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. He revealed that he "jumped at it" after the passing of Richard Harris, who had originated the role. Gambon admitted to having known Harris and initially attempted to mimic his predecessor's performance, stating, "I just copied him a bit and I turned up at the studios and did it." He humorously recounted a directorial request not to run up a staircase, which he ignored, leading to the director not speaking to him again. Gambon also mentioned that he never auditioned for roles, a stark contrast to the typical industry practice, with the notable exception of an audition for Sir Laurence Olivier, which ended with a minor injury but led to a three-and-a-half-year engagement.
The evolution of Dumbledore's portrayal
Gambon addressed the noticeable shift in Dumbledore's character from a wise, wispy elder to a more assertive figure under his portrayal. He attributed this not to a conscious decision but to the script "ringing bells in his head" and informing his interpretation. He also humorously recalled joking with J.K. Rowling about making Dumbledore gay, a detail Rowling had recently decided. While he didn't play Dumbledore as overtly gay, he found the idea amusing. He also revealed that the writers often developed the story as they went along, and he didn't know plot points like Snape's allegiance in advance. He found it humorous that he was killed off in the penultimate film, only to return as a ghost in the final one, an experience he described as his "best part."
On-set antics and the reality of long runs
The conversation touched upon practical jokes on set, with Gambon recalling a prank involving a fart machine placed in Daniel Radcliffe's sleeping bag to deter a girl Radcliffe had chosen to sleep next to. He also spoke about the profound boredom of long-term theatre runs, which he found nearly killed him. He described how actors often try to alleviate this boredom with "little elements of boredom" or "bits of paper, dirty words" slipped into performances, provided they don't detract from the audience's experience. This boredom, he explained, was a significant factor in his eventual decision to move away from theatre.
The challenge of remembering lines and embracing technology
Gambon candidly discussed his decision to stop performing in theatre due to his inability to remember lines, a struggle he's experienced for "six or seven years." He explained that scripts no longer retained in his memory, making stage acting impossible. To overcome this, he now uses an "electric earpiece" in films and television, with a person off-stage feeding him his lines. He noted that many American actors employ this technique, including Johnny Depp, who he claims has never learned lines. While this allows him to continue working in film and TV, he expressed deep sadness and misses theatre terribly, having performed in over 25 plays.
Career highlights and near misses
When asked about favorite roles, Gambon cited playing Galileo at the National Theatre as the hardest yet most rewarding part of his career, a role he felt was "for me." He also shared a story about being considered for James Bond in the early 1970s. He described an audition where Cubby Broccoli, the producer, explained he had been "stung" by an actor who was then sacked. Gambon declined the role, citing his lack of physical suitability, with his "double chin, a fat gut, and no hair." Ultimately, none of the actors auditioned that day got the part, and the role went to George Lazenby, who was later replaced.
Reflections on acting, fame, and the industry
Gambon expressed that he didn't pursue acting for J.K. Rowling's writing but primarily "for the money," a sentiment he extended to his role in 'The Casual Vacancy.' He believes financial considerations are paramount for most actors. He also touched on the increasing number of drama schools, suggesting there are "too many children being encouraged to try and do something that they could do better" and that the work available in "little England" is insufficient for the growing number of actors. He stated that he never encountered sexism in the theatre industry and was surprised by the suggestion that older women are cast less frequently than older men. He also found the debate around the casting of a black actress as Hermione Granger to be "nonsense" and irrelevant, asserting that an actor's performance should be judged on merit, not skin color.
The art of embodying a character
On his process for getting into a character, Gambon explained that it begins with thoroughly reading the script, allowing the character to "start growing in you." He emphasized the importance of immersion, internalizing the character's dialogue and the writer's intentions. He acknowledged that some roles are impossible to inhabit, but when a part truly resonates, like Winston Churchill, he finds a way through repetition and dedication. He also recounted a memorable experience playing Winston Churchill after a stroke, describing it as possibly the "best acting I've ever done," a role he initially feared he couldn't play. He admitted to exaggerating stories rather than outright lying, recounting a fabricated death of his mother to get out of early rehearsals for a non-speaking role at the Old Vic.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Michael Gambon took on the role of Dumbledore after Richard Harris passed away. He stated he didn't have to think twice about accepting the part and was happy to do it.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A historical figure Michael Gambon portrayed, considering it the best acting he's ever done.
A contemporary British actor mentioned as an example of privately educated talent.
An actor whose performance inspired Michael Gambon to pursue acting.
An influential mentor figure to Michael Gambon alongside Laurence Olivier.
A long-time colleague and friend of Michael Gambon, with whom he shared a memorable and humorous anecdote.
An actor who, according to Gambon, has never learned lines and uses an earpiece.
Writer of 'The Singing Detective', whose physical mannerisms Gambon emulated for his performance.
Character from Harry Potter, whose casting of a black actress in a stage production sparked debate.
An actor who played James Bond and was later replaced.
An actor discussed as a potential James Bond, whom Gambon believes would be brilliant.
The character Michael Gambon is most known for playing in the Harry Potter series.
Actor who previously played Dumbledore, whom Michael Gambon replaced after his death.
A contemporary British actor mentioned as an example of privately educated talent.
A playwright and director with whom Michael Gambon worked multiple times and considered a brilliant writer.
Author of the Harry Potter series, who informed Gambon that Dumbledore was gay.
Known for Top Gear, where Gambon had a segment named after him.
A contemporary British actor mentioned as an example of privately educated talent.
A great mentor to Michael Gambon, with whom he worked for three and a half years.
Co-star in Harry Potter with whom Gambon shared secrets and played pranks.
A producer associated with the James Bond films, who Gambon met during audition discussions.
Mentioned in comparison to fans of Harry Potter, with his fans being called 'Beliebers'.
A TV show where Michael Gambon had a segment named 'Gambon Corner'.
A film in which Michael Gambon played a ruthless gangster.
Film series where Michael Gambon played Albus Dumbledore.
A television play for which Michael Gambon received acclaim for his portrayal, drawing similarities to Dennis Potter.
A TV series Michael Gambon appeared in and expressed willingness to be considered for the lead role.
A role Michael Gambon was considered for but did not get due to his appearance.
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