Dave Legeno dead: Harry Potter actor 'died from heat stroke' while hiking in Death Valley

The actor and MMA expert was found dead in Death Valley desert in California and was discovered on Sunday

Harry Potter actor David Legeno died from heat stroke in Death Valley, California, where temperature regularly exceeds 100F, according to reports.

According to TMZ.com, Inyo County officials say an autopsy was performed and the cause of death has been determined as heat stroke.

The mixed martial arts expert - who played werewolf Fenrir Greyback in three of the Harry Potter movies - had been hiking in the desert.

The body of the 50-year-old was discovered by hikers in a remote wash below Manly Beacon, West of Zabriskie Point, on Sunday.

There were no signs of foul play.

Death Valley, a basin 282ft below sea level, is the hottest, driest national park in the US.

MCT

Death Valley National Park

 

Daily temperatures often reach 49C, around 120F, while at night they can drop as low as -9.4C. The highest recorded temperature is 56.7C.

London-born Dave worked as a bouncer and wrestler before he took up boxing and started working in the movie industry.

His first major film role was in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. He then appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies.

Dave, whose daughter Wendy is in her twenties, began his professional MMA career at the age of 42, and was nicknamed The Enforcer.

Last night friends and professionals paid tribute to the actor and fighter.

  

Fellow Potter actor Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in all the films, has paid tribute to Dave in a moving message on Instagram.

Tom wrote: "Dave Legeno. It was always a pleasure. He was a great talent with a heart of gold and always had time for anyone.

"Dave was a soft, kind gentleman off screen but had the skill to be the complete opposite on screen.

"He taught me lots, You will be missed mate xx #DaveLegeno."

He tweeted shortly before: "Gutted to hear the sad news about Dave Legeno. He was a true Big, Friendly, Gentleman. Was a pleasure every time we met #BFG #DaveLegeno."

Meanwhile MMA professional fighter Don Frye said: “Just found out my good friend Dave Legeno’s body was found in Death Valley. It was too soon for a man that good.”

Warner Bros

dave-legeno

Speaking at a fan convention in 2013 about Harry Potter, Dave said how much he loved filming the series.

“The way I was treated when I walked on set,” he said. “They treat you like you are one of the family. The people you work with make it good.

“Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were all like, ‘Hi Dave, how are you?’.

“They are friendly and not overly serious. Once the cameras stop
rolling we are cracking jokes and having fun.”

Speaking about the new fans he received as a result of the Harry Potter blockbusters, he said: “It is good meeting the fans and seeing how excited they are.

“The main question I get asked is how long it takes to put my make-up on. The make-up takes two-and-a-half hours but it takes someone a week to prepare the prosthetics.

“I would forget I was wearing it and speak to people normally.”