Richard Harris

Richard St John Francis Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) was an accomplished Irish actor and singer. After studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Harris quickly achieved fame as a key figure of the British New Wave. Throughout his extensive career, he received multiple accolades, including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, and a Grammy Award. Harris was praised for his roles in numerous films such as 'This Sporting Life (1963)', 'The Field (1990)', and the first two Harry Potter films, where he played Albus Dumbledore. Harris initially hesitated accepting this role due to his declining health, but ultimately agreed after his 11-year-old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he turned it down. Additionally, Harris also had a successful singing career. He recorded several albums of music including the hit song 'MacArthur Park', which topped several music sales charts in Europe in 1968.

Aside from his career, Harris had notable personal achievements. He moved to England to become a director, opened the 'off-West End' Irving Theatre and staged his production of Clifford Odets's play 'Winter Journey (The Country Girl)'. He successfully kicked his drinking habit while semi-retired in Paradise Island in the Bahamas. However, Harris was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in 2002 and passed away the same year in University College Hospital in London.