Today is a sad, sad day. Beloved Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who produced a prolific body of work spanning over four decades, passed away on October 14, 2022, Deadline reports. He died at a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland, after two years of ill health. He was 72 years old.
Coltrane has 114 credits on IMDb. Most know him for portraying Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise. Hagrid is a boisterous, vibrant, half-human, half-giant who serves as the gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. He appeared in all eight movies from 2001 to 2011.
Coltrane was born as Anthony Robert McMillan, OBE, on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, Scotland. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art before launching his career as an actor, writer and comedian. He worked the comedy and theater circuit in his early twenties. Coltrane first burst onto the TV scene in 1979 in the British anthology dramedy series Play for Today.
RELATED: 007 Will Return When James Bond Drops on Prime Video
He starred in the sketch comedy series Alfresco in 1983 opposite Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie. He reunited with Thompson again for 1987’s short-lived dramedy series Tutti Frutti. Then, in 1993, he co-wrote and directed an episode of The Comic Strip Presents.
In addition to Harry Potter, the actor also had a plum role in two James Bond flicks, 1995’s GoldenEye and 1999’s The World Is Not Enough, as Valentin Zukovsky. Coltrane also took center stage in the ITV crime drama Cracker, which ran from 1993 to 2006, as Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald.
After Harry Potter, Coltrane’s credits included 2012’s Brave and Great Expectations, a 2016 Hulu miniseries called National Treasure which he starred in opposite Julie Walters, and two episodes of Urban Myths as Orson Welles in 2019 and 2020. His last onscreen appearance is as himself in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which aired on New Year’s Day 2022.
Coltrane is survived by two children.
RELATED: TV Review: The Sandman Is a Bewitching, Dreamy Thrill Ride
Daniel Radcliffe, star of Harry Potter, penned a beautiful tribute to the late actor:
Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set. 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.
Rest in Peace, dear Robbie. You left an indelible mark on the entertainment world. Your work will live in perpetuity, especially for those of us who grew up watching you play the gentlest of giants.
Harry Potter Turns 20! Here Are 20 Spells We Wish We Could Use
Melody.McCune@geekgirlauthority.com
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- Breaking Down the HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Teaser - December 2, 2023
- HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Gets Teaser, First-Look Images and New Cast Announcements - December 2, 2023
- The World Is on the Brink in First Teaser for THE BOYS Season 4 - December 2, 2023
