Stars of the screen have been paying tribute to the Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane who has died aged 72. The Scottish star was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and criminal psychologist Dr Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in ITV’s crime drama Cracker.
His agent of 40 years Belinda Wright said that the 72 year old died on Friday (October 14), adding: “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.”
Celebrity friend and colleague Stephen Fry said he would miss Coltrane's "depth, power and talent".
“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.”
James Phelps who played Fred Weasley alongside Coltrane in the Harry Potter films said 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"
JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, said: "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.”
The Reverend Richard Coles shared a funny memory, tweeting: "Very sorry to hear Robbie Coltrane has died. We shared a dressing room once and he had the biggest pants I have ever seen, which he wore with tremendous flair. We were friends from then on."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon even weight in, saying: "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"
