Grint grew up around Coltrane on the Harry Potter set.
Rupert Grint has opened up about the devastating effect the passing of Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane had on him, calling the late actor “the most wonderful being”. Coltrane, much loved for his role as half-giant, half-human gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid, died on 14 October, 2022 of multiple organ failure. He was 72.
Grint, 34, worked closely alongside Coltrane, viewing him and the likes of Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape) and Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore in the first two movies) as family. Despite effectively growing up around Coltrane – Grint was just 12 during the first Harry Potter movie – and his obvious affections for him, Grint did not attend the actor’s funeral.
Coltrane, alongside Rickman and Harris were like “uncles or grandparents” to Grint, who told GQ the trio “all had this kind of subconscious presence in my life”. Grint noted the veteran performers “weren’t the kind of people to sit you down and give you a formal talk, or dispense advice,” but he simply “loved being around them and observing them”.
Coltrane’s passing was “particularly tough” for Grint who described the actor as “the most wonderful being”. However, he said he did not know him “outside work”, which is why he didn’t go to Coltrane’s funeral, instead choosing to pay tribute to him on Instagram, where he wrote: “Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue- a wonderful combination.
“No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie. “Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life – warm, compassionate and hilarious. A giant hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser.”
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In HBO Max’s Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts in celebration of the franchise’s 20-year anniversary, Coltrane reflected on the movies coming to an end. The moment was seized upon after his death for its poignance.
He said: “It’s the end of an era. Ten years of my life. My children have grown up during it. The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children… So you could be watching it in 50 year’s time, easily… I’ll not be here, sadly… but Hagrid will, yes.” Despite not being here, I’m sure all fans would agree Hagrid will carry Coltrane’s memory with him too.
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