‘Harry Potter’ franchise actor passes away

A British actor who played in the famous ‘Harry Potter’ movies and starred in the TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ has passed away.

Robert Hardy, known for playing Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, on four of the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, died at the age of 91 on Thursday, according to a statement from his family.

“Gruff, elegant, twinkly, and always dignified… he is celebrated by all who knew him and loved him, and everyone who enjoyed his work,” the statement read.

‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling remembered the actor with a tweet on Thursday, writing, “So very sad to hear about Robert Hardy. He was such a talented actor and everybody who worked with him on Potter loved him.”

Hardy played in four Harry Potter films, beginning with ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ in 2002. He went on reprise the role in 2004’s ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’, 2005’s ‘Goblet of Fire’, and 2007’s ‘Order of the Phoenix’.

The actor’s television crowning achievement came in the role of Siegfried Farnon on ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, which ran in the UK between 1978 and 1990.

Critics also praised Hardy for portraying Winston Churchill several times throughout his career.

Hardy began his career in the UK as a stage actor, continuing to work as a dramatic actor throughout his career.

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