Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, who has died at the age of 72. The pair worked together over the course of eight films from 2001-2011.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Radcliffe’s statement reads. “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.”
While Coltrane is best known for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, he was also a member of the James Bond franchise, having appeared in 1995’s GoldenEye and 1999’s The World Is Not Enough. Earlier this year, Coltrane appeared in HBO Max’s Harry Potter 20th anniversary special, Return to Hogwarts, along with Radcliffe and other stars like Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
Read more: Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane dies aged 72
Writing on Twitter, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling honored Coltrane with a post, 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.”
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, also wrote on Twitter: “Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn’t give a f–k and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x”
Meanwhile, Ginny Weasley actress Bonnie Wright posted a heartfelt tribute to Coltrane on Instagram. The caption for said post read: "Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. Robbie always treated me and my fellow cast mates when we were wee kids like equal professionals on a film set. A type of attitude that instilled confidence and a sense of togetherness. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family. Rest In Peace."
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley alongside real-life brother Oliver (who played George), wrote on Twitter: "I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun.And I'll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said "Enjoy it, you'll be great". Thank you for that x"
Coltrane’s agent confirmed he died at a hospital in Scotland but did not share the cause. He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, ex-wife Rhona Gemmell and children Spencer, 30, and Alice, 24.
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