Richard Harris dominated the acting scene from his stage debut in 1947 up until his death at the age of 72 in 2002. Although he initially started on the stage, Richard soon progressed to TV and film, where he really made his name.
In 1959, he made his film debut in Alive and Kicking, playing a relatively minor character, but just four years later, he secured his first Oscar nomination thanks to his role in This Sporting Life as Frank Machin, a successful rugby player who isn't as lucky with his romantic endeavours.
Other major roles soon followed, with the star appearing in the likes of A Man Called Horse, Camelot, The Snow Goose, Unforgiven, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Field, the latter of which saw him secure his second Oscar nomination.
However, the role that many people might associate with the legendary actor is as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. The star lovingly portrayed the headmaster of Hogwarts, passing away just a week before the second film premiered. Despite securing the role, Richard confessed he feared that it might overshadow his other work, remarking before his death: "Because, you see, I don't just want to be remembered for being in those bloody films, and I'm afraid that's what's going to happen to me."
Richard was married twice over the course of his life and was a father to three children, all of whom have followed the late actor in the world of showbusiness. Meet them below…
© Getty Images for US-Ireland AlliDamian (right) is the eldest of the Harris brothers
Damian Harris
Richard's eldest son is the screenwriter and actor Damian Harris. Damian only has one acting credit to his name, that being 1968's comedy drama Otley, in which he starred alongside Tom Courtenay and Romy Schneider.
The star is much more famous for his work behind the camera, being the director on the likes of Deceived and Bad Company, while also serving as a screenwriter for The Rachel Papers, Mercy and Brave the Dark.
Sadly, the pair never ended up working together, with Damian telling the Golden Globes in 2022 that they were planning to at the time of Richard's death. "Then, in the last year of his life, we decided to try it again with a different book, called 'Pop' by Kitty Aldridge," he explained. "Kitty and I wrote the script and my father was really excited, because it was something that he responded to.
"It was about a grandfather and a granddaughter, and he had a very close relationship with my daughter, Ella. So, it was a positive time for the two of us, and of course ultimately sad, as we didn’t get to do it."
The 67-year-old previously worked with both of his brothers when they created The Ghost of Richard Harris, an adaptation of their late father's unfinished autobiography.
In 1981, Damian married actress Annabel Brooks, known for her roles in Cherry 2000 and The Witches, with the pair welcoming a daughter, Ella. The couple divorced in 1990. Seven years later, Damian found love again with actress and model Peta Wilson, who he worked with in Mercy. The pair were together between 1997 and 2002, and they share a child together.
© The Hollywood Reporter via GettyJared has appeared in several major franchises
Jared Harris
Richard's second son is the actor Jared Harris. Jared made his professional debut in 1989's The Rachel Papers, which was written and directed by his older brother, Damian. The star followed this up with roles in the likes of I Shot Andy Warhol, The Last of the Mohicans and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Despite his glittering film career, Jared might be best known for his TV work, including on the likes of Mad Men, Chernobyl, The Expanse, The Terror and The Crown, playing King George VI in the first two seasons of the iconic period drama.
Jared has collected several major awards thanks to his TV work, including a BAFTA and Satellite Award for Best Actor in Chernobyl and a SAG Award for Mad Men.
The 64-year-old has been married three times, with his second wife being the actress Emilia Fox; the pair were married between 2005 and 2010. Since 2013, the star has been married to Allegra Riggio.
Answering fan questions in an interview with The Guardian in 2025, Jared reflected on his father's singing career, revealing that he hadn't been lucky enough to have inherited Richard's vocal abilities. He confessed: "I did not inherit his singing voice. I'm passable at karaoke, but I would never charge anybody to hear me sing."
He also revealed the sweet memento that reminds of his late dad, adding: "I actually have a bunch of his rugby shirts that I kept to remind me of him."
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyJamie received great acting advice from his late father
Jamie Harris
Richard's youngest son is the actor Jamie Harris, who has starred in major blockbusters like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Jamie made his acting debut in 1993's crime thriller, In the Name of the Father, acting alongside the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis and Dame Emma Thompson. He has also made appearances in the likes of The Killing of John Lennon, The Green Hornet, Kingdom, Carnival Row and Brave the Dark, the latter of which was directed and co-written by his eldest brother.
Speaking to India Today, Jamie revealed how his late father helped him get over the nerves when he made his debut. "I called up my father on the day of filming and told him that I have no idea what to do," he revealed. "He asked me to go to the set early, so I did and there was no one else there, the set was empty.
"My dad said re-imagine the scene in your head and act it out now, how it's going to play. Then choose an area, sit down, make that place your own as if you are the king on a throne. Do not move from that position and do not stand up, and that's what I did. It was great advice because the worst thing you could do as an actor is fidget. You have to be very still. I sat there and I did the whole scene. That was the first advice my father ever gave to me in acting."
© Getty ImagesRichard welcomed his children with his first wife
Richard's famous wives
Richard shares his three children with his first wife, Elizabeth Rees-Williams, the daughter of the Labour politician David Rees-Williams. Although she tried to become an actress, she was shot down by the principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
However, Elizabeth still had an amazing life, and in 1954, she was presented as a debutante to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She and Richard were married between 1957 and 1969, and she subsequently married the actor Rex Harrison and the Conservative MP Jonathan Aitken. Elizabeth passed away at the age of 85 on 15 April 2022.
His second marriage was to the actress and model Ann Turkel, who he was married to between 1974 and 1982. Ann, who remained friends with the actor following their divorce, has appeared in the likes of Knight Rider, Highlander, Deep Space and Portrait of a Hitman.
