American audiences may only know Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane as the character Hagrid that he portrayed in the Harry Potter film series. He appeared in all seven movies in the franchise, and he also reprised the role in short videos and even the pre-show for a Harry Potter ride.
While Coltrane was certainly an incredible actor in the Harry Potter movies, his career had much more depth. He also stared in the British crime drama “Cracker” and won Best Actor at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards three years in a row. In addition, he acted in two James Bond movies, “Golden Eye” and “The World Is Not Enough.”
Coltrane was one of few actors who was able to portray both good guys and bad guys during his career. Unfortunately, his career is now officially over. His representative from his agency, William Morris Endeavor, confirmed that he died on October 14, 2022. He was 72 years old. His cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but the representative did say that he had been sick and inactive for awhile now.
After hearing the news of Coltrane’s death, many of his former coworkers expressed their condolences. Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the Harry Potter movies, reminisced about Coltrane’s sense of humor and positive attitude. In a statement, he explained, “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.” He added, “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.”
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, called Coltrane “an incredible talent.” She added that she felt “beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off 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. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 14, 2022
The Harry Potter Film twitter account also posted a tribute to Coltrane writing, “He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed.”
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/n1IshfFG6y
— Harry Potter Film (@HarryPotterFilm) October 14, 2022
Coltrane is survived by his wife and two children.