HARRY Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72, his agent has said.
The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid 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 Potter films.
“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.
“James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
“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 to called his Agent, I shall miss him.”
Born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950, Coltrane was the son of teacher and pianist Jean Ross and general practitioner Ian Baxter McMillan, and was educated at independent school Glenalmond College in Perth and Kinross.
He later attended Glasgow School of Art and Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh and moved into acting in his 20s.
He starred alongside Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Dame Emma Thompson in the sketch series Alfresco in 1983 to 1984, and reunited with Thompson for the BBC miniseries Tutti Frutti where he played Big Jazza, for which he received his first Bafta nomination.
Coltrane gained further fame starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker from 1993 to 1995 and in a special return episode in 2006.
The role secured him the Bafta award for best actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.
Arguably his best-known role came in the Harry Potter film series as he starred in all eight movies as Rubeus Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
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.
Fry has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Coltrane.
“I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago,” Fry tweeted.
“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.”
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
And First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also paid her respects to the late actor.
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
She tweeted: "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."
Laurie, who acted alongside Coltrane in the period sitcom Blackadder and in the sketch series Alfresco, recalled fond memories of his time with the actor.
“I hope it’s OK to spout memories: I used to ride with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his sort-of-restored MGA,” Laurie tweeted.
“I’d roll him cigarettes while he discoursed on the ways of the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life.”
Fellow Blackadder star Tony Robinson described him as “such a sweet man” and “so talented as a comic and as a straight actor”.
Robbie! You were such a sweet man and so talented as a comic and as a straight actor. ‘Dictionary’ was my favourite episode of the Adder ever and it was all down to you mate. Rest well x
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) October 14, 2022
He added in a post to Twitter: “‘Dictionary’ was my favourite episode of the Adder ever and it was all down to you mate. Rest well x”
Among Coltrane’s plethora of starring roles was an appearance in the Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough as KGB man Valentin Zukovsky alongside Pierce Brosnan’s 007.
The franchise’s long-term producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, described the actor’s death as a “tragic loss to the world”.
In a joint post to Twitter, they added: “He was an exceptional actor whose talent knew no bounds.
“He was beloved to Bond audiences as Valentin Zukovsky in GOLDENEYE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH as well as to millions who saw him in his multitude of roles.
“We shall miss him as a dear friend. Rest in peace Robbie.”
Harry Potter stars were also among those who remembered their time with Coltrane fondly.
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the fantasy series, described Coltrane as “a giant, in more ways than one”.
“Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier,” Lewis wrote in a post on Twitter.
“He didn’t give a f*** and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x”
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, said she was “heartbroken” by the news of Coltrane’s death.
She added in her post to Twitter: “Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly.
“Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family.”
James Phelps, who starred as her brother Fred Weasley in the films, recalled his first memory of the actor while paying tribute.
“I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun,” Phelps tweeted.
“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.”
His twin brother Oliver, who played opposite him as George Weasley, recalled a sweet memory from their Harry Potter premiere in London in 2001 where Coltrane told them: “Soak this in lads, its like a Rolls-Royce for your first car’!”
Phelps added: “Over the years we had some great chats about history and travel. Rest in peace Robbie x”
The official Twitter account for the Harry Potter films also described Coltrane as a “wonderful actor”.
Sharing a photo of him dressed as the beloved Hagrid to Twitter, they wrote: “We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the magnificent Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid with such kindness, heart and humour in the Harry Potter films.
“He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed.”
Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo also said he had an “amazing time” working with Coltrane on the 2008 film The Brothers Bloom.
Glasgow School of Art’s creative network manager, Sam de Santis, also paid tribute to the “much-loved” Coltrane, who attended the art school as a young actor.
In a statement, he said: ““We are all saddened to hear the news of the death of Robbie Coltrane. He is a much-loved GSA alumnus who will be missed by us all.
“Whilst internationally known for his acting career Robbie embodied the way in which studying at an art school opens up myriad opportunities to realise creative potential.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Coltrane was also known for his roles as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in ITV’s crime drama Cracker.
The role secured him the Bafta award for best actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.
He also starred alongside Laurie, Stephen Fry and Dame Emma Thompson in the sketch series Alfresco in 1983 to 1984, and reunited with Dame Emma for the BBC miniseries Tutti Frutti where he played Big Jazza, for which he received his first Bafta nomination.
