J.K. Rowling was aboard a train to London when a brilliant idea struck. She got off the train and immediately went to work. At the time, she didn’t know the book she was about to write would be a cult-classic, let alone the world’s most successful series. After rejection from 12 publishers, Harry Potter was born. "The Boy Who Lived" changed Rowling’s life. He made her the world’s first billionaire author, with over 500 million copies of her book sold. The series has also been translated into eighty languages all over the world. Its long list of fans includes Selena Gomez.

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Rowling sold the rights to the first Harry Potter movie for a reported $1 million. The franchise has been estimated to be worth $25 Billion and is one of the world’s most successful movie franchises to date. Since its 1997 production began, we’ve had child actors such as Emma Watson grow in the acting industry and become familiar faces. We’ve also lost some actors along the way.

10 Eric Sykes (Frank Bryce)

As Frank in the movie
Via 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Erick Sykes appeared in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire as Frank Bryce, a muggle who resided in Little Hangleton. Bryce was a gardener who was killed by Lord Voldemort. Besides playing Frank Bryce, Eric Sykes was a comedian and writer, whose career lasted well over five decades. He passed away in July 2012 at his home in England.

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9 Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape)

Professor Severus Snape had a history with Harry’s parents, Lily and James. Besides being the headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he was part of the Order of the Phoenix, and a Death Eater. Off the screen, Alan Rickman had a four-decade career whose breakthrough came when he was cast on The Barchester Chronicles. Rickman passed away in January 2016 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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8 Alfred Burke (Armando Dippet)

Burke in the film
Via 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'

Alfred Burke played Professor Armando Dippet in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It was the last role he played in a film. At Hogwarts, Armando Dippet served as the headmaster, prior to professor Albus Dumbledore’s takeover. One of Alfred Burke’s other well-known role on television was as Frank Marker on Public Eye. Burke passed away in February of 2011 at the age of 93.

7 Helen McCrory ( Narcissa Malfoy)

McCroy played the role of Narcissa Malfoy, a sister to Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and cousin to Sirius Black. Her first appearance was in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Her home in The Deathly Hallows was used as Voldemort’s quarters. During her lifetime, Helen McCroy appeared in several other films, including Cherie Blair, The Special Relationship, and Skyfall. She succumbed to cancer in April.

6 Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley)

Vernon Dursley was the husband to Petunia, Harry’s aunt and guardian, who hated everything related to her sister’s kind. Throughout his career, Griffith portrayed many other roles. He appeared in films such as Funny Bones and Vatel. On television, he had roles on Nobody’s Perfect, A Kind of Living, and appeared on several TV films. Griffiths died from complications due to surgery in 2013.

5 Hazel Douglas (Bathilda Bagshot)

As Bathilda Bagshot
Via 'Harry Potter' Series

Just like the show’s creator, Bathilda Bagshot was an author. She had a number of books to her name, the most popular of which was A History of Magic. A History of Magic was used in a class that bore the same name. When she was alive, Hazel Douglas appeared in a number of films, including Face, The Parole Officer, and Assylum. Douglas died in 2016 at the age of 92.

4 Terence Bayler (Bloody Baron)

The Bloody Baron amongst other ghosts.
Via 'Harry Potter' Series

New Zealand actor Terence Bayler was well known for his role in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. His career began in the ’50s as Tom Sullivan on Broken Barrier. As the Bloody Baron on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, he was a Slytherin ghost whose past included a romantic interest in Rowena Ravenclaw. While the Bloody Baron had died by suicide,  in real life, Terence Bayler passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

3 Paul Ritter (Eldred Worple)

As Worple, the author.
Via 'Harry Potter' Series

Eldred Worple was the author of Blood Brother: My Life Amongst the Vampires. He had a particular interest in writing Harry’s biography. Harry, on the other hand, wasn’t interested. Paul Ritter not only appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but he also had roles in Quantum of Solace and The Eagle. Ritter succumbed to a brain tumor in April.

2 Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore)

Harris's role as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets marked his last appearance in a film. He had other roles, most notable of which was as King Arthur in Camelot. For his portrayal of Frank Machin in This Sporting Life, Harris received an Academy nomination. He also doubled as a singer, with a number of albums to his name. The Irish actor passed away in 2002, at the age of 92.

1 Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback)

David Legeno was both an actor and a martial artist. As an actor, he played the role of Fenrir Greyback on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The werewolf was associated with the Death Eaters and worked together with Lord Voldemort. Legeno also appeared in Batman Begins, Snatch, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Legeno died in 2014, following heart-related complications that worsened during a hike.

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