“He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”
Tributes have poured in for the acclaimed actor Robbie Coltrane following his death aged 72.
Best known for his roles in the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises, as well as for starring in ’90s crime drama series Cracker, the Scottish actor passed away in a hospital near his home in Larbert, his agent confirmed to Deadline on Friday.
He is reported to have been in ill health for the last two years.
A number of Coltrane’s co-stars have paid tribute to him, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Radcliffe said Coltrane was one of the funniest people he has ever met and that he used to keep the child actors in the Harry Potter movies “laughing constantly” on 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,” Radcliffe 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.”
Meanwhile, Watson shared a statement on her Instagram account about Coltrane that read:
“Robbie was like the most fun uncle I’ve ever had, but most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult.
“His talent was so immense that it made sense he played a giant — he could fill any space with his brilliance.
“Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I adore and admire you.
“I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us.
“There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.”
Stephen Fry, who worked with Coltrane on the TV shows Alfresco and Blackadder, said he was “awe/terror/love struck all at the same time” after meeting the actor for the first time almost 40 years ago.
Fry also stated that Coltrane had such “depth, power and talent” and was funny enough to “cause helpless hiccups and honking”.
I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago. I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time. Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, “Alfresco”. Farewell, old fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) October 14, 2022
In another Tweet, Hugh Laurie also paid tribute to Coltrane writing: “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.”
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
Meanwhile, Coltrane’s agent, Belinda Wright, described the actor as a “unique talent”, adding his role as Hagrid “brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world”.
“For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client,” she added.
“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 memorably played Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series and played forensic psychologist Dr Edward ‘Fitz’ Coltrane in Cracker.
For the latter, he won three consecutive BAFTA Best Actor awards.
Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.
You can read more tributes to the actor below.
Before Cracker made him a national treasure, I first loved Robbie Coltrane for his anarchic roles in every cool comedy going, The Supergrass, A Kick Up the 80s, Blackadder, but especially The Young Ones, destroying the cast with a dropped eclair & then feeding it to an elephant. pic.twitter.com/GpZP7zUzhT
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 15, 2022
The brilliant, delightful and ridiculously funny Robbie Coltrane has left us. What a fab actor and man he was. Love to his family. RIP Robbie.x
— Jack Dee (@TheRealJackDee) October 14, 2022
Rip to the great Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane. He played the curmudgeonly ticket taker in “Let It Ride”. His deadpan observational humor was a brilliant counterpoint to the frantic gambling degeneracy of @RichardDreyfuss. pic.twitter.com/Zaqxj7TRMT
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) October 14, 2022
Robbie Coltrane, Comic Performer Who Played Hagrid in ‘Harry Potter’ Movies, Dies at 72 https://t.co/QwhMJhd4HT via @thr – This is awful news. Rob was the real thing. Condolences to his family. Big love big https://t.co/KwC0VNS7ZA
— Lenny Henry (@LennyHenry) October 14, 2022
I worked with Robbie on Cracker. Later at the first Harry Potter premiere I introduced my 9 year old daughter to him. She almost collapsed with excitement. He made her sit at his table and he spent easily 45 minutes chatting to her. I’ll be eternally grateful for his kindness.
— liam cunningham (@liamcunningham1) October 14, 2022
Very sad news. He had such range and depth as an actor, from brilliant comedy to hard-edged drama. I think my favourite of all his roles was Fitz in Cracker.
Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend – you will be hugely missed. RIP https://t.co/z9OCf4c83p— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 14, 2022
RIP #RobbieColtrane a huge talent across every genre. A wonderful warm witty and generous soul. pic.twitter.com/DXgQXRwgZy
— Sanjeev Bhaskar💙 (@TVSanjeev) October 14, 2022
I was saddened to learn that fellow #HarryPotter 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.x pic.twitter.com/NGT644dA7K
— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) October 14, 2022
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