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Movies & TV

23rd Oct 2022

Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane, 72, cause of death confirmed

Tobi Akingbade

Robbie Coltrane

“He was forensically intelligent and brilliantly witty”

Robbie Coltraine’s cause of death has been revealed, 10 days after the actor died, at the age of 72.

According to multiple reports, Coltrane died from multiple organ failure. The Cracker star, who played Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise, had been suffering from sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection and heart block, as per various reports of the actor’s death certificate.

News of the Harry Potter star’s death was confirmed by his agent, Belinda Wright, who shared a statement on October 14th.

In a statement, Wright described Coltrane 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 said.

Robbie Coltrane played Hagrid in the series (Picture: Warner Bros)

Robbie Coltrane won three BAFTAs for ‘Cracker’ role

“As well as being a wonderful actor,” Belinda Wright’s statement continued, “Robbie Coltrane 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.”

The award-winning actor had been in ill health for the past two years. Coltrane, memorably played Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter series and played forensic psychologist Dr Edward ‘Fitz’ Coltrane in TV murder drama Cracker.

He won three consecutive BAFTA best actor prizes for the role, an honour only equalled by one other actor, Michael Gambon.

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.

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