![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/79\/590x\/secondary\/Sir-Michael-Gambon-once-claimed-he-was-too-fat-to-play-James-Bond-4983449.jpg?r=1695909289673\")
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Instead, the role went to Australian actor George Lazenby, who quit after filming.<\/p>\n
At the time of the interview, Michael insisted he had no regrets turning it down, as he geared up to play Winston Churchill in the 2016 movie Churchill’s Secret.<\/p>\n
The actor’s many other credits include his roles as French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and starring as Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective on the BBC.<\/p>\n
He began his career as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre in London and went on to star in multiple Shakespeare plays.<\/p>\n
In 1998, the actor was knighted for services to the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n
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Don’t Miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n One of his last movies was in 2018 film King Of Thieves, alongside Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent and Ray Winstone.<\/p>\n He retired from stage acting in 2015 after struggling to remember his lines in front of a live audience, but acted on-screen until 2019.<\/p>\n Michael’s wife announced the news of his death aged 82 on Thursday.<\/p>\n She said in a statement: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.<\/p>\n “Michael was 82. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”<\/p>\n Tributes have flooded in for Michael from the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Blake Harrison and Jared Harris.<\/p>\n The Grand Tour star wrote on X, previously known as Twitter: “I\u2019m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died.<\/p>\n “He was hugely amusing, and such a tremendous guest, we even named a corner after him.”<\/p>\n The presenter was referring to the time Michael drove a Suzuki Liana as part of the ‘reasonably priced car’ challenge on Top Gear and nearly flipped over at the last corner.<\/p>\n
Michael Gambon cause of death as Harry Potter star dies aged 82[DEATH CAUSE] <\/strong>
Inside Michael Gambon\u2019s life with Antiques Roadshow star son and younger partner[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Jeremy Clarkson leads tributes to Sir Michael Gambon as actor dies aged 82[TRIBUTES] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/79\/590x\/secondary\/George-Lazenby-played-James-Bond-in-On-Her-Majesty-s-Secret-Service-4983445.jpg?r=1695909289727\")
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