A Harry Potter star has spoken out about the death of fellow actor Robbie Coltrane, and shared the reason why he didn't attend his funeral.
Rupert Grint shot to worldwide fame at 11-years-old for his portrayal of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, reports the Daily Record. He revealed recently that he did not attend the Scottish actor's funeral.
The 34-year-old said that while losing Robbie was 'particularly tough', he didn't attend the service and said: "I don’t claim to know him outside work."
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The Scottish star, who played Hagrid in the popular franchise, sadly died of complications in October 2022, aged 72.
According to Robbie's death certificate, he died due to a host of different health conditions - including multiple organ failure with other causes listed including diabetes, obesity and sepsis.
Following the actor's death, Rupert wrote a heartfelt tribute to Robbie on social media, calling him: "A giant-hearted man who was still looking out for us, decades later."
In a lengthy post, the actor wrote: "Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue- a wonderful combination. No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie. Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life- warm, compassionate, and hilarious."
He concluded by saying: "A giant-hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser."
Robbie wasn't the first Harry Potter star that Rupert lost, as Richard Harris – who played Dumbledore in the first two movies – died when the young star was just 13.
Speaking to GQ Hype, Grint said the news was ‘hard to contemplate’ at such a young age. He said: "I was 13, in a hotel promoting the second movie, when I was told [about Harris’ death].
"It was a hard thing to contemplate."
Rupert also had a close relationship with famous actor Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape in the movies. Alan sadly passed away from cancer in 2016.
It was said that when Rupert made his Broadway debut in 2014, in it’s Only A Play, Alan was in the audience. Speaking of his late colleagues as ‘family’, saying: "Not parents, but uncles or grandparents. They all had this kind of subconscious presence in my life.
“They weren’t the kind of people to sit you down and give you a formal talk, or dispense advice. But I loved being around them and observing them.”
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