David Ryall, a veteran British actor who was widely known for his role as the wizard Elphias Doge in the Harry Potter films, died on Christmas Day at the age of 79, according to BBC News.
"Sherlock" series writer and actor Mark Gatiss was one of the first to comment on Ryall's death on Twitter, BBC News reported.
"The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP," Gatiss tweeted.
Ryall had been involved on the TV, theatre and film scene for more than five decades, including the film "The Elephant Man" and TV series like "Outnumbered," BBC News reported.
Ryall was best known in recent years for his role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 after he took Peter Cartwright's place as Elphias Doge in 2013, according to BBC News. Ryall's character Doge was a Ministry of Magic jurist and friend to Albus Dumbledore.
Ryall also starred in "Lytton's Diary," "Goodnight Sweetheart," and "The Singing Detective" among many others. Ryall also had a role in the British House of Cards trilogy final two episodes of the last season, BBC News reported. His most recent film named Autómata featuring Antonio Banderas released in September 2014.
TV writer David Brown said in a Tweet: "RIP David Ryall - one of the best Inspector Morse baddies. Derek Whittaker - driving test psycho who tried to knife Morse."
Actor Clive Merrison Tweeted: "I'm so sorry to hear David Ryall has died. He was a wonderful actor and a dear colleague."
Ryall is survived by a son, Jonathan, and two daughters, Imogen and Charlie, according to BBC News.
