Robbie Coltrane, a seasoned Scottish actor best known for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” movie series, passed away on Friday at the age of 72.
According to Coltrane’s representative Belinda Wright, he passed away in a Scottish hospital. She omitted a reason.
The actor, born Anthony Robert McMillan, starred in several movies and TV series, but “Harry Potter” fans may recognize him best as Hagrid, Hogwarts’ amiable half-giant groundskeeper who served as Harry’s guide through the wizarding world.
Coltrane became well-known for his part as Dr. Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the British drama “Cracker” on ITV, which aided law enforcement in solving murders. He won three BAFTA awards in a row for best actor for his performance as a criminal psychologist. Coltrane received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
In the James Bond films “GoldenEye” and “The World is Not Enough,” he also played a Russian mafia leader. In the 2016 miniseries “National Treasure,” Coltrane received acclaim for his portrayal of an adored TV personality who could be hiding a sinister secret.
Along with voice work in the animated movies, “The Tale of Despereaux” (with “Potter” co-star Emma Watson) and “Brave,” the actor also had appearances in the 2004 film “Ocean’s Twelve,” Rian Johnson’s 2008 feature “The Brothers Bloom,” and the 2012 Dickens adaption “Great Expectations.”
In “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” an HBO Max special detailing how young readers all across the world “fall in love” with author J.K. Rowling’s literature, Coltrane made an appearance.
Coltrane remarked in the show, “One of the reasons I appreciate J.K. so much is because millions now read books who would have never picked up a book in their life.” “And then it dawns on you the power of writing.”
Rowling has been under fire in recent years for remarks she made on the transgender community that confused sex with gender and advocated theories that claimed to alter one’s biological sex jeopardized one’s own gender identity. Even after the posts were widely criticized for being transphobic, inaccurate, and harmful, she has persisted. Last August, Coltrane supported Rowling, saying people who objected to her remarks were “ready to be offended.”
In addition to being a fantastic performer, he was also “forensically educated, wonderfully humorous, and after 40 years of being pleased to be called his agent, I shall miss him,” according to Wright.
Coltrane’s sister Annie Rae, his ex-wife Rhona Gemmell, and his children Spencer and Alice are still alive, according to Wright.