'Harry Potter' stars pay tribute to 'magnificent' Dumbledore actor Sir Michael Gambon

MANILA, Philippines — Stars in the "Harry Potter" film franchise led in offering tributes for the passing of Irish actor Sir Michael Gambon, who played the iconic character of Professor Albus Dumbledore in six films.

Gambon passed away peacefully in a hospital last September 28 battling a bout of Pneumonia, several days shy of his 83rd birthday.

Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the titular character in the "Harry Potter" movies, called Gambon "one of the most brilliant, effortless actors" he ever worked with and that with his loss "the world just became considerably less fun."

"He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it. He was an incredible story and joke teller," Radcliffe described Gambon in a statement, adding that the late actor was such an entertaining person to do press junkets with.

Radcliffe noted that he got to be with Gambon a lot during the sixth film "Half-Blood Prince" where "he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be" and was grateful to have worked with him.

"You never took it seriously but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly," said Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson about Gambon in an Instagram story.

Another "Harry Potter" co-star Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley and rarely posts on social media, shared a tribute to Gambon in a brief Instagram post.

"He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life," Grint said.

Lucius Malfoy actor and also an infrequent social