The Great Gambon: Michael Gambon in his own words

by Milly Ellis

Sir Michael Gambon was one of the greatest actors of the last 50 years, with a career that began as second spear carrier in Hamlet, alongside Anthony Hopkins (he had to lift Peter O'Toole - Hamlet - out of Ophelia's grave and was told he would never work again if he kept dropping him). He went on to star in plays by Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett, as well as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films .

When Michael Gambon's memory began to fade, he found it increasingly difficult to remember his lines. Ultimately the job fell to Milly Ellis, to be his 'earwig', which she did for fifteen years, giving him his lines through an earpiece.

This gave her the opportunity to see and hear him deliver some his most outstanding performances. As well as having chameleon-like abilities as an actor, Gambon was a legendary self mythologiser and this book celebrates the many outlandish stories he told about himself, as well as from those of his friends and fellow actors. Milly Ellis has woven the best of these - from the likes of Tom Hollander, Daniel Craig, Robert de Niro, Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins - into an affectionate tribute to this extraordinary man.

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

Reviews

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very weak, surface only biography brought together by quotes from his friends and admirers. There was clearly a darker side to Gambon which is nudged at but never faced. I saw him act: a great actor. Perhaps it should have been left at that.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming and delightful book about Michael Gambon. It demonstrates what a wonderful man Gambon was - an amazing actor, a great friend and a terrific prankster.