Robbie Coltrane, the actor best known for playing the beloved Rubeus Hagrid in Harry Potter, died on Friday at age 72.
Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright confirmed that the Scottish actor, who she described as a “unique talent” had died in a hospital near his home in Scotland.
“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years,” Wright said in her statement.
“For me personally, I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client… 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,” she said.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to Coltrane after news of his passing broke, saying,
“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 JK Rowling also released a statement about Coltrane, expressing her sadness for his passing and acknowledging how grateful she is to have known and worked with him.
“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.”
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
While Coltrane was best known for his role in the Harry Potter movies, he also starred in two James Bond films and the British drama series Cracker, for which he won three BAFTA best actor awards.
Coltrane was also nominated for BAFTA awards for the Channel 4 drama National Treasure as well as BBC Scotland’s Tutti Frutti.
Coltrane’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but Deadline reported that he “had been in ill health for the past two years.” He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice, and their mother Rhona Gemmell.