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.
Running from 2001-2011, the Harry Potter films entertained and inspired an entire generation - as the upcoming HBO series will likely do for this current generation.
With the movies now being over two decades old, fans have been pained over the years to see the losses of many icons who starred in them - resulting in conspiracies over a 'curse' being discussed by Potter-heads, due to the volume of deaths we've sadly seen.
Notable losses include acting legend Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape, Dame Maggie Smith, who played Professor McGonogall, Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, and Sir Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore from the third film following the death of the original cast member, Richard Harris.
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Here, we break down what many fans consider the most heartbreaking, too-soon or downright strange deaths to have struck down cast-members of the film franchise.
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 by two hikers in a remote location. Police stated at the time that there was no reason to suspect foul play.
Verne Troyer (Griphook / Gringotts Goblin)
Troyer played the Gringotts Goblin in the first movie, who fans will remember escorted Harry to his inheritance at Vault 687 and Vault 713, which housed the coveted Philosopher’s Stone.
Born in Michigan, USA, Troyer was born with a form of dwarfism that left him standing at two 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.
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 at the age of 49. The medical examiner ruling he had died through alcohol poisoning.
Warwick Davies would later step in to take on both the physical and voice work for Griphook.
Rob Knox (Marcus Belby)
Knox appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009. His character was one of the Ravenclaw students who 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 age of five.
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 (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.
Topics: Harry Potter
Michael D. Carroll