Some characters from the Harry Potter series do not appear in both the books and the films. The movies particularly lack representation of certain beings that are more prominent in the books. Among these are the Ghosts of Hogwarts, who frequently appear throughout the series. Recently, we remembered the passing of a beloved British actor who portrayed a character, the Fat Monk, on-screen and who died on March 9th.
Who is Simon Fisher Becker?
Simon Fisher Becker was born in 1961 and spent both his beginnings and endings in London. He kicked off his career in 1990 with his first television screenplay that, according to Forbes, was a compilation of short films and theater by emerging British filmmakers. In his later work, he lent his voice to Agent Tony Simon in the audio series "Hawk Chronicle" from 2018 to 2025. While he took on numerous roles, he is particularly noted for his time on the long-running science fiction series "Doctor Who."
In 2001, he portrayed the Fat Monk in the first Harry Potter film, where he joyfully moved along one of the tables in the Great Hall. It would have been delightful to see him expand upon that role as he encouraged fellow ghosts to show empathy towards Peeves or welcomed first-year students, hoping to see them sorted into Hufflepuff.
The news of Simon’s passing was shared by his husband Anthony, who stated, "I have some very sad news. Simon passed away at 2:50 PM today." His agent, Kim Barry, expressed her grief, noting that she lost a close friend of 15 years as well as a client. Barry highlighted his talents, calling him a "writer, Lacontur, and great speaker… who was kind, elegant, and attentive." Actor Dominique G. Martin also paid tribute, stating:
"A legend in both the show and the community. I couldn’t meet him properly, but the friends I worked with truly reflect his character."
As fans of his contributions to the Wizarding World and beyond, we join in mourning the loss of this remarkable artist. Whenever I watch "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone," I feel his absence.
