• david ryall.jpg

david ryall.jpg (Photo : www.thewrap.com)

David Ryall, the actor popular for the character Elphias Doge in the "Harry Potter" series, died on Christmas Day at the age of 79 , BBC News reported.

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No further details were revealed as to the cause of his death.

Ryall journeyed on a five-decade entertainment career across varied platforms such as theatre, TV, and film.

Charlie Ryall, through the social media network Twitter, said, "Please take a short moment to gladly remember his successful five-decade career beyond where most of us see him often- film and TV."

Mark Gatiss, the Sherlock writer acknowledged Ryall "a brilliant, twinkling, wonderful actor; a man I was privileged enough to call a good friend. RIP." Gatiss directed the late Ryall in "The Tractate Middoth" back in 2013.

Ryall started his career on stage before becoming a British TV star. In 1962, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the Royal Dramatic Art Academy. At this time, he was given merit for a musical excellence by the Caryl Brahms Award. In theatre performances, he will never be forgotten for his roles in "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" and the "The School of Wives".

Aside from his popular wizard role in the Harry Potter's seventh-installment, Ryall was known also for being part of "Truly, Madly, Deeply", "The Elephant Man", and "Around the World in 80 Days", as well as, several British miniseries and TV shows, such as "Outnumbered" and "The River, On the Line", "House of Cards", "Goodnight Sweetheart", "Midsomer Murders", "Casualty", "Holby City", and "The Singing Detective".

Ryall is now survived by his music manager, son Jonathan Ryall, and daughters Charlie and Imogen.