Warner Bros. Drawing on his connection to J.K. Rowling, Gambon also appeared in the TV miniseries based on her novel of the same name, The Casual Vacancy. The Leaky Cauldron's chief barkeep Tom went through a sizable transformation between his first appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and his return for another Diagon Alley moment in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. From the moment Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone began production, fans were eager to see how the filmmakers would bring Hogwarts and its characters to life. When the "Fat Lady"that is the unfortunate nickname of the Victorian-era woman in the moving portrait that opens the door to the Gryffindor common roomfirst appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, it was the celebrated actress Elizabeth Spriggs who portrayed her. Azad continued to play Padma for the rest of the franchise. Up until Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lavender was played byan uncredited actress, since she was in the background with some of the other Gryffindor students. . Harry Potter actor Sam Beazley has sadly died at the age of 101. The classically trained actress, who had worked with the RSC frequently was replaced three years later with comedian Dawn French, who added a more comic spin to the character. I too am sorry to hear of the passing of Elizabeth Spriggs. Elizabeth Spriggs (September 18, 1929 - July 2, 2008) portrayed Fat Lady in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the full sequence, Dumbledore (Michael . That incident alone was enough to lose him his prime position in the Potter world (though he was only sentenced to community service by the court), and the troubles would only continue for him. When he followed his father Brendan Gleeson into work on the movie as "Mad-Eye" Moody, however, he was asked to work as a stand-in since he looked like the Weasley siblings, and he was later invited to come back and audition for the role of the eldest brother. Elizabeth Spriggs was born on September 18, 1929 in Buxton, Derbyshire, England as Elizabeth Jean Williams. In he Chamber of Secrets she was played by Kathleen Cauley, who was then replaced by Jennifer Smith in the Prisoner of Azkaban. During an interview with the Leaky Cauldron fan site, he said: "After Azkaban I had a talk with a few of the Assistant Directors over a couple of months and after they learned I was keen to return to hopefully make Bill have a larger presence, they confirmed that they were interested in re-hiring me for the job.". RELATED: Harry Potter Cast's Cursed Child Absence Sets Up An Even Bigger Return Although some fans criticized Gambon's depiction of Dumbledore, particularly in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he continued on in the part for the remainder of the series, which has come to define his career as a performer. From tragic deaths to behind-the-scenes drama, some actors had to be replaced during the course of making the movies. The part would eventually go to Michael Gambon, who starred in all six of the films to follow, but he wasn't the first major British star who was invited to don the heaping wig and decadent cloaks. Shefali Chowdhury took over as Parvati and continued to play her for the next four films. Elizabeth Jean Spriggs (18 September 1929 - 2 July 2008) was an English character actress. Elizabeth Spriggs. Tim Whitby/BFC/Getty Images. Few people can think of Voldemort now without imagining Fiennes portrayal of the Dark Lord and the dramatic flair he brought to the character. The actor was later arrested again in 2012 for participating in a riot, and this time, he faced jail time. Dia menempuh . For her performance in the film, she was nominated for a BAFTA Award, but lost out to co-star Kate Winslet. He explained on BBC's HARDtalk: "When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say in what part. Several actors have appeared in the role of Lavender Brown across the film franchise - leading to some controversy. Elizabeth Spriggs - Harry Potter Wiki - Elizabeth Spriggs was an Olivier Award-winning and BAFTA Award-nominated English actress who portrayed the Fat Lady in the film adaptation of Harry Potter . The young actor played Draco Malfoy's crony Vincent Crabbe, who was always seen alongside his double act partner Gregory Goyle. The first four books are much lighter in tone, since Lord Voldemort had not yet regained a corporeal form. Upon receivingthe weekly password, she lets students into their house, although usually somewhat reluctantly. Since he was a new character and didn't have any lines, the casting director for the films was able tobring on a background actor. The Grey Lady was Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter Helena, who had given Tom Riddle access to her mother's diadem so that it could be made into one of his horcruxes. Fans have to look pretty closely to spot Bill Weasleys real first appearance in the Harry Potter films, but in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, there is a photo of the Weasleys which includes Bill standing next to his fiery-haired family during a trip to Egypt. But the role is now being played by Ralph Fiennes, who is an old mate, in the fourth film," he later explained (via Digital Spy). The Fat Lady got much more screen time in the Prisoner of Azkaban and was fundamental to the plot as she witnessed Sirius Black enter Hogwarts. On the opposing end are those who say that the Harry Potter books are evil books designed to promote an interest in the occult, since Harry Potter, the hero of the series, is a wizard. Biographical information In 1978, Spriggs won the Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress for Arnold Wesker's Love Letters on Blue Paper,[7] playing the wife of a dying trade union leader who recalls their early life together (a part she first played on BBC television in 1976). In the Harry Potter books, the Fat Lady is a sassy, benevolent character whose painting guards the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. When Voldermort finally returned to his full power in the fourth film he was played by Schindler's List actor Fiennes. Although its unclear whether Deadman chose to step away from the role, incoming director Alfonso Cuaron did want to darken up the atmosphere in Azkaban and even instructed Tavare to play the role like Igor from Young Frankenstein, which may mean that Deadmans chipper persona was no longer a good fit. My favourite performance from her was as Mrs Jennings in Sense and Sensibility - wonderful acting and my favourite ever film. For what it's worth, that wasn't the last time the Harry Potter franchise would be accused of under-representing people of color. In 1978, she won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for Arnold Wesker 's Love Letters on Blue Paper. A number of major roles were recast during the course of the eight Harry Potter movies, including Professor Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort, due to tragic deaths and behind-the-scenes drama. The list below is sorted by film and the character's surname, as some characters have been portrayed by multiple actors. Come Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the role of Katie Bell was recast and given to Georgina Leonidas, who played the part for the next two films as well. In the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the character took on a much bigger role, and was played by comedian and Vicar of Dibley Actress Dawn French. Richard Bremmer did what he could with the abbreviated role, but wasnt surprised when he wasnt invited back for the characters next major movie outing in the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by which time the Dark Lords power reached its peak (and so did the phenomenon of the franchise). Tavare's performance is comedic gold, but is completely different from the character seen in the books. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Elizabeth Riggs was the portrait on the door to the Gryffindor Common Room, who asks Professor McGonagall the password. Unfortunately, Harris died after the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and the role was then given to Michael Gambon. Although there are still plenty of Harry Potter fans who prefer Richard Harris depiction of the Hogwarts headmaster, the role was recast ahead of the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, after the two-time Oscar winner passed away in 2002 from Hodgkins disease. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Her first marriage at 21 was a disaster and, in what she called "the most painful decision of my life", left her husband and young daughter to pursue her acting dream. Among her many other plays for the National were Volpone with Paul Scofield, The Country Wife and Macbeth with Albert Finney. Sadly, the actor died aged 49 in Los Angeles in 2018 of suicide by alcohol poisoning. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. He was pictured holding a petrol bomb, though he was cleared of intending to destroy or damage property. As a portrait The Fat Lady's portrait The young actor, like many of his contemporaries in the series, was completely new to the world of film when he suited up as the Slytherin sycophant, but he gradually got more and more screen time throughout his six-film tenure and was convincing as the sniveling sidekick. Born September 18, 1929 Died July 2, 2008 (78) Add to list However, for various reasons there were some characters across the franchise who had to be recast. That wasn't the only scandal involving Lavender as the character was seen wearing Hufflepuff robes in the second movie instead of Gryffindor, an error which was corrected for the next movies. Richard Harris played Dumbledore for the first two films andgave us a much calmer, twinkly-eyed Dumbledore, like J.K. Rowling's description of him in the books. The casting of the Harry Potter films was limited to British thespiansa rule so strict it even forced producers to turn down Robin Williams for the role of Hagridbut Verne Troyer became the rare exception when he was cast as the Gringotts banker Griphook in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. She also hid behind a painting of a hippo in a neighbouring portrait when she got scared. Parvati played a larger role in this film, since she was Harry's date to the Yule Ball and they had to dance together to open the event. Elizabeth Spriggs - The Fat Lady (18 September 1929 - 2 July 2008) Spriggs was known for playing The Fat Lady, a living portrait that guards the Gryffindor common room, a role that was eventually handed over to comedian Dawn French. Height Spriggs tended to take more matronly roles, which didn't really fit with the Fat Lady's bubbly, sometimes drunken, and easily irritated, personality. The official cause of death was listed as a concoction of alcohol, tranquillizers, antiemetic drugs, and painkillers. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it was black actress Jennifer Smith who sported the Gryffindor characters robes. Years after the fact, Sir Ian McKellen revealed that he, too, had a shot at becoming Albus Dumbledore but turned it down. "I've been in the business a long time and it didn't surprise me they just went for a bigger name, being Hollywood led, and I'm happy to pass it on to Ralph." *Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Fandom will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Davis later explained his decision to seek out the role. 5' 6"[1] Source: Vimbuzz.com Related Posts Elizabeth Spriggs Daughter: Who Is Wendy Spriggs? As for Spriggs, the Royal Shakespeare Company actress went on to appear in Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Poirot. She died on July 2, 2008, aged 78 . Spriggs' roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company included Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, Gertrude in Hamlet and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Her final film, Is There Anybody There?, starring Michael Caine, has yet to be shown. Last but not least, we can't forget that even Lord Voldemort was recast at one point. Whatever the reason, the films only got better after Harry Potter and the Goblet of Firewhen David Yates took over as director. She was in Frederic Raphael's The Glittering Prizes (1976), starred as Eleanor Pressett in the BBC drama We, the Accused (1980), played Connie, the head of a battling South London family in the thirteen-part drama Fox (1980), was Martha in Tales Of The Unexpected (1980) and was the formidable Nan in the ITV comedy series Shine on Harvey Moon (198285). Everyone remembers Richard Harris' spellbinding portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. Jim Tavare played Tom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, greeting Harry as he arrives at the Leaky Cauldron andtaking him to see the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Actress who made her name with Peter Hall's RSC and excelled in television costume dramas. Fiennes was already an A-lister with Oscar nominations for Schindlers List and The English Patient by the time the first film came out, so its no surprise that the filmmakers didnt seek him out for that brief CGI appearance. RM 2JK9MPC - Tessa Humphries, Elizabeth Spriggs, Julianna Margulies, Anita Hegh, Jennifer Ehle Film: Paradise Road (1997) Characters: Celia Roberts,Mrs. He later explained on BBC'sHARDtalk,"When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say in what part. That incident alone was enough to lose him his prime position in the Potter world (though he was only sentenced to community service by the court), and the troubles would only continue for him. "I think she's incredibly funny and her Harry Potter spoof for Comic Relief was pretty amazing," he told the BBC of the decision to cast her. So, I went in and read for David Yates and the casting director, and gave them a best shot, David left a message that Id got the part.". Her best known television roles were in Shine on Harvey Moon (1982-85), Simon and the Witch (1987) and two episodes of Midsummer Murders (1999, 2005). "I think shes incredibly funny and her Harry Potter spoof for Comic Relief was pretty amazing," he told the BBC of the decision to cast her. Kelly Macdonald, who was tearing up the silver and small screens alike with her celebrated work in No Country for Old Men and Boardwalk Empire, stepped into the ghost's shoes to give them a little more gravitas in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. She played a small role in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Smith in the role of Azkaban, it was black actress Jennifer who! 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