Robbie Coltrane Has Died At Age 72
Sad news. Robbie Coltrane passed away today at a hospital in Larbert, Scotland. Robbie was perhaps best known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. Other credits include two James Bond movies and the British crime series Cracker. He was 72.
Robbie’s agent, Belinda Wright, confirmed his death in a statement. She called Robbie a “unique talent,” who brought “joy to children and adults alike all over the world” as Hagrid, via BBC:
“For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. 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.”
Robbie Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow. He was the son of a doctor and a teacher. After graduating from Glasgow Art School and Moray House College of Education, he tried to make it as an artist. Unfortunately (or, fortunately, depending on how you look at it), his art career stalled, and he began doing stand-up comedy in Edinburgh. Soon, he moved to London to pursue acting and changed his surname to “Coltrane” in honor of jazz legend John Coltrane.
Robbie’s early TV credits include Flash Gordon, Blackadder, The Comic Strip, and Alfresco. He became a familiar face on British TV screens. But Robbie’s breakout role was antihero Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, in the ITV series Cracker, for which he won three consecutive BAFTAs for best television actor. The series ran from 1993 to 1995. He reprised the role for a special in 1996, and again in 2006. After the series’ original run, Robbie was cast as Valentin Zukovsky in the James Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. He first appeared as Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in 2001’s Harry Potter in the Sorcerer’s Stone. Last year he also took part in the Harry Potter reunion TV special:
Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, paid tribute to Robbie in a statement:
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on that 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.
“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.”
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
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
When I read the Harry Potter books as a kid, I envisioned Hagrid as Chewbacca. I know, I know. It makes no sense, but, remember, I was a stupid idiot child. So imagine my surprise when the fully human Robbie Coltrane popped up on the screen! Despite my initial disappointment that Hagrid was not a Wookiee, I fell in love with Robbie’s portrayal. There was something special about him, he really captured Hagrid’s warm spirit. Robbie’s favorite drink was whisky, so, tonight, raise a tumbler to this Scottish legend.
Pic: Richard Young/startraksphoto.com