Historical Figure
Richard Harris
1930–2002
American gridiron football player (1948–2011)
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Biography
Richard Drew Harris was an American professional football player who was a defensive end who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American in 1970 for Grambling and was selected in the first round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, the first defensive player chosen. Harris was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1971 and was widely regarded as one of the fastest defensive linemen in professional football before being hobbled by knee injuries.
Timeline
The story of Richard Harris, told in moments.
Starred in This Sporting Life as a bitter rugby league player. Won the Best Actor award at Cannes. He was 32 and suddenly famous.
Recorded "MacArthur Park," a seven-minute pop song about a cake melting in the rain. It reached number two in the US. He wasn't a trained singer.
Starred in the original film of A Man Called Horse. He did many of his own stunts, including being suspended by hooks through his chest during the Sun Vow ceremony.
Cast as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He took the role at 71 after his granddaughter threatened never to speak to him if he turned it down.
Died of Hodgkin's disease in London at 72. He'd completed filming Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets weeks before. Michael Gambon replaced him.
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