Congratulations to Michael Gambon who, it has been announced, will be awarded with the BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) Richard Harris Award for contributions to British cinema during the course of his career, reports the Telegraph.
Of course, Gambon more than deserves this accolade. At the age of 72, he has a career spanning 50 years, has won countless awards for his roles on stage and on screen and, most importantly, he has a track corner named after him on Top Gear. However, despite the innumerable honours that he has amassed over the years, it seems his role as Dumbledore in the final six of the eight Harry Potter movies is what has set him up for the Richard Harris Award.
Richard Harris was the original Dumbledore, and after his death in 2002, the Richard Harris Award was set up in his name. Since 2003 when the first award was given to John Hurt, 6 of the 10 recipients have been cast members in the Harry Potter films. John Hurt played wand maker Mr Ollivander, 2006's winner Jim Broadbent appeared as Horace Slughorn, in 2008 David Thewlis won who played the werewolf Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin, in 2010 Bellatrix Lestrange's actress Helena Bonham Carter received the award, and last year Voldemort himself, Ralph Fiennes accepted the prize. Framing the last ten years by two Dumbledores are the award's namesake, and of course this year's winner Michael Gambon.
While there may be some nepotistic action going on behind the scenes here, in fact it seems testament to what a great legacy the Harry Potter movies have made for themselves, and what a wonderful cast and impact they've had for the British Film industry.
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