Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72. The actor was best known for his role of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. Several actors from the Harry Potter film series react emotionally to the death of their colleague.
We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the magnificent Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid with such kindness, heart and humour in the Harry Potter films. He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/CCofb6BMo6
— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) October 14, 2022
The actor died in a hospital near his home in the Scottish town of Larbert, his agent Belinda Wright told BBC News on Friday. Nothing has yet been announced about the cause of death, but Deadline reported earlier this year that the actor had been ill for some time.
The legacy of Robbie Coltrane will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/sTsRZVDwRV
— HBO Max (@hbomax) October 14, 2022
“Robbie is a unique talent” , Belinda Wright begins her statement. “He will likely be remembered as Hagrid for decades to come, a role that brought so much joy to children and adults alike and which has sparked a flood of fan letters over the past two decades.”
Earlier this year, Coltrane himself spoke during a Harry Potter reunion on HBO Max about the impact the films have. “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children. So you could easily watch them in 50 years. I won’t be there, unfortunately… but Hagrid will. ”
Robbie Coltrane’s passing is a tragic loss to the world. He was an exceptional actor whose talent knew no bounds. He was beloved to Bond audiences as Valentin Zukovsky in GOLDENEYE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH as well as to millions who saw him in his multitude of roles. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/hrEXPMN8UJ
— James Bond (@007) October 14, 2022
But Coltrane, whose real name was Anthony Robert McMillan, was known for much more than just his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter series. He starred in more than fifty films and series. He also appeared as the ex-KGB agent Valentin Zukovsky in the James Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. And in the early 1990s, Coltrane played a forensic psychologist on the British detective series Cracker.
For the latter role, Coltrane won three BAFTAs, the most famous British film and television awards, in the 1990s. He won the Best Actor award for this role in 1994, 1995 and 1996. In 2002, he was again nominated for a BAFTA, in the Supporting Actor category, for his portrayal of Hagrid. The actor just couldn’t win this prize.
Many of Coltrane’s Harry Potter colleagues react emotionally to his death. Daniel Radcliff, for example, said in a statement to American media that Coltrane was “one of the funniest people” he has ever met. “I feel incredibly lucky to have met and work with him and I am very sad that he passed away. He was a great actor and a lovely man.”
Co-player Emma Watson feels the same way. “You were the nicest uncle I ever had,” she wrote in an Instagram story. ” I will really miss your kindness, your nicknames, your warmth, your smile and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were for us.” Harry Potter colleagues Tom Felton and Bonnie Wright and JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, share similar memories via social media.
I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 14, 2022
Coltrane had two children, whom he had with his ex-wife, whom he divorced in 2003. His manager says they would like to thank the staff at the Scottish hospital where he stayed for their “care and confidentiality”. She calls on people to respect the privacy of the family.
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