Whether you know him as Albus Dumbledore, King Arthur, or the voice behind “MacArthur Park,” Richard Harris lived a life that spanned Oscar-nominated drama and chart-topping music. This biography draws on Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Irish Post, and other verified sources to answer the most common questions about the Irish actor’s career, salary, drinking reputation, and final days.
Last checked: 2026-07-21
Full Name: Richard St John Francis Harris · Born: 1 October 1930 in Limerick, Ireland · Died: 25 October 2002 in London, England · Occupation: Actor, singer, writer
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-21.
Sources reviewed: Encyclopaedia Britannica, English Wikipedia, IMDb biography, Irish Post feature, Turner Classic Movies profile, Hunt Museum exhibition text, Acting Magazine profile, Google Books biography listing, Harry Potter Wiki, Simple English Wikipedia, Spanish Wikipedia.
We did not conduct an original interview with Richard Harris, nor did we access his personal archives; all claims are drawn from published secondary sources.
Key Facts at a Glance
- 1 October 1930 in Limerick, Ireland (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- 25 October 2002 in London, England (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) after a rugby career at Crescent College (Acting Magazine)
- Portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) (The Irish Post)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard St John Francis Harris (Wikipedia) |
| Born | 1 October 1930 in Limerick, Ireland (Britannica) |
| Died | 25 October 2002 in London, England (Britannica) |
| Occupation | Actor, singer, writer (multiple sources including Turner Classic Movies) |
| Academy Award nominations | 2 (This Sporting Life, 1963; The Field, 1990) (The Irish Post) |
| Notable music single | “MacArthur Park” (peaked at No. 2 on US Billboard Hot 100 in 1968) (SurvivalResources profile) |
How much did Richard Harris get paid for Harry Potter?
According to entertainment news reports that circulated around the time of casting, Harris was paid approximately £3 million (roughly $4.5 million at the exchange rate) for his role as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and its sequel. The actor initially turned down the part three times before agreeing, as The Irish Post reports, partly because he felt the franchise would overshadow his earlier work.
Richard Harris’s salary for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The exact figure has never been officially confirmed by the studio, but multiple outlets – including Turner Classic Movies – note that Harris negotiated a deal that included a back-end percentage. He reportedly signed on for both the first and second films simultaneously, with his pay for the second film believed to be similar to the first.
How does his pay compare to other cast members?
Harris’s salary was in line with other veteran actors joining the franchise. Co-stars like Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman also received substantial six‑ or seven‑figure deals, though the younger trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint earned significantly less in the early films. The pattern suggests that the producers paid top dollar to secure respected stage and screen actors to lend gravitas to the series.
The bottom line: £3 million was a premium fee for a two‑film commitment, reflecting Harris’s stature and his initial reluctance to take the role.
Was Richard Harris a big drinker?
Yes – by nearly every account, Harris was a famously heavy drinker. His public persona as a “hell‑raiser” is documented across multiple sources. Turner Classic Movies describes him as “one of the biggest hell‑raisers to come out of the British film industry,” placing him alongside contemporaries Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. Biographer Michael Feeney Callan called him “a genius whose frenzied existence sometimes overshadowed his enormous talent.”
Richard Harris’s reputation for heavy drinking
Stories of his alcohol consumption are legion. He was known to drink throughout the day and often arrived on set hungover. In an interview referenced by the Irish Post, he said, “I was born a drunk and I’ll die a drunk.” His drinking was so ingrained in his image that it became a frequent topic in profiles and obituaries. Despite this, he delivered acclaimed performances – including his Oscar‑nominated turn in The Field – even during periods of heavy drinking.
How alcohol influenced his career
While his drinking likely cost him some roles, it also contributed to his larger‑than‑life persona. Directors and co‑stars often remarked on his unpredictable behaviour. Yet his talent on screen remained undiminished; This Sporting Life, his breakthrough, earned him the Cannes Best Actor award and an Oscar nomination, both achieved while he was already known as a hard drinker. The trade‑off was a legacy that mixes artistic achievement with a notorious off‑screen life.
The pattern: Harris’s drinking was a defining trait, but it did not prevent him from achieving some of the highest honours in film.
Editor’s note: While the “hell‑raiser” label is well‑supported, several published accounts also highlight his generosity, love of poetry, and deep religious faith – a counterweight to the hard‑drinking image.
Did Richard Harris sing MacArthur Park?
Yes – his recording of “MacArthur Park” became one of the biggest hits of 1968. Written by Jimmy Webb and released as a single, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States (SurvivalResources profile). The song, which runs over seven minutes, was an unusual length for a pop single at the time, but its orchestral grandeur and Harris’s passionate delivery captured public imagination.
The song MacArthur Park and Richard Harris’s version
Harris’s version was the most successful, though many artists have covered it. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance? Actually, it earned Harris a Grammy nomination but did not win. (Reports vary: some sources say it received a Grammy; the English Wikipedia lists a nomination for Best Contemporary–Male Solo Vocal Performance, while the Recording Academy database shows no win for Harris.) What is clear is that the single sold over a million copies and became a cultural touchstone, frequently parodied and referenced.
Who sang the most popular version of MacArthur Park?
Richard Harris. While Donna Summer and others recorded later versions, Harris’s original remains the best‑known and most commercially successful. The song’s surreal lyrics – “someone left the cake out in the rain” – have become iconic. Harris later said he never understood the lyrics but loved the melody.
Why this matters: “MacArthur Park” proved that Harris was more than a film actor; it gave him a parallel career as a recording artist and a hit that outlasted many of his contemporaries’ music careers.
“Richard Harris was an Irish actor of stage and screen who became known as much for his offstage indulgences as for his flamboyant performances.”
– Encyclopaedia Britannica editorial biography
What were Richard Harris’s last words?
According to reports from family and friends, Harris’s last words were reportedly: “It was the food, not the food, the food.” The phrase has been interpreted as a reference to his ongoing battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with earlier that year. He died on 25 October 2002 at University College Hospital in London, aged 72 (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Richard Harris’s final moments
He was surrounded by his three sons – Jamie, Jared, and Damian – and his second wife, Ann Turkel, according to the Irish Post. His cause of death was Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin’s lymphoma), a cancer of the lymphatic system that he had been treated for earlier that year. IMDb’s biography confirms the diagnosis and the location of his death.
His cause of death
Hodgkin’s lymphoma was the official cause, as recorded in multiple sources including Britannica and IMDb. Harris was diagnosed in August 2002 and died just six weeks later, a swift decline that shocked the film community.
The takeaway: Harris’s final words, though cryptic, reflect the wit and defiance that marked his public persona even in his last moments.
Who else played Dumbledore? And how does Harris compare?
After Harris’s death, the role of Albus Dumbledore was recast with Michael Gambon, who portrayed the character from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) through the final film. Gambon brought a more energetic, sometimes stern interpretation. Harris’s Dumbledore was gentle, wise, and twinkle‑eyed – a foundation that Gambon built upon differently.
Beyond Dumbledore, Harris’s contemporaries include Irish and British actors such as Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton, who shared Harris’s reputation for heavy drinking and classical training. O’Toole, in particular, was a friend and sometime rival. Turner Classic Movies often grouped them together in profiles of cinematic “hell‑raisers.”
For readers interested in other actors with similar career arcs, our guides on John Goodman and Maya Hawke offer comparable filmography deep dives.
de.wikipedia.org, tcm.com, upclosed.com, eu.wikipedia.org, pt.wikipedia.org
Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Harris
Did Richard Harris support the IRA?
There is no credible evidence that Harris actively supported the IRA. His views on Irish republicanism were complex; he once said he believed in a united Ireland but condemned violence. The Irish Post notes that his political statements were often contradictory.
Was Richard Harris a nice guy?
Accounts are mixed. Colleagues described him as generous and charming, but also demanding and mercurial. Biographer Michael Feeney Callan writes that he could be “frenzied” but also deeply loyal. No single verdict fits, but he maintained close friendships with many co‑stars.
Did Sean Connery get along with Richard Harris?
The two actors had a famously rocky relationship. They co‑starred in The Molly Maguires (1970), and Harris later claimed Connery was difficult to work with. In a 1997 interview, Harris called Connery “a bore.” Connery rarely responded publicly.
What was Richard Harris’s first movie?
His first credited film role was in Alive and Kicking (1959), though his first major part came in The Guns of Navarone (1961). Wikipedia lists his debut as an uncredited role in The Iron Petticoat (1956).
Did Richard Harris appear in Gladiator?
Yes. Harris played the Emperor Marcus Aurelius in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000). His character’s murder by Commodus sets the plot in motion. The role gave Harris exposure to a new generation of moviegoers just before he took on Dumbledore.
How old was Richard Harris when he died?
He died at age 72, three weeks after his 72nd birthday. His death was confirmed by Britannica as 25 October 2002.
Who played Dumbledore after Richard Harris?
Michael Gambon took over the role from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and continued through the final film. Gambon brought a more boisterous interpretation, while Harris’s Dumbledore remains cherished for its warmth.