Richard Harris
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1930-10-01
    • Born Place: Limerick City, Munster, Ireland
  • Deathday:

    2002-10-25

  • Also Known As:

    Richard St. John Harris, ریچارد هریس

Richard Harris

Richard Harris (1930–2002) was an Irish actor, singer, and writer renowned for his powerful stage and screen performances. Born in Limerick, Ireland, he was the fifth of nine children. After contracting tuberculosis as a teenager, he turned to the arts, studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and joining Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop. He made his stage debut in 1956 in The Quare Fellow. His film career began with supporting roles in The Guns of Navarone (1961) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), but he gained international fame with his Oscar-nominated performance in This Sporting Life (1963), portraying a volatile rugby player. Harris's career spanned several decades, with notable roles in Camelot (1967), Cromwell (1970), and Unforgiven (1992). In the 1990s, he experienced a resurgence with acclaimed performances in The Field (1990), Patriot Games (1992), and Cry, the Beloved Country (1995). He is perhaps best remembered for portraying Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), his final film role. In addition to acting, Harris had a successful singing career, with his rendition of Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park” reaching the top ten in 1968. He also wrote poetry and published a collection titled I, In the Membership of My Days in 1973. Harris passed away on October 25, 2002, from Hodgkin’s disease. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in The Bahamas, where he owned a home. Harris's legacy endures through his memorable performances and contributions to the arts. Statues in his honor stand in Limerick and Kilkee, Ireland, and the Richard Harris International Film Festival continues to celebrate his impact on cinema.

Person History