After joining the National Theatre, under the Artistic Directorship of Sir Laurence Olivier, Gambon went on to appear in a number of leading roles in plays written by Alan Ayckbourn. His career was catapulted in 1980 when he took the lead role in John Dexter's production of "Galileo". Since then, Gambon has regularly appeared at the Royal National Theatre and the RSC. Roles include, King Lear, Othello, Mark Anthony and Volpone. He was described by the late Sir Ralph Richardson as being "The Great Gambon" and he is now considered to be one of the British theatre's leading lights. He was made a CBE in 1992.


Antique weapon enthusiast. Auditioned for the role of James Bond after George Lazenby left the series, but was turned down because they didn't want to hire another unknown. He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1986 (1985 season) for Best Comedy Performance for "A Chorus of Disapproval". He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 (2000 season) for Best Actor for his performance in "The Caretaker" at the Comedy Theatre. He was nominated for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of the 1997 season for his performance in "Tom and Clem" at the Aldwych Theatre. He was awarded the 1987 London Evening Standard Theate Award for Best Actor for his performance in A View from the Bridge. He was awarded the 1990 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in Man of the Moment. After going round the final corner of the "Top Gear" (BBC TV, Season 1, episode 8; 2002) test track on two wheels during their Star In A Reasonably Priced Car segment, the corner was named after him. Was nominated for Broadway's 1997 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Skylight." He has twice played two roles previously played by Richard Harris. The character of Jules Maigret, which Richard Harris played in a 1988 TV movie and secondly Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter Movies. Holds a private pilot's license and flies his own plane regularly when not filming on location. In 2002 Gambon moved out of his marital home in Kent, England, to live with his now companion, Philippa Hart. The pair welcomed a son, Michael, in May 2007, and they are now expecting another baby for 2009. He doesn't like being interviewed and he once said he lies during interviews to make them more interesting. When someone asked Gambon if he had problems with playing a gay man he replied by saying it was easy because he used to be a homosexual but was forced to quit because it made his eyes water.