20 Best Performances In The Wizarding World Franchise

12. Richard Harris - Albus Dumbledore

Harry Potter Voldemort
Warner Bros.

Irish acting legend Richard Harris only played Dumbledore for two films before his death, but he still made one hell of an impact and for many viewers he represents the definitive on-screen Albus Dumbledore.

Harris was excellent on-screen thanks to the understated charisma and infectious warmth he brought to the part, but he was also one of the actors who captured their book character the most. He was just as calm, wise and loveable as Dumbledore was in the source material and this really did feel exactly like how JK Rowling imagined Dumbledore.

Considering that Harris was actually well-known for being a bit of a wild man in real life, the fact that he captured Dumbledore's quiet nature so well seems even more impressive.

It's unfortunate we weren't able to see more of him (that is the reason why this performance isn't higher) but he still did the character proud and was a highlight of the first two Harry Potter films.

Contributor

Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.