Harry Potter fans heartbroken by most tragic deaths in 'cursed' franchise's history

Fans of Harry Potter are all too aware of the alleged “curse” said to have struck cast members of the iconic movie franchise.

Notable losses include acting legend Alan Rickman (69 when he died), the unforgettable Dame Maggie Smith (89), still-relatively young Paul Ritter (54), iconic Robbie Coltrane (72), the talented Sir John Hurt (77), and revered Sir Michael Gambon (82).

So far it seems like many actors and actresses have died – generally regarded as 28 in total for recognisable speaking parts – and not all of them were old when they died. One was still a teenager when his life was tragically taken.

Given this history of passing away – sometimes during production and also shortly before release – the cast of the new Harry Potter 8-episode series also called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone might be forgiven for sparing a thought to the sad end met by several of their Harry Potter predecessors.

Harry Potter films have lost 28 cast members so far, it is generally accepted (Getty)

Perhaps they are comforted by the thought that original cast member Warwick Davis is willing to venture into the franchise once again.

Here we break down what many fans consider the most heartbreaking, too-soon or downright strange deaths to have struck down cast-members.

Dave Legeno was a professional cage fighter (Getty)

Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback)

Legeno appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – as the brutal werewolf that thrilled audiences. The actor had to endure hours of makeup and prosthetics each day of his stand-out performance in order to become the feral ally of Lord Voldemort’s army of Death Eaters.

His life outside the Harry Potter movies were even more edgy - was a pro-MMA fighter, wrestler, debt collector and a nightclub bouncer. However, he had a softer side. He was the father of a daughter, Wendy and was said to have had a love of poetry, literature and outdoor pursuits.

Tragically it was this love for the outdoors that led to his death. Legeno was a man who was proud of his physical prowess and was a confident and experienced hiker. He decided to solo-explore California’s Death Valley in July 2014 – where temperatures reach up to 48C. His body, which had been lifeless for several days according to investigators, was found on July 6^th by two hikers in a remote location. Police stated at the time that there was no reason to suspect foul play.

Verne Troyer died tragically by his own hand, ruled a coroner

Verne Troyer (Griphook / Gringotts Goblin)

Troyer played Gringotts Goblin who fans will remember escorted Harry Potter to Harry’s inheritance at Vault 687 and Vault 713, which housed the coveted Philosopher’s Stone, in Harry Potter and the Philosophers’ Stone. Verne provided the physical performance for his character, working with the acting legend Warwick Davis who provided the voice work.

Born in Michigan, USA, Troyer was born with a form of dwarfism that left him standing 2 feet 8 inches tall. However, he did not let the condition hold him back and he shot to fame playing the unforgettable Mini-Me character in the Austin Powers film franchise. He loved sport, video games and interacting with his loyal international fanbase. However, he struggled with depression and alcoholism, which left him needing treatment.

In April 2018, Troyer was taken from his LA home to hospital by ambulance workers who found him in an anxious and intoxicated state, stating he “wanted to die”. He fought for three weeks in intensive care, before he died on April 21. The medical examiner ruling he had killed himself through alcohol poisoning.

He was 49 years old. Warwick would later step in to take on both the physical and voice work for Griphook.

Rob Knox's friends mourned his loss

Rob Knox (Marcus Belby)

Knox appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009. His character was one of the Ravenclaw students - however the teenager was selected for the “Slug Club” students known for their power and connections. His most famous scene, which he did not survive to see released in cinemas, delighted fans by showing him aggressively tucking into a bowl of ice cream while a horrified Snape and a chuckling Slughorn watched.

Kent-born Knox was described as popular in his school and was known as an enthusiastic sportsman, with a passion for acting from the tender age of 5. Before his work in Harry Potter, he had already been on the police television show The Bill as well as Tonight with Trevor McDonald. He was known to be very close with his younger brother Jamie.

In May 2008, Knox was at a bar in Sidcup, southeast London, when a man called Karl Bishop entered. Bishop began threatening Jamie over an argument the previous week, while armed with two kitchen knives. Knox stepped in to protect his brother, placing his body in front of him. Knox was stabbed five times and despite being quickly taken to hospital by the end of the night he was dead. Bishop was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a foundation was established in Knox’s name.

Richard Harris played one of the most beloved characters in the franchise (Getty)

Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore)

Veteran Irish actor Harris played the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 and Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets in 2002. In a magical anecdote, he insisted he turned down the role three times before his granddaughter threatened to “never speak to him again”, unless he finally agreed to take up the offer. Fans are glad he did – he is regarded to have perfectly captured the warm grandfatherly figure always ready with words of wisdom delivered with a friendly twinkle in his eye.

Despite the respectable image many Harry Potter fans will have of Harris, in his younger days he was known as a hellraiser who appeared in This Sporting Life, The Field and he played King Arthur in Camelot. Alongside fellow actors Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, he was known to indulge in drink and drug fuelled sessions until he cleaned up his act after nearly dying from a cocaine overdose and being warned off drink by medics.

In August 2002, Harris was sent to hospital with suspected pneumonia, however he turned out to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphatic cancer. He jokingly told producers he was simply suffering from “bad food”, however days later he fell into a coma and died shortly before the world premiere of The Chamber of Secrets.