<P> In the film adaptations of Philosopher 's Stone ( 2001 ) and Chamber of Secrets ( 2002 ) , Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris , who was expected to play Dumbledore throughout the series . Harris mentioned that he was originally not going to take the role , since he knew his own health was in decline . He accepted because his then - 11 - year - old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he did not take it . Harris was determined to portray Dumbledore again in Prisoner of Azkaban ( which was released in 2004 ) , despite having been diagnosed with Hodgkin 's lymphoma , and asked David Heyman not to recast the role . However , his death on 25 October 2002 necessitated recasting . </P>
<P> In the film adaptations of Philosopher 's Stone ( 2001 ) and Chamber of Secrets ( 2002 ) , Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris , who was expected to play Dumbledore throughout the series . Harris mentioned that he was originally not going to take the role , since he knew his own health was in decline . He accepted because his then - 11 - year - old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he did not take it . Harris was determined to portray Dumbledore again in Prisoner of Azkaban ( which was released in 2004 ) , despite having been diagnosed with Hodgkin 's lymphoma , and asked David Heyman not to recast the role . However , his death on 25 October 2002 necessitated recasting . </P>
when did the actor who played dumbledore die
when did the actor who played dumbledore die
25 October 2002
25 October 2002