The actress has recently been unwell.
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Miriam Margolyes, the beloved star known for her roles in iconic films like Babe and Romeo + Juliet, recently faced a major health hurdle. At 82 years young, with a six-decade-long career in the movie industry and a BAFTA Award for her role in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, she’s a true legend.
But this time, she’s making headlines for a different reason. Miriam, who you may remember from her role in the Harry Potter series, had to undergo a significant procedure for her heart.
In a candid update on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, she revealed she had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Now, if you’re wondering what TAVR is, it’s a common procedure aimed at improving blood flow in the heart by replacing an aortic valve that’s not opening correctly. Originally, it was designed as an alternative to open-heart surgery for folks who couldn’t endure the rigors of that operation.
But, as time went on, it became an option even for those at lower risk of complications. Research even suggests that, after a year, it’s just as effective as traditional heart valve surgery.
Miriam humorously remarked on her experience, saying, “I’ve got a cow’s heart now. Well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve.” It’s not something you hear every day, right?
When asked about the surgery’s prevalence, she admitted she’d “never heard” of it before. But here’s the fantastic part: it saved her from the more invasive open-heart surgery.
Miriam went on to explain the process in her own unique way, saying, “They made two little holes in your groin. One in each groin, and then they shoved this thing through. And I don’t know how they pull it up, but they sort of pull it up with stereos. And then when it comes to the point, when it’s in your heart, they pull a little string and it goes pow! And lo and behold, your artery or your aortic valve is shoved unceremoniously to the side.”
Her remarkable openness about her health journey comes on the heels of her posing nude for British Vogue, where she graced the cover as a true symbol of strength and resilience. Miriam Margolyes, you’re an inspiration to us all!
21 Actors From The Harry Potter Films Who Are No Longer With Us
So many great actors from the series are no longer with us
Calling all fellow wizards and witches, it’s time to raise our wands and remember the magical stars who’ve left us from the Harry Potter universe. Since the very first Harry Potter movie graced our screens in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” we’ve laughed, cried, and cheered alongside a fantastic cast of characters. But, my friends, the bittersweet truth is that not all of them are still with us.
We’ve had to bid farewell to 21 talented actors who brought the wizarding world to life. From the mighty Professor Snape, played by the unforgettable Alan Rickman, to the wise Professor Dumbledore portrayed by the legendary Richard Harris. Even the gentle giant Hagrid, portrayed by Robbie Coltrane, has ventured into the great beyond.
But it’s not just the headlining heroes who have left us. The magic of Harry Potter extends to the supporting cast as well. Elizabeth Spriggs, who played the enchanting Fat Lady guarding Gryffindor Tower, and Verne Troyer, our beloved Griphook, have also passed away.
1) Richard Harris – Albus Dumbledore
Prior to Michael Gambon taking over for the remaining six Harry Potter films, Harris played the grandfatherly headmaster in the first two films and many fans were delighted with the casting as he looked as so many fans imagined!
2) Alan Rickman – Severus Snape
Fans of Harry Potter were very saddened by Severus Snape’s loss, but Alan Rickman’s death was by far a bigger shock. Tragically, the actor passed away in January 2016 after receiving a confidential diagnosis of terminal cancer.
3) Robert Knox – Marcus Belby
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Knox, an English actor, played Marcus Belby. Tragically, Knox was fatally stabbed outside a London pub after getting involved in a fight to defend his brother.
Later, a documentary was produced on the actor’s tragic passing and the cast of the Potter films wore ribbons in his memory at the premiere.
4) Elizabeth Spriggs – The Fat Lady
Spriggs was well-known for portraying The Fat Lady, a living portrait who watches over the Gryffindor common area. Comedian Dawn French subsequently took over the part.
5) Timothy Bateson – Kreacher
Prior to his death in 2009, Bateson performed the voice of Kreacher, an elderly house elf, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
6) Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet
Alfred Burke, who was well-known for his roles as Frank Marker in Public Eye and subsequently as Armando Dippett, Dumbledore’s predecessor at Hogwarts, died in February 2011 at the age of 92.
7) Jimmy Gardner – Ernie Prang
In the third Harry Potter movie from 2004, Gardner, a WWII veteran who had been acting since the 1960s, played Knight Bus driver Ernie Prang.
8) Eric Sykes – Frank Bryce
Frank Bryce, a Muggle who lived in Little Hangleton, the same community which the Riddle family also called home, was portrayed by comic actor Eric Sykes. He worked as their gardener and eventually was the main suspect in the death of the family, but viewers will know he was innocent.
9) Richard Griffiths – (Uncle) Vernon Dursley
Richard Griffiths, a renowned British actor of theatre and cinema recognised for performances in The History Boys, Withnail and I, and Chariots of Fire, was the only person who could have brought Harry’s Uncle Vernon to life and fans loved to loathe him!
10) David Ryall – Elphias Doge
In the 2010 film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Ryall took over Peter Cartwright’s role as Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix but sadly passed away, 2014’s Christmas Day.
11) Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback
Fenrir Greyback was a werewolf and Death Eater with a sinister propensity for harming innocent youngsters, as the really die-hard fans would know. Tragically, the actor who played him passed away in July 2014 in Death Valley, California, after appearing in three Harry Potter films.
12) Roger Lloyd Pack – Barty Crouch Senior
Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Trigger in the enduring sitcom Only Fools and Horses, went on to play Barty Crouch Senior, a powerful Ministry of Magic official in the series furing Goblet of Fire.
13) Derek Deadman – Tom The Innkeeper
Derek Deadman, a character actor with more than 40 years of experience in the British entertainment business, created the role of Tom, the barman from The Leaky Cauldron, a pub in Diagon Alley.
14) Terence Baylor – The Blood Baron
The Bloody Baron, a ghost at Hogwarts who was originally a wizard also known as Phillip Strenger, was played by New Zealand actor Terence Bayler.
15) John Hurt – Ollivander
Hurt, a well-known English actor whose career spanned five decades including a pivotal part in the Doctor Who video, played the kind-hearted wandmaker Ollivander in the movie series.
16) Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge
Magical Minister Robert Hardy CBE, who had acting credentials in theatre, cinema, and television before his passing in 2017, played Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter movies.
17) Verne Troyer – Griphook
Verne Troyer played Mini Me in the Austin Powers movie, which is perhaps his most well-known role, but he also played Griphook in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone until Warwick Davies took over.
18) Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy
Before her tragic passing in 2021, McCrory had amassed a large following because to her performances in films like Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter series and Polly in Peaky Blinders.
19) Robbie Coltrane – Rubeus Hagrid
The world was in mourning in 2022 after learning of the passing of renowned Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who is best known for his role as Hagrid, the affable groundskeeper in the Harry Potter series.
20) Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat
Phillips was well-known for appearing in the Carry On films and for lending his voice to The Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films. He passed away in November of last year after building a successful and protracted acting career.
21) Michael Gambon – Albus Dumbledore (2)
Sadly the news of Michael Gambon’s passing is so sudden and yet he contributed to 6 of the Harry Potter films after taking over from Richard Harris in which he showed a feistier side to the headmaster and fans came to love him. Not to mention his most famous quote ‘Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light’
As fans of the wizarding world, we’ll always cherish the enchanting moments these actors gifted us. Let’s hold onto those memories, rewatch the films, and keep their magic alive in our hearts. After all, “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home,” as J.K. Rowling once said. And so will the enchanting performances of these dearly departed actors in the world of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter Director’s Daughter Wasn’t Allowed Any Lines In The Movie Due To J.K. Rowling’s One Rule
Harry Potter Star Is Unrecognizable – Can you guess who it is?
Since the enchanting finale of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” graced our cinema screens in 2011, the cast of the Harry Potter series has been up to all sorts of adventures in the muggle world – from more films and TV shows to even treading the boards in theatre productions.
Now, let’s talk about the usual suspects: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. These stars have soared to incredible heights in their post-Potter careers, but as we all know, not every actor stuck around in the spotlight.
Harry Potter Director’s Daughter Wasn’t Allowed Any Lines In The Movie Due To J.K. Rowling’s One Rule
Enter Jamie Waylett, the actor behind Vincent Crabbe, one of Draco Malfoy’s trusty sidekicks. But wait, if you’re picturing that young, mischievous face from the movies, think again! Jamie Waylett has undergone a transformation that’s nothing short of magical.
Despite the promise of a bright future after his stint in one of the highest-grossing film series of all time, at the age of 34, Waylett hasn’t graced our screens with any new acting roles since the wizarding world movies wrapped up.
In the Deathly Hallows book, Crabbe meets an unfortunate end after setting fire to the Room of Requirement. However, in the film, Jamie Waylett was removed from the cast, and his on-screen partner in crime, Josh Herdman (a.k.a. Gregory Goyle), took his place and met a fiery demise instead.
Harry Potter Actress Bonnie Wright Says Her Role Was A ‘Little Disappointing’
So, why was Jamie Waylett absent from the final two movies, you ask? Well, it turns out he had some legal matters to attend to. In 2009, at the tender age of 20, he was arrested for cultivating marijuana in his family home and later pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of a knife.
In 2012, he found himself in hot water again, this time for his involvement in the London riots the previous year. He faced charges of ‘violent disorder, having an article with intent to destroy or damage property, and receiving stolen goods,’ and the consequence was a two-year prison sentence.
However the actor is now on Cameo where you can snag a video message for £160 each, with an average length of one minute and 47 seconds. When fans caught a glimpse of him, they were in for quite a surprise. While his face may still be somewhat familiar, he’s now rocking some facial hair and a face tattoo of stars across his eyebrow – talk about a transformation spell gone awry!
In a recent Cameo video, Waylett exclaimed, ‘What’s going on, people? It’s your boy Jamie Waylett, I played Vincent Crabbe in the Harry Potter movies one to six. I’m very, very excited to have the opportunity to be able to give people and the loved ones in your life that you care about a special message. I look forward to hearing from you. Slytherin for life.’
And guess what? He’s not the only wizarding world alum trying out the Cameo scene. Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy himself, has also ventured into the world of personalized videos, though his services come at a steeper price – a whopping £485 per clip! Talk about paying the Galleons for a piece of Harry Potter magic!
20 Actors From The Harry Potter Films Who Are No Longer With Us
