Actor Robbie Coltrane, who was most famous for his legendary role as the loyal and loving half-giant gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, in all the Harry Potter movies, and as Dr. Fitz in the British series Cracker, passed away on Friday at the age of 72.
The news was announced by his agent, Belinda Wright.
Coltrane was rumored to have had serious health issues earlier this year after he was forced to pull out of London’s Comic Con in June due to medical reasons.
In 2019, the actor was spotted using a wheelchair as he awaited knee surgery amid his ongoing battle with osteoarthritis after his doctors told him to lose weight or face a life of immobility. Prior to his knee operation, a source revealed that “Robbie has been in constant pain for years now, with his knee constantly deteriorating”.
As soon as the news of his death was announced, condolences started pouring from everywhere, his fans, co-stars, and all the people who knew him.
His colleagues and co-stars from the Harry Potter movies also shared their fondest memories with him:
Harry Potter Author, JK Rowling
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character Harry Potter, remembered his Harry Potter co-star in a statement that read:
Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the 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.
Emma Watson
The actress who played Hermione Granger posted this heartbreaking statement on Instagram:
Tom Felton
The Draco Malfoy actor recalled his co-star in this note on Instagram:
Warwick Davis
The actor who played Professor Flitwick said, “I was saddened to learn that fellow Harry Potter cast member, Robbie Coltrane died today. Always jovial, he brought warmth, light, and laughter to any set he walked on to. RIP Robbie, Beloved Giant of comedy”.
James Phelps
James Phelps, who played Fred of the Weasley twins, posted the following note with a sweet memory:
Oliver Phelps
The other Phelps twin who played George Weasley recalled:
Matthew Lewis
The actor who portrayed the role of Neville Longbottom said, “Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier, He didn’t give a f*** and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times”.
Bonnie Wright
The Ginny Weasley actress wrote: “Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane, Hagrid was my favorite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family”.
Stephen Fry
He starred with Coltrane in the comedy series Alfresco.
Hugh Laurie
Coltrane’s Blackadder co-star also recalled his best memories with the late actor:
I hope it’s OK to spout memories: I used to ride with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his sort-of-restored MGA. I’d roll him cigarettes while he discoursed on the ways of the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) October 14, 2022
Tony Robinson
Robbie! You were such a sweet man and so talented as a comic and as a straight actor. ‘Dictionary’ was my favourite episode of the Adder ever and it was all down to you mate. Rest well x
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) October 14, 2022
The Handpicked and Beloved Hagrid Actor
Robbie Coltrane was the first actor to be cast in the Harry Potter movies after its author, JK Rowling, personally picked him to play the character of the loveable half-giant-half-human, Rubeus Hagrid.
Coltrane recalled his time on the films and Hagrid’s impact during the HBO Max special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts and said, “Everybody in the world would like a really big, huge, strong, good man on their side, simple as that. That’s the attraction of Superman and these things”.
He added,
Hagrid was always obviously the good guy, wasn’t he?
At a reunion show for the whole Harry Potter cast this year, Coltrane said that people will still be watching the movies in 50 years.
He remarked,
I won’t be here, sadly, but Hagrid will.
Other Notable Work
Coltrane made his screen debut in Death Watch in 1980 before going on to perform in the comic movies The Supergrass (1985) and The Pope Must Diet (1991).
He was well-known for appearing on the popular comedy shows The Young Ones and The Comic Strip Presents.
He starred alongside Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Dame Emma Thompson in the sketch series Alfresco from 1983 to 1984, and reunited with Dame Emma for the BBC miniseries Tutti Frutti in which he played Big Jazza, for which he received his first BAFTA nomination.
Coltrane gained further fame starring as criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker from 1993 to 1995, and in a special return episode in 2006. The role secured him a BAFTA award for Best Actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.
He also played a former KGB agent-turned-mafia lord in two Bond movies — Goldeneye and The World is Not Enough — in the 1990s.
Coltrane married Rhona Gemmell in 1999 but the couple later divorced in 2003. They had two children — Spencer and Alice.
