An actor who began his career in the theatre, Michael Gambon is best known for his screen presence and dramatic heft he brings to his roles. With his background, it’s no wonder that Gambon knew how to shine in supporting roles, American audiences knowing him best for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.  With his performances ranging from the Royal National Theatre to Broadway to film and television, Gambon was an immensely versatile actor. Below we celebrate a few of our favorite film performances of his:

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

British provocateur Peter Greenaway delights in creating nightmarish hellscapes of seemingly mundane locations. The back alley of the restaurant that Michael Gambon’s gangster owns is a visual and aural cacophony of filth where food and feces and other unsavory products of the flesh are in uncomfortable proximity to each other. While the inside of the restaurant may be an upgrade, its luxurious interior is too intensely so. Voices echo too much, as if to point out the artificiality of the veneer of class that the restaurant is striving for. And the voice that booms too much that ruins any appearance of sophistication is Michael Gambon’s.

Greenaway pulled out all the stops to create a sensual yet insidious atmosphere, but Gambon manages to get to what Greenaway was striving to achieve in just his performance. Gambon’s outstanding characteristic is the air of danger and depth that he can lend to any character. From obviously craven and lecherous ones like his gangster Albert Spica here to even the wizard Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, who manages to convince the viewers that he could have indeed been the feared warrior under the persona of a seemingly doddering old man. Here, there is no question that Spica will deliver on any threat of violence, which serves to make the romance between his wife (Helen Mirren) and her lover (Alan Howard) even more illicit and exciting. Greenaway has said that as despicable as he wanted Spica to be, he knew that Gambon was too charismatic an actor to achieve total repulsiveness, which is not to the film’s detriment. Gambon’s performance mirrors the film’s aesthetic, both repugnant yet enticing, cringing in disgust even as we can’t look away. – Eugene Kang

Gosford Park (2001)

Set in 1932, Gosford Park is a murder mystery that takes place at Sir William McCordle’s (Michael Gambon) country estate. He and his wife invite a motley crew of family and friends for a shooting party. Gosford Park is Robert Altman’s critique of the British class system between the world wars. He does this by focusing on servants and their discussions in light of the murder and through biting wit and dry humor. Gambon plays the role of McCordle with intention, the wealthy patriarch having a strong presence not only in his scenes, but also for his influence. The way that McCordle’s family and servants speak about him is akin to how Logan Roy is spoken about in Succession. As we come to learn more about McCordle and his transgressions (understatement), it becomes clear that Gambon brings more grace to his character than is deserving for the role. Perhaps that is commentary on how unashamed the wealthy can be when not facing consequences. Nonetheless, it allows for a nuanced performance from Gambon. – Alex Sitaras

Layer Cake (2004)

Michael Gambon was known for making stand-out supporting performances, and perhaps one of those lesser-noted roles that we should remember him for was as a wealthy gangster in the British independent film Layer Cake. The film follows Daniel Craig in an unnamed role as a successful drug dealer who plans to retire while still young but is given a task by his boss that is beyond his usual duties. Gambon has a handful of scenes but never displays the conventional characteristics of a crime lord like some actors might. Eddie Temple appears educated, and Gambon’s performance has charm and a subtle eccentricity, and this carries through into his delivery of the dialogue, creating some memorable lines, none more so than his description of the facts of life near the end of the film. Gambon’s performance in Layer Cake proves he could elevate any role or film. – Ian Floodgate

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Wes Anderson often works with ensemble casts in his films and directs eccentric films, so it would make sense that Michael Gambon would be part of one of his films. Based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name, Fantastic Mr Fox follows the life and family of an urbane fox who cannot resist his nature of raiding others’ property. Gambon voices one of the farmers who fall victim to Mr. Fox, and his distinct voice give the character of Franklin Bean a menacing magnetism that commands attention and respect from his fellow farmers. Gambon’s vocal versatility made him stand out, so much so it was inevitable his voice would feature in an animated film. – Ian Floodgate