The role of Dumbledore is currently played by Sir Michael Gambon. 
Gambon was born on 19 October 1940, in Dublin. His early acting career included theatre roles, and his film debut came in 1965, when he starred in Othello. Gambon's notable films include Gosford Park, Sleepy Hollow, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He will reprise his role as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which will be released in July 2007. 
Gambon began his role as Albus Dumbledore in 2004, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Gambon took over from Richard Harris, who died of Hodgkins disease on 25 October 2002. Harris died before the U.S. Premiere of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and before the release of the film in cinemas in November 2002.
