View source for Albus Dumbledore

{{Short description|Fictional character from Harry Potter}}
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{{Other uses|Dumbledor (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Albus Dumbledore
| series = [[Harry Potter]]
| image = Dumbledore - Prisoner of Azkaban.jpg
| caption = Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore{{efn|''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' (2004)}}
| first = ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' (1997)
| last = ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' (2007)
| creator = [[J. K. Rowling]]
| portrayer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Richard Harris]]{{efn|''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Philosopher's Stone]]''{{nbsp}}<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Chamber of Secrets]]''}}
* [[Michael Gambon]]{{efn|''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Prisoner of Azkaban]]''<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Goblet of Fire]]''<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Order of the Phoenix]]''<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Half-Blood Prince]]''<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1|Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]''<br>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''}}
* [[Jude Law]]{{efn|''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald]]''{{nbsp}}{{nbsp}}<br>''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore]]''}}
* [[Toby Regbo]]{{efn|''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1|Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]'' (young){{nbsp}}{{nbsp}}{{nbsp}}{{nbsp}}<br>''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald|The Crimes of Grindelwald]]'' (young)}}
* [[John Lithgow]]{{efn|Upcoming television adaptation}}
}}
| full_name = Albus Percival Wulfric<br>Brian Dumbledore<ref name=Hirsch2008 >{{cite book|last=Hirsch|first=Anne-Christin|year=2008|title=Names and Their Underlying Mythology in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter-Novels|publisher=GRIN Verlag|location=Munich, Germany|isbn=978-3-640-16412-7|page=7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VUBIjqA9KsUC}}</ref>
| nationality = British
| occupation = Headmaster of [[Hogwarts]]
Professor of Hogwarts
| family = {{idp|
* Percival Dumbledore (father)
* Kendra Dumbledore (mother)
* [[Aberforth Dumbledore]] (brother)
* Ariana Dumbledore (sister)
* Aurelius Dumbledore (nephew)
}}
| data1 = 
| lbl21 = House
| data21 = [[Gryffindor]]
| lbl22 = Born
| data22 = 1881<ref name= "age">{{cite web |author=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Wizard of the Month Archive |url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/wotm.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331191355/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/wotm.cfm |archive-date=31 March 2008 |website=J. K. Rowling Official Site}}</ref>
| lbl23 = Died
| data23 = 30 June 1997
}}
'''Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore''' <!--Please do not add his birthdate here. For more information, see Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Writing about fiction. --> is a fictional character in the  ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series of novels by [[J. K. Rowling]]. For most of the series, he is the headmaster of the [[Magic in Harry Potter|wizarding]] school [[Hogwarts]]. He is also the founder and leader of the [[Order of the Phoenix (fictional organization)|Order of the Phoenix]], an organisation dedicated to fighting the Dark wizard [[Lord Voldemort]].

Dumbledore is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential wizards of his time. Renowned for his wisdom, kindness, and formidable magical abilities, he plays a crucial role in shaping the events of the wizarding world. As a mentor to Harry Potter, he provides guidance and crucial knowledge in the fight against Voldemort. Despite his benevolent image, Dumbledore's past is marked by tragedy and complexity, including his youthful association with Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard he later defeated. His philosophical views on power, love, and death are central themes in the series.<ref>Rowling, J. K. (2007). ''J.K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall Reveals Dumbledore is Gay; Neville Marries Hannah Abbott, and Much More''. The Leaky Cauldron. </ref> 

Dumbledore is portrayed by [[Richard Harris]] in the film adaptations of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' (2001) and ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' (2002). Following Harris's death in October 2002, [[Michael Gambon]] was cast in the role. He plays Dumbledore in six ''Harry Potter'' films, which were released from 2004 to 2011. [[Jude Law]] portrays a middle-aged version of the character in the prequel films ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald]]'' (2018) and ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore]]'' (2022).<ref name="JudeLawCast">{{cite magazine | last = Kroll | first = Justin | url = https://variety.com/2017/film/news/jude-law-dunbledore-fantastic-beasts-sequel-1202029157/ | title = Jude Law to Play Young Dumbledore in 'Fantastic Beasts' Sequel (EXCLUSIVE) | date = 12 April 2017 | magazine = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|location=Los Angeles, California|access-date = 12 April 2017}}</ref> [[John Lithgow]] is set to portray him in the upcoming [[HBO]] series [[Harry Potter (TV series)|''Harry Potter'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Northrup |first=Ryan |date=2025-02-25 |title=John Lithgow Confirms Casting As Dumbledore In HBO's Harry Potter: "This Is Going To Define The Last Chapter Of My Life" [Exclusive] |url=https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-show-john-lithgow-dumbledore-casting-confirmed/#:~:text=John%20Lithgow%20confirms%20that%20he,a%20new%20series%20on%20Max. |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

==Creation and development==
Rowling has described Dumbledore as "the epitome of goodness".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/08/jk-rowling-misses-dumbledore-most/311740/|title=Of Course J.K. Rowling Misses Dumbledore the Most|publisher=The Atlantic|date=27 August 2013|access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref> She said that he speaks for her, as he "knows pretty much everything" about the [[Harry Potter universe|''Harry Potter'' universe]].<ref name="chamberdvd">{{cite AV media|title=Chamber of Secrets DVD: Interview with Steve Kloves and J.K. Rowling|date=February 2003|type=DVD}}</ref> Rowling mentioned that Dumbledore regrets "that he has always had to be the one who knew, and who had the burden of knowing. And he would rather not know."<ref>{{cite episode|title=Living with Harry" - J. K. Rowling Interview|series=Christmas Special|station=BBC Radio4|date=10 December 2005}}</ref> As a mentor to the central character [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]], "Dumbledore is a very wise man who knows that Harry is going to have to learn a few hard lessons to prepare him for what may be coming in his life. He allows Harry to get into what he would not allow another pupil to do, and he also unwillingly permits Harry to confront things he'd rather protect him from."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msn.co.uk/liveevents/harrypotter/transcript/Default.asp?Ath=f|title=J.K. Rowling at the Royal Albert Hall|publisher=MSN.com|date=26 June 2003|access-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112072736/http://www.msn.co.uk/liveevents/harrypotter/transcript/Default.asp?Ath=f|archive-date=12 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 1999 interview, Rowling stated that she imagined Dumbledore "more as a [[John Gielgud]] type, you know, quite elderly and&nbsp;– and quite stately."<ref name="WBUR">{{cite episode|title=J. K. Rowling Interview|series=The Connection|station=WBUR Radio|date=12 October 1999}}</ref> During his time as a student, Dumbledore was in [[Gryffindor]] House.<ref>{{HP1ref}}, page 106<!--American page number--></ref> In a 2000 interview, Rowling said that Dumbledore "is a hundred and fifty" during the events of the novels,<ref>{{cite web |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |date=16 October 2000 |title=About the Books: transcript of J. K. Rowling's live interview on Scholastic.com |url=http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/books/author/interview2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015031832/http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/books/author/interview2.htm |archive-date=15 October 2009 |access-date=30 October 2007 |website=Scholastic}}</ref> as said also by the character [[Ron Weasley]] in [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|''Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milano-Firenze |first=Mo-Net s r l |title=Harry Potter e il principe mezzosangue (2009) |url=https://www.mymovies.it/film/2009/harrypotter6/frasi/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=mymovies.it}}</ref> However, she has stated on her website that he was born in 1881, which makes him either 115 or 116 at the time of his death.<ref name= "age" />

In 2007, Rowling was asked whether Dumbledore finds "true love". Rowling said that she always thought of Dumbledore as being [[homosexual]] and that he had fallen in love with the corrupt wizard [[Gellert Grindelwald]], which was Dumbledore's "great tragedy"; Rowling did not explicitly state whether Grindelwald returned his affections.<ref name="nydncarnegie">{{cite news|title=Rowling dubs Dumbledore of 'Harry Potter' books as gay|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/10/19/2007-10-19_rowling_dubs_dumbledore_of_harry_potter_.html|access-date=20 October 2007|location=New York City|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|date=19 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021091039/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/10/19/2007-10-19_rowling_dubs_dumbledore_of_harry_potter_.html|archive-date=21 October 2007 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="365carnegie">{{cite news|url=http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/10/102007potter.htm|title=J.K. Rowling outs Hogwarts character|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=20 October 2007|access-date=22 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021081806/http://365gay.com/Newscon07/10/102007potter.htm|archive-date=21 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2052004020071020|title=JK Rowling says wizard Dumbledore is gay|date=20 October 2007|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2 August 2008}}</ref> Rowling explains this further by elaborating on the motivations behind Dumbledore's flirtation with the idea of wizard domination of [[Muggle]]s: "He lost his moral compass completely when he fell in love and I think subsequently became very mistrustful of his own judgement in those matters so became quite [[asexuality|asexual]]. He led a celibate and a bookish life."<ref name="edinburgh">{{cite web|url=http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/1497|title=Minister of Magic|access-date=14 March 2008|last=Amini|first=Adeel|date=9 March 2008|publisher=Mugglenet.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311022116/http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/1497 |archive-date=11 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Etymology===
{{Wiktionary|dumbledore}}
The name "Dumbledore" is [[Borrowing (linguistics)|borrowed]] from a [[dialect]]al word from [[Hampshire]], [[Cornwall]], and elsewhere, chiefly for "[[bumblebee]]" (the first particle [[cognate|sharing origin]], and ancient {{wikt-lang|en|dor}} for "humming insect").<ref>{{Cite web |title='Dumbledore', 'Hippogriff', and 11 More Real Words from Harry Potter |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/harry-potter-words |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Merriam Webster |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | url         = https://www.etymonline.com/word/dumbledore
 | title       = Etymology of dumbledore
 | last        = Harper
 | first       = Douglas
 | website     = [[Online Etymology Dictionary]]
 | publisher   = Douglas Harper
 | access-date = 30 April 2025
}}</ref> Rowling chose the name because Dumbledore loves music, and she imagined him walking around and humming to himself frequently.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sexton |first1=Colleen A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gX2lAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA46 |title=J. K. Rowling |date=2007 |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |isbn=978-0-8225-7949-6 |page=46 |language=en}}</ref>

==Appearances in novels==

===''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''===
Dumbledore is introduced in the opening chapter of the first novel in the series, ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' (1997). Under cover of night, he brings the infant Harry Potter to the home of Harry's uncle and aunt, [[Dursley family|Vernon and Petunia Dursley]]. Harry's parents were killed by the Dark wizard [[Voldemort]], and Dumbledore hopes he will be safe with the Dursleys. He leaves Harry on the doorstep with a letter explaining the situation. When Harry arrives at Hogwarts ten years later, Dumbledore tells him about the [[Mirror of Erised]], a magical object that protects the [[Philosopher's stone (Harry Potter)|Philosopher's Stone]]. Dumbledore is summoned to the [[Ministry of Magic]] by a false message on the night when Harry, [[Ron Weasley]], [[Hermione Granger]], and Professor [[Quirinus Quirrell]] enter the dungeons to retrieve the Stone. He realises during the trip that he is needed at Hogwarts, and returns in time to rescue Harry from Quirrell and Voldemort.

===''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''===
Dumbledore returns in the second novel, ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' (1998). Through a magical diary, Harry sees a younger Dumbledore in a series of flashbacks. The diary once belonged to Tom Riddle, who eventually became Voldemort. In one flashback, Harry sees Dumbledore questioning Riddle about a series of attacks on Muggle-born students. In the present, a [[Basilisk (Harry Potter)|basilisk]] emerges from the [[Chamber of Secrets]] and begins attacking people in Hogwarts. Following the attacks, [[Lucius Malfoy]] convinces the governors of Hogwarts to suspend Dumbledore from his position as Headmaster. Dumbledore is reinstated when it is revealed that Lucius coerced the governors into suspending him.

===''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban''===
At the beginning of ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' (1999), Dumbledore is forced to accept the presence of [[Dementors]] at Hogwarts. The Dementors have been sent to protect the students from [[Sirius Black]], a supposed murderer who escaped from the wizard prison [[Azkaban]]. When Black breaches Hogwarts, Dumbledore closes every entrance to the school and grounds. After the Dementors cause Harry to fall off his broom during a [[Quidditch]] match, Dumbledore becomes angry and uses his wand to help Harry return safely to the ground. Later, Dumbledore suggests that Hermione use her [[Time-Turner]] to save Black and [[Buckbeak]] the [[hippogriff]] from execution.

===''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''===
In ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' (2000), Dumbledore brings the [[Triwizard Tournament]] to Hogwarts. He also serves as a judge throughout the event. After the final task of the tournament, Harry returns from an encounter with Voldemort. Professor [[Mad-Eye Moody]] escorts Harry into the castle, and Dumbledore becomes suspicious. He discovers that Moody is actually [[Barty Crouch Jr.]], and that the real Moody is being held prisoner by Crouch. Later, Dumbledore listens to Harry's account of Voldemort's return.

===''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''===
In the fifth novel in the series, ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2003), Dumbledore is removed from his position as Chief Warlock of the [[Wizengamot]], voted out of the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards, and is almost stripped of his Order of Merlin First Class due to his speeches regarding the return of Voldemort. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Magic attempts to discredit him and Harry, often through the ''[[Daily Prophet]]''. Dumbledore enrages [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] when he intercedes at a hearing to prevent Harry from being expelled from Hogwarts.

The Ministry passes Educational Decree Twenty-two, which allows Fudge to appoint [[Dolores Umbridge]] as the professor of [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]. Through her, Fudge gradually gains power over Hogwarts and Dumbledore, whom he fears is amassing an underage wizard army to overthrow the Ministry. Umbridge forbids students from practicing defensive spells in her class, which prompts Harry, Ron, and Hermione to form a secret practice group called [[Dumbledore's Army]]. When the Ministry discovers the group, Dumbledore shields his students from punishment by falsely claiming that it was his idea. He is removed from the position of headmaster for the second time.

When the [[Order of the Phoenix (fictional organisation)|Order of the Phoenix]] battles Voldemort's [[Death Eaters]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]], Dumbledore arrives to aid them. He subdues most of the Death Eaters and binds them with an Anti-Disapparition Jinx to prevent them from escaping. He then engages in a duel with Voldemort, who tries to possess Harry so Dumbledore will kill him. After this ruse fails, Voldemort is forced to flee with [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. Several Ministry officials witness the end of the battle, which leads to Dumbledore being reinstated as headmaster. Dumbledore explains to Harry that Voldemort chose Harry as his equal, and that either he or Voldemort must eventually kill the other.

===''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''===
In ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' (2005), Dumbledore brings Harry along as he attempts to persuade [[Horace Slughorn]] to rejoin the Hogwarts faculty. Harry notices that Dumbledore's right hand is shrivelled and blackened. During the school year, Dumbledore uses the [[Pensieve]] to teach Harry about Voldemort's life and his rise to power. In one of the Pensieve visions, Harry witnesses Dumbledore's first encounter with the young Tom Riddle. Dumbledore had known from the beginning that Riddle was dangerous, but believed that Hogwarts would change him.

Dumbledore and Harry learn that Voldemort created six [[Horcrux]]es to gain immortality, and that they must be destroyed before Voldemort can be killed. Harry repeatedly warns Dumbledore that [[Draco Malfoy]] is an agent of Voldemort, but Dumbledore refuses to take action against Draco. He tells Harry that he already knows more about what is happening than Harry does. Near the end of the novel, Dumbledore and Harry enter a cave in search of a Horcrux. Dumbledore drinks a potion inside the Horcrux's container and begins to scream in agony. When Harry attempts to retrieve some lake water for Dumbledore to drink, he is attacked by [[Inferius|Inferi]] that reside in the lake. They try to drown Harry, but Dumbledore rescues him.

Dumbledore and Harry arrive in the Hogwarts [[Magic in Harry Potter#Astronomy|Astronomy Tower]] with the Horcrux. Dumbledore asks Harry not to interfere in the events that are about to take place, and puts him in a body-binding curse. Immobilized, Harry is unable to intervene as Draco arrives and disarms Dumbledore. Several other Death Eaters then enter the tower and try to persuade Draco to kill Dumbledore. When Draco hesitates, [[Severus Snape]] appears and performs the killing curse on the headmaster. His funeral is attended by students, Hogwarts staff, members of the Ministry of Magic and others. He is entombed in a marble [[sarcophagus]] beside the Hogwarts lake.

===''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows''===
Details of Dumbledore's earlier life are revealed in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' (2007). The novel introduces his parents, Percival and Kendra Dumbledore, and his younger sister, Ariana (his younger brother, [[Aberforth Dumbledore|Aberforth]], is mentioned in previous books). At the age of six, Ariana was attacked by three Muggle boys who witnessed her performing magic. She was deeply traumatised and was never able to control her magic again. Enraged, Percival attacked the boys and was given a life sentence in Azkaban. Kendra subsequently moved the family to the village of [[Godric's Hollow]]. Around the time that Albus completed his education, Ariana accidentally killed their mother. Albus became the head of the family and remained in their house with Ariana while Aberforth finished school.
[[File:The Elder WandII.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|The Elder Wand prop used in the ''Harry Potter'' films]]
Soon afterward, Dumbledore befriended the young wizard [[Gellert Grindelwald]]. They dreamed of uniting the three [[Deathly Hallows (objects)|Deathly Hallows]] – the [[Elder Wand]], the [[Resurrection Stone (Harry Potter)|Resurrection Stone]] and the [[Cloak of Invisibility (Harry Potter)|Cloak of Invisibility]] – and creating a world in which wizards rule over Muggles. One day, an argument between Albus, Aberforth, and Grindelwald led to a duel that resulted in Ariana's death. For the rest of his life, Albus felt guilty, never certain whether it was his own curse or another's that killed his sister. He felt he could not be trusted with power and turned down the position of Minister for Magic multiple times, eventually returning to Hogwarts as a professor of [[Transfiguration (Harry Potter)|Transfiguration]]. Decades later, Dumbledore faced and defeated Grindelwald, who had become a [[Dark Arts (Harry Potter)|Dark]] wizard and had obtained the Elder Wand. Dumbledore now possessed not only the Elder Wand but also the Cloak of Invisibility, which he had borrowed from [[James Potter (character)|James Potter]] before his death. Dumbledore would eventually pass the cloak on to Harry.

The truth about Dumbledore's death is revealed to Harry through Snape's memories in the Pensieve. Harry learns that Dumbledore put on a cursed ring that held the Resurrection Stone, which he hoped would allow him to apologise to his sister and parents. The curse damaged his hand, and Snape told him he would die in about a year. Dumbledore then revealed to Snape that he knew about Draco's attempts to kill him. Since Dumbledore was close to death, he asked Snape to use the killing curse on him. This act of self-sacrifice would prevent Draco's soul from being damaged by committing murder, and would cause Voldemort to trust Snape completely.

Near the end of the novel, Harry is struck by Voldemort's killing curse. He finds himself in an ethereal realm with Dumbledore, who confesses many regrets from earlier in his life. He informs Harry that he can return to his body and face the Dark Lord again. Harry returns, kills Voldemort, then places the Elder Wand in Dumbledore's tomb. In the book's epilogue, it is revealed that Harry named his second son [[Albus Severus Potter]], after Dumbledore and Snape.

==Portrayal in media==
===Film===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=260
| image1 = Harris Dumbledore CoS.jpg
| image2 = Dumbledore - Prisoner of Azkaban.jpg
| image3 = Dumbledore - Fantastic Beasts 2.jpg
| footer = Dumbledore as portrayed in film. Clockwise from upper left: [[Richard Harris]], [[Michael Gambon]] and [[Jude Law]].
}}
In the film adaptations of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Philosopher's Stone]]'' (2001) and ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Chamber of Secrets]]'' (2002), Dumbledore is portrayed by [[Richard Harris]], who was expected to play the character throughout the series. Before Harris was cast, [[Patrick McGoohan]] reportedly had an interest in the role, but could not commit due to health issues. [[Sean Connery]] was approached, but declined due to the film's subject matter.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=1 January 2020 |title=Harry Potter: The Actors Who Almost Played Dumbledore |url=https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-dumbledore-actors-mcgoohan-connery-lee-mckellen/ |access-date=2 August 2024 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref> Harris turned down the role three times but eventually accepted it because his 11-year-old granddaughter threatened to never speak to him again if he did not take it.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 14, 2001 |title=Richard Harris turned down Harry Potter three times |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/sep/14/harrypotter.news |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> Harris was determined to portray Dumbledore again in ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' (2004), despite having been diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]], and asked [[David Heyman]] not to recast the role. However, his death in October 2002 necessitated recasting.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2362935.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021206102152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/2362935.stm|archive-date=6 December 2002|title=Actor Richard Harris dies|date=25 October 2002|work=[[BBC News]]|url-status=live|access-date=3 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="heymanew">{{cite magazine |last=Jensen |first=Jeff |date=4 November 2005 |title=''Potter'' movie producer reflects on the franchise |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/11/04/potter-movie-producer-reflects-franchise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014062259/https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,1123317_2,00.html |archive-date=14 October 2018 |access-date=10 October 2007 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

[[Christopher Lee]] was the producer's immediate choice for replacing Harris, but scheduling conflicts due to Lee's commitments as [[Saruman]] in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy]] and [[Count Dooku]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' prequels forced him to decline.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-dumbledore-actors-mcgoohan-connery-lee-mckellen/ |title=Harry Potter: The Actors Who Almost Played Dumbledore |date=1 January 2020|work=ScreenRant|access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> [[Ian McKellen]] was also offered the role, but he turned it down, having played the similar character [[Gandalf]] in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy]], as well as feeling it would have been inappropriate to take Harris's role, as Harris had called McKellen a "dreadful" actor.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael|last=Hinman |title=No Regrets For McKellen in Turning Down Harry Potter |website=[[Syfy|SyFy Portal]] |date=29 November 2007 |url=http://www.syfyportal.com/news424489.html |access-date=30 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201063405/http://www.syfyportal.com/news424489.html |archive-date=1 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Harris's family had expressed an interest in seeing [[Peter O'Toole]] being chosen as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2011/07/harry_potter_the_best_could-have_beens.html|title='Harry Potter': The best could-have beens...|last=Whitty|first=Stephen|date=15 July 2011|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref> Harry Robinson, who doubled for Harris in the first two films, and who also lent his voice in the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PlayStation video game)|first ''Harry Potter'' video game]], was also considered for the role of Dumbledore.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oxford Harry Potter actor who played Dumbledore's double has died|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/16189775.harry-potter-actor-played-dumbledores-double-died/|access-date=2021-09-29|website=Oxford Mail|date=27 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Four months after Harris's death, [[Michael Gambon]] was cast as his replacement.<ref name="newsround">{{cite news |date=21 February 2003 |title=Dumbledore and Sirius cast for Azkaban |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/tv_film/newsid_2788000/2788225.stm |access-date=10 October 2007 |work=CBBC Newsround}}</ref> Gambon adopted a slight Irish accent for the role.<ref name="castinterviews">{{cite video|year=2004|title=Head to Shrunken Head|medium=DVD|people=[[Johnny Vaughan|Vaughan, Johnny]]; [[Lenny Henry|Henry, Lenny]]|publisher=Warner Bros. Pictures}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=3&id=613682004|title=Olivier, Dumbledore and two broken ribs|access-date=30 November 2007|date=30 May 2004|first =Siobhan|last=Synnot|work=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref> He plays the character in all the remaining ''Harry Potter'' films.

In flashback scenes in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1|Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]'' and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Part 2]]'', a young Dumbledore is portrayed by [[Toby Regbo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/toby-regbo|title=Toby Regbo|last=Martin|first=Michael|date=12 October 2010|magazine=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]}}</ref> In the prequel films ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald]]'' (2018) and ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore]]'' (2022), Dumbledore is played by [[Jude Law]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ashley|last=Lee|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/fantastic-beasts-sequel-jude-law-play-young-dumbledore-993196|title=Jude Law to Play Young Dumbledore in 'Fantastic Beasts' Sequel|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=12 April 2017|access-date=15 March 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 April 2017 |title=Jude Law cast as Albus Dumbledore in next Fantastic Beasts film |url=https://www.pottermore.com/news/jude-law-cast-as-albus-dumbledore-in-next-fantastic-beasts-film |access-date=15 March 2018 |work=Wizarding World |language=en}}</ref>

===Television===
Dumbledore is set to be portrayed by [[John Lithgow]] in the [[Harry Potter#Television|HBO television adaption]] of the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=14 April 2025 |title=HBO Reveals 'Harry Potter' Remake Cast, From Hagrid to Snape to Quirrell |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/harry-potter-cast-hbo-1236189812/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McIntosh |first1=Steven |title=HBO confirms first cast members for Harry Potter TV series |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15vlv3glzqo |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=14 April 2025 }}</ref>

===Stage===
Dumbledore appears in the play ''[[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child]]'' (2016). The play is written by [[Jack Thorne]] from a story by Thorne, [[J. K. Rowling]] and [[John Tiffany]]. The plot occurs nineteen years after the events of ''Deathly Hallows'', and features time-travel elements.

==Characterisation==
===Outward appearance===
In the novels, Dumbledore is described as tall, thin and elderly. His hair and beard are long and silver. He has a long and crooked nose, long fingers and bright blue eyes. He wears half-moon spectacles and a colourful array of robes. He once claimed to have a scar above his left knee in the shape of a map of the London Underground. At some point between the fifth and sixth novels, Dumbledore puts on a cursed ring, which causes his right hand to become blackened and disfigured.<ref name="PS1">Rowling, J. K. (1997). ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 1: "He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt."</ref><ref name="PS2">Rowling, J. K. (1997). ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 1: "His nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice."</ref><ref name="PS3">Rowling, J. K. (1997). ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 1: "His blue eyes were light, bright and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles."</ref>

===Personality===
Dumbledore is described as benevolent and wise. His demeanour is often described as serene, ethereal and composed, and he rarely displays strong emotions. He is eccentric, slightly effeminate and fond of knitting. He is known for his odd displays of whimsicality, and he often uses humour to put others at ease. His eyes are sometimes described as twinkling with kindness or mischief. Dumbledore is highly perceptive and emotionally intelligent, and has a deep capacity for love. He sees the good in every person, and insists on giving people second chances. Dumbledore's personality also has a more steely aspect. When he apprehends Barty Crouch Jr in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|Goblet of Fire]]'', the look upon his face is described as "more terrible than Harry could have ever imagined." As Harry observes the "cold fury" in Dumbledore's visage, he understands why Voldemort fears him.

In spite of Dumbledore's many extraordinary qualities, he is a flawed character. According to Rowling, "Although Dumbledore seems to be so benign for six books, he's quite a [[Machiavelli]]an figure, really. He's been pulling a lot of strings."<ref>{{cite web|first=Shawn|last=Adler|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571977/20071015/index.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018005439/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571977/20071015/index.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2007|title=Harry Potter's Author J. K. Rowling Meets With L.A. Students, Plots Her Next Move|publisher=[[MTV]]|location=New York City|date=12 October 2007|access-date=18 April 2008}}</ref> In a 2005 interview, Rowling commented: "Immense brainpower does not protect you from emotional mistakes, and I think Dumbledore really exemplifies that."<ref>{{cite web|first1=Emerson|last1=Spartz|first2=Melissa|last2=Anelli|url=http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview.shtml|title=MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling|website=mugglenet.com|date=16 July 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612094057/http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview.shtml |archive-date=12 June 2012|access-date=21 October 2007}}</ref> Dumbledore's greatest flaw, which he admits to Harry, is his desire for power. He eventually finds that those best suited for power are those who do not seek it. When he and Grindelwald first meet, they make plans to enslave Muggles and re-establish wizards as the natural rulers of the world. However, Dumbledore becomes disillusioned of this fantasy after his sister Ariana is killed during a duel between himself, his brother Aberforth, and Grindelwald.

Dumbledore is riddled with guilt over the circumstances surrounding the death of his sister. He feels enormous remorse for his selfishness in getting involved in the circumstances that led to her death, and is tortured for the rest of his life by the possibility that he might have been the one who cast the spell that killed her. When he looks into the Mirror of Erised, he sees himself redeemed in the eyes of his brother and his entire family alive and together.

===Magical abilities and skills===
Dumbledore is considered by many characters to be the most powerful wizard alive. Some say he is the only wizard Voldemort ever feared. During his education at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was known as the most brilliant student to have ever stepped into the school, winning "every prize of note that the school offered", and doing "things with a wand [the examiner had] never seen before". Rowling has said that Dumbledore is primarily self-taught, although he "had access to superb teachers at Hogwarts".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spartz |first1=Emerson |first2=Melissa |last2=Anelli |url=http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview3.shtml |title=MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part 3 |publisher=MuggleNet |date=16 July 2005 |access-date=21 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011024931/http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview3.shtml |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dumbledore readily acknowledges that he is unusually intelligent and an exceptionally powerful wizard. He admits a number of times to Harry in that he makes mistakes, and since he is smarter than most people, his mistakes "tend to be correspondingly huger". Dumbledore is also skilled in [[Legilimency|Occlumency]], [[Legilimency]] and Transfiguration.

===Possessions===
Dumbledore is the owner and master of the [[Elder Wand]], an extremely powerful object which is one of the [[Deathly Hallows (object)|Deathly Hallows]]. He also has a pet [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] named [[Fawkes (Harry Potter)|Fawkes]]. It is revealed in ''Philosopher's Stone'' by [[Mr. Ollivander]] that Harry's [[List of wands in Harry Potter|wand]] carries a phoenix feather as its magical core and that particular phoenix only gave one other feather, the one in Voldemort's wand that gave Harry his scar. It is later revealed in ''Goblet of Fire'' that Fawkes was the phoenix whose feathers provide the magical core in Harry's and Voldemort's wands.<ref name="DH1">Rowling, J. K. (2007). ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 24: Dumbledore is revealed to have been the owner and master of the Elder Wand.</ref><ref name="CoS1">Rowling, J. K. (1998). ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 12: Introduction of Fawkes as Dumbledore's pet phoenix.</ref><ref name="PS12">Rowling, J. K. (1997). ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 5: Mr. Ollivander reveals that Harry's wand carries a phoenix feather as its magical core.</ref>

== Reception ==
The character of Albus Dumbledore has been compared to other [[Jungian archetypes|archetypal]] "[[wise old man]]" characters. Dumbledore acts much like [[Merlin]] from ''[[The Sword in the Stone (novel)|The Sword in the Stone]]'', in the manner of an "[[absent-minded professor]]";<ref>{{cite web|title=Real Wizards: The Search for Harry's Ancestors |publisher=Channel 4 |url=http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/R/real_wizards/myth.htm |year=2001 |access-date=1 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018202447/http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/R/real_wizards/myth.htm |archive-date=18 October 2012 }}</ref> both Merlin and Dumbledore educate a story's main character in a castle. As writer Evelyn Perry notes, "Dumbledore resembles Merlin both personally and physically; he is an avid lover of books and wisdom who wears flowing robes and a long, white beard."<ref>{{cite web|title=Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Novel|first=Evelyn M.|last=Perry|publisher=Farmingham State College|url=http://www.aolatschool.com/students/books/booknotes/_a/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/20060103193609990005| access-date=1 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024223857/http://www.aolatschool.com/students/books/booknotes/_a/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/20060103193609990005 |archive-date=24 October 2006}}</ref> Dumbledore has also been compared with [[Gandalf]] from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 November 2007|title=Gandalf vs Dumbledore: Ian McKellen Talks Wizards|url=http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/11/24/gandalf-vs-dumbledore-ian-mckellan-talks-wizards|work=The Leaky Cauldron}}</ref> Dave Kopel draws comparisons between Rowling's writing and [[John Bunyan]]'s ''[[The Pilgrim's Progress]]'' and states that, among the Christian symbols that Rowling has used in her books, Dumbledore acts like "the bearded God the Father" figure in which Harry puts his faith to be saved from Voldemort and his servants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Some Random Facts About The Weasley Family |first=Dave|last=Kopel|website=J.K. Rowling Official Site |url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=7 |access-date=10 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624091804/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=7 |archive-date=24 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[IGN]] also listed Dumbledore as their fifth favourite ''Harry Potter'' character, saying that "[f]or a character that was introduced into popular culture a mere twelve years ago, it speaks volumes that Professor Dumbledore has already taken his place among the great mentor figures in literature and film".<ref name="IGN Top">{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/100/1002569p5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719051740/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/100/1002569p5.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 July 2009|title=Top 25 Harry Potter Characters|first1=Brian|last1=Linder|first2=Phil|last2=Pirrello|first3=Eric|last3=Goldman|first4=Matt|last4=Fowler|date=14 July 2009|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=3 April 2011}}</ref> [[IGN]]'s Joe Utichi called Dumbledore his third favourite ''Harry Potter'' character, calling the revelation that he wasn't so "infallible" one of the most heartbreaking themes of the final book.<ref name="Joe Top">{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/113/1132181p2.html|title=The Top 10 Harry Potter Characters|first=Joe|last=Utichi|date=3 November 2010|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=3 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106133737/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/113/1132181p2.html|archive-date=6 November 2010}}</ref> Actor [[Michael Gambon]] received some criticism for his louder, more aggressive, portrayal of the character, who is depicted as exhibiting a more subdued, unflappable calm in the books. This has been attributed to Gambon's policy of not reading the source material from which his films are adapted.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosenfield|first1=Kat|title=A Brief History of the Worst 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' Mistake Ever|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2427289/harry-potter-and-the-gobleddafiyah/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120030610/http://www.mtv.com/news/2427289/harry-potter-and-the-gobleddafiyah/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 November 2015|publisher=[[MTV]]|location=New York City|date=18 November 2015|access-date=27 November 2015}}</ref>

As a main character of the series, major facts relating to Dumbledore have generated a vast number of essays and discussions. The death of Dumbledore at the end of ''Half-Blood Prince'' was discussed by fans and critics alike. A website named DumbledoreIsNotDead.com sought to understand the events of the sixth book in a different way and provided arguments to claim that the character did not really die.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Haber|url=http://www.beyondhogwarts.com/harry-potter/articles/dumbledore-is-not-dead.html|title=Dumbledore Is Not Dead!|publisher=Beyond Hogwarts|date=19 July 2005|access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref> However, Rowling confirmed on 2 August 2006 that Dumbledore was, in fact, dead, humorously apologising to the website as she did so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hpana.com/news.19531.html|title=Dumbledore 'definitely' dead, says Rowling|publisher=HPANA|date=2 August 2006|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208185309/http://www.hpana.com/news.19531.html|archive-date=8 February 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with DumbledoreIsNotDead.com, a collection of essays, ''Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?: What Really Happened in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? Six Expert Harry Potter Detectives Examine the Evidence'', was published by Zossima Press in November 2006.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=John|editor-last=Granger|title=Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?: What Really Happened in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? Six Expert Harry Potter Detectives Examine the Evidence|publisher=Unlocking Press|date=2006|isbn=978-0972322119|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/whokilledalbusdu0000unse}}</ref> In NextMovie.com's ''Harry Potter'' Mega Poll, Dumbledore's death was voted as the most unforgettable moment in the whole series.<ref name="MegaPoll">{{cite web|url=http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/harry-potter-poll-results/|title='Harry Potter' Mega Poll: The Mega Results!|first=Scott|last=Harris|date=14 July 2011|work=NextMovie.com|access-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717115656/http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/harry-potter-poll-results|archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

In the ''Chamber of Secrets'' DVD interview, screenwriter [[Steve Kloves]] stated that he considers Dumbledore a fascinating character because of the wisdom he provides, but he feels that "Dumbledore bears such a tremendous dark burden, and he knows secrets and I think in many ways he bears the weight of the future of the wizard world" and the "only way that he can keep that at bay, the darkness, is to be whimsical and humorous".<ref name="chamberdvd"/>

===Sexuality===
In October 2007, while answering reader questions during a book reading at [[Carnegie Hall]], Rowling was asked if Dumbledore had ever been in love. She answered, "I always thought Dumbledore is gay". She discussed for the first time his romantic relationship with his rival Gellert Grindelwald, describing it as a "great tragedy". She said she had informed [[David Yates]], the director of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'', of Dumbledore's sexuality by writing a note in the screenplay. She had crossed out a section where Dumbledore describes his attraction to a woman, and had written "Dumbledore is gay."<ref>{{Cite web |date=Oct 20, 2007 |title=J.K. Rowling reveals Dumbledore is gay |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/j-k-rowling-reveals-dumbledore-is-gay-1.672915 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=CBC Arts}}</ref> When Yates learned about Dumbledore's sexuality, he recalled thinking it was "pretty cool".<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Tim |date=12 November 2007 |title=Potter stars react to gay twist |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7085863.stm |access-date=21 March 2011 |website=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |location=London, England}}</ref> Michael Gambon, who portrays Dumbledore in six of the eight ''Harry Potter'' films, was reportedly amused by the revelation. Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry in the film series, found the news "hilarious".<ref name=":1" />

The revelation of Dumbledore's sexuality occurred after the publication of the final novel, and made international news.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=David |date=2007-10-21 |title=Dumbledore was gay, JK tells amazed fans |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/21/film.books |access-date=2023-09-28 |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> Some gay rights activists and organizations praised Rowling, while others wished she had gone further to promote acceptance of homosexuality. A spokesman for the advocacy group [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]] applauded the revelation, saying "It's great that JK has said this. It shows that there's no limit to what gay and lesbian people can do, even being a wizard headmaster."<ref name="BBC2007">{{cite web |date=20 October 2007 |title=JK Rowling outs Dumbledore as gay |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7053982.stm |access-date=13 August 2016 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |location=London, England}}</ref> The gay rights campaigner [[Peter Tatchell]] welcomed the news about Dumbledore, but was disappointed that Rowling did not mention his sexuality in the novels.<ref name="BBC2007" /> In an editorial for ''[[The Guardian]]'', the journalist [[James Ball (journalist)|James Ball]] wrote that depicting "the respected, heroic and beloved Albus Dumbledore as [a] fully realised gay character—whose sexuality was merely incidental to his achievements—would have provided a fictional role model like no other. With homophobic bullying still such a significant issue in schools, this is a missed opportunity with a real sting in the tail."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ball |first=James |date=2007-10-23 |title=Dumbledore tumbles out |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/oct/23/dumbledoretumblesout |access-date=2023-09-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', John Cloud argued that Dumbledore's silence about his sexuality implies that he is ashamed of it. Cloud claimed this silence "suggests a lack of personal integrity that is completely out of character".<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Cloud |first=John |date=October 25, 2007 |title=Outing Dumbledore |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1675622,00.html |access-date=August 17, 2021 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

[[Melissa Anelli]], the webmaster of the fan site [[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|The Leaky Cauldron]], praised the revelation, saying it promoted tolerance towards homosexuality. She added, "By dubbing someone so respected, so talented and so kind, as someone who just happens to be also homosexual, [Rowling is] reinforcing the idea that a person's gayness is not something of which they should be ashamed."<ref>{{cite web |last=Associated Press |date=21 October 2007 |title=Dumbledore's outing gives text new meaning |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/dumbledore-s-outing-gives-text-new-meaning-wbna21407911 |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=Today}}</ref> [[Mark Harris (journalist)|Mark Harris]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said Rowling's choice "to make a beloved professor-mentor gay in a world where gay teachers are still routinely slandered as malign influences was, I am certain, no accident."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Harris |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Harris (journalist) |date=30 October 2007 |title=Dumbledore: A Lovely Outing |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/30/dumbledores-outing-why-it-matters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129013013/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20154416,00.html |archive-date=29 November 2014 |access-date=21 March 2011 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |location=New York City}}</ref> Mike Thomas of the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' claimed that Rowling displayed great skill by writing a gay character without labelling him as gay.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mike |date=22 October 2007 |title=So Dumbledore is Gay |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_columnist_mikethomas/2007/10/so-dumbledore-i.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522041646/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_columnist_mikethomas/2007/10/so-dumbledore-i.html |archive-date=22 May 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing Company]] |location=Orlando, Florida}}</ref> 

In a 2016 article, Aja Romano of ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'' observed a critical stance among many ''Harry Potter'' fans towards Rowling's revelation. Romano asserted that because Dumbledore's homosexuality was revealed after his death, certain fans felt that Rowling contributed to a "longstanding, problematic '[[Bury your gays|dead gays]]' trope" instead of showing the headmaster "living out his queer identity".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=2016-09-04 |title=The Harry Potter universe still can't translate its gay subtext to text. It's a problem. |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/9/4/12534818/harry-potter-cursed-child-rowling-queerbaiting |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref> After the release of the film ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald]]'' (2018), Delia Harrington of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' criticised the film's failure to mention Dumbledore's homosexuality. She claimed that Rowling, who wrote the screenplay, put Dumbledore back in "the closet".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Delia |date=2018-11-20 |title=Fantastic Beasts 2 is Queerbaiting That Puts Dumbledore Back in the Closet |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/fantastic-beasts-2-queerbaiting-dumbledore-back-in-the-closet/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> In a 2019 opinion piece in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Richard Morgan also expressed frustration that the headmaster is not portrayed as gay in the film. He quoted Matt Collette, the producer of the [[Nancy (podcast)|Nancy]] podcast, who had discussed the topic in a 2017 episode. Collette called Rowling a "queerbaiter", which Collette defined as "a writer who puts in just enough of a queer story line to appease the fans who'd like one, but not so much as to offend anyone who doesn't like gay people."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Richard |date=March 18, 2019 |title=It's not enough for J.K. Rowling to say her characters are queer. Show it to us. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/18/its-not-enough-jk-rowling-say-her-characters-are-queer-show-it-us/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814173340/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/18/its-not-enough-jk-rowling-say-her-characters-are-queer-show-it-us/ |archive-date=14 August 2020 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2017 |title=There Are No Gay Wizards |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/nancy/episodes/nancy-podcast-episode-5-harry-potter-gay-dumbledore |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Nancy – WNYC Studios |language=en}}</ref>

Some critics argued that Dumbledore's sexuality should not be considered [[canon (fiction)|canon]]. Edward Rothstein of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that "Rowling may think of Dumbledore as gay" but "there is no reason why anyone else should".<ref>{{cite news |last=Rothstein |first=Edward |date=29 October 2007 |title=Is Dumbledore Gay? Depends on Definitions of 'Is' and 'Gay' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/arts/29conn.html |access-date=29 October 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=London, England}}</ref> The student newspaper of [[East Tennessee State University]] accused Rowling of lying, claiming her revelation was a [[publicity stunt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.easttennessean.com/media/storage/paper203/news/2007/10/22/Viewpoint/the-Life.And.Lies.Of.Albus.Dumbledore-3047947.shtml |title=The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore |work=East Tennessean |date=22 October 2007 |access-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130035205/http://media.www.easttennessean.com/media/storage/paper203/news/2007/10/22/Viewpoint/the-Life.And.Lies.Of.Albus.Dumbledore-3047947.shtml |archive-date=30 January 2010 }}</ref> Other critics quoted the [[Death of the Author]] principle; they claimed that Rowling's commentary about characters after the novels were published is irrelevant to an understanding of the books.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michelle|last=Smith|url=http://theconversation.com/the-death-of-j-k-rowling-why-it-doesnt-matter-what-she-has-to-say-about-harry-potter-35762|title=The 'death' of J. K. Rowling: Why it doesn't matter what she has to say about Harry Potter |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|date=22 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Emily St |date=2014-08-28 |title=The Tony Soprano and Hello Kitty stories are about the same thing |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/8/28/6078375/tony-soprano-hello-kitty-authorial-intent |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the third film in the series, ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore]]'' (2022), Dumbledore mentions that he was in love with Grindelwald, and tells other characters about their romantic relationship. After these lines were cut from the film's Chinese release, the filmmakers faced additional criticism from fans.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2022-04-12 |title=Warner Bros. Removes 'Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore' Dialogue About Gay Relationship for China |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fantastic-beasts-3-dumbledore-china-1235128751/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Sarah |date=2022-04-15 |title="Fantastic Beasts" Queer Dialogue Was Censored — All 6 Seconds of It |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore-called-out-for-erasing-queer-dialogue |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shortt |first=Hannah |date=2022-05-12 |title=Fantastic Beasts 3: How The Secrets of Dumbledore Falls Short on LGBTQ+ Representation |url=https://movieweb.com/fantastic-beasts-3-secrets-of-dumbledore-lgbtq-representation/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref>}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite web |last=Dry |first=Jude |date=2018-02-01 |title=J.K. Rowling, Stop Queerbaiting: We're Ready for Gay Dumbledore in 'Fantastic Beasts' — Opinion |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/jk-rowling-dumbledore-gay-fantastic-beasts-lgbt-1201924000/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}
*{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Michelle |date=22 December 2014 |title=The 'death' of J. K. Rowling: Why it doesn't matter what she has to say about Harry Potter |url=http://theconversation.com/the-death-of-j-k-rowling-why-it-doesnt-matter-what-she-has-to-say-about-harry-potter-35762 |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}
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{{Harry Potter}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dumbledore, Albus}}
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