Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72, his agent has said.
The Scottish star, whose real name was Anthony Robert McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies and and starring as criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in ITV’s crime drama Cracker.
His agent of 40 years Belinda Wright said Coltrane died on Friday and thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk in Scotland for their “care and diplomacy”.
In a statement, she added: “Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records‘ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potterfilms.
“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.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the seven installments of the franchise, fondly recalled all the moments he spent with Coltrane, who always kept it light even if it was dark outside.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Radcliffe said in statement.
“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.”
And fellow “Harry Potter” actor James Phelps, who played one of the Weasely twins, recalled being a fresh-faced 14-year-old, nervous on first day on the set in September 2000.
He met Coltrane and the veteran actor reassured him, “Enjoy it, you’ll be great,” according to Phelps.
| 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. The actor is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. |