Harry Potter's Hagrid dies aged 72

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 03 Jan 2023

London: Robbie Coltrane, the larger-than-life Scottish actor who played the beloved half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died on Friday at the age of 72, his agent said.

He also played a former KGB agent-turned-Russian mafia boss in two James Bond films Goldeneye (1995) and The World Is Not Enough (1999) — with Pierce Brosnan.

Coltrane forged a career as an actor, comedian and writer.

On television, he starred alongside Emma Thompson in the cult BAFTA-winning BBC mini-series Tutti Frutti in 1987.

He came to prominence and won more awards for his portrayal of the hard-drinking criminal psychologist Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker (1993-2006).

He was the English author and lexicographer Samuel Johnson in the TV comedy series Blackadder the Third alongside Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie (House).

Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright called Coltrane a "unique talent" and said he had brought joy to children across the world playing the boy wizard's monster-loving friend.

"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," she said in a statement.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling led the tributes on Twitter, writing: "I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again.

"He was an incredible talent, a complete one-off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children."

In a statement, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, 33, called Coltrane "one of the funniest people I've met."

"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," he said of the film released in 2004.

Rubeus Hagrid is the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, the primary setting for the first Harry Potter novels.

Born on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, Anthony Robert McMillan changed his professional name as a homage to celebrated jazz musician John Coltrane.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, with crime series "Cracker" in the 1990s, he showed he could also play serious parts. It was her favourite of his roles.

"Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend - you will be hugely missed," she wrote.

British actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry - a fellow breakout star of the alternative comedy boom - wrote that he had met 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".

Coltrane died in hospital near Falkirk in Scotland, Britain's PA Media reported.

He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice, and their mother Rhona Gemmell, his agent Wright said.