British star David Ryall passed away on Thursday, Dec. 25 at the age of 79. The character actor is best known for his role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, in which he played Albus Dumbledore's close friend Elphias Doge.
Actor Mark Gatiss tweeted the news on Saturday, Dec. 27, writing, "The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP."
Ryall's daughter Charlie also tweeted about her father's passing, writing, "Thank you to @Markgatiss and everyone who sent kind words of love & encouragement about my Dad, the brilliant David Ryall."
Charlie wanted to make sure that David's lengthy career wasn't simply summed up by his role in the blockbuster Potter film, writing, "Please take a moment to remember his huge five-decade-spanning career outside of the more well-known TV & film. Not just Harry Potter. Not that I don't love Harry Potter. I do, I do. But there's so much more."
Ryall started his career in the mid-'60s with 149 film and TV acting credits to his name. Some of his credits include the 2012 film Quartet, 2004's Around the World in 80 Days, and 1994's Black Beauty. He also studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and appeared in Laurence Olivier's company at National Theatre from 1965-1973.
