Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role as half-giant Hargrid in the Harry Potter films, has passed away. The actor also made appearances in the James Bond movies Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough as well as the ITV detective drama Cracker.
His agent, Belinda Wright, confirmed the actor’s death in a hospital close to Falkirk, Scotland, in a statement. In addition to calling Coltrane a “special talent,” she said that his portrayal of Hagrid “gave delight to children and adults alike all around the world.”
“For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client, said Wright. “As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him. He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy. Please respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.”
Coltrane was born was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950. Her attended independent school Glenalmond College in Perth and Kinross. He was the son of teacher and pianist Jean Ross and GP Ian Baxter McMillan. The actor’s career began in 1979 with the TV show Play for Today, but he rose to fame in the BBC comedy series A Kick Up the Eighties, which also starred Rik Mayall, Tracey Ullman, and Miriam Margolyes.
Daniel Radcliffe. who starred along with Coltrane in all eight Harry Potter films, said in a statement,
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on that set. I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban, when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling called Coltrane “incredible talent” and “a complete one-off.”
Robbie Coltrane was 72.
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
Source: BBC