Originally published at: Michael Gambon — Harry Potter's Prof. Dumbledore — has died at 82 | Boing Boing
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another of his biggest roles as the psoriasis-ridden sleuth in the 1980s hit series “The Singing Detective.”
That’s the role I’ll remember him for. Dennis Potter gave him an incredible script and he just ran with it.
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Aye, as far as Potters are concerned: his association with Harry is certainly well-known, but his work with Dennis is the stuff that’s really worth seeking out.
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I loved him in the Doctor Who version of “ A Christmas Carol”—will have to revisit that one this holiday season.
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Top Gear named a corner of their test track for him, after he put their “Reasonably Priced Car” in the air cutting that corner.
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He played a decent Maigret, too.
Looking through his IMDB history, it appears he was in a Russell Hoban story, Turtle Diary along with Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley. I should check that one out.
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Not to forget his central role in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover as well.
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Old TopGear named a turn on their test track after him after his famous “Star in a reasonably priced car” session.
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The Singing Detective is the weirdest and greatest TV ever.
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… he plays a terminally ill nature photographer on the arctic horror series Fortitude
It may be a coincidence that Gambon is in the first season and that the other two aren’t very good, but then again it may not be 
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Now you’ve fired my interest. I’ve only read one Russell Hoban book - Riddley Walker - and it blew my mind. Turtle Diary doesn’t sound anything like that, but I trust any author who can make Riddley Walker work.
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I don’t think there will be much similarity, where Turtle Diary is described as a comedy/romance. But yes, he was a talented writer (though Harold Pinter adapted it), and I’m gonna try to stream it in a couple of days.
Not even one Frances the Badger story, or The Mouse and His Child?
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That’s a new one too!
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Don’t forget his brief stint as a race car driver.
It may have been a short-lived career, but storied enough to have a corner named after him.
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I actually saw that when it came out
I vaguely remember it was a sort of offbeat anti-romance where the two people who are supposed to get together never do, but it’s fine because everybody likes turtles 
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… oh so you have seen it 
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He’s delightful in Layer Cake but as many have mentioned The Singing Detective is the standout role.
I never thought he was right for Dumbledore, especially after kindly old Harris. Gambon had a sense of controlled menace that was great in so many roles but not that one.
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