Harry Potter fan-favourite, Robbie "Hagrid" Coltrane, has passed away
The gentle giant in the Harry Potter series has fallen.
The loveable and immensely talented actor Robbie Coltrane has passed away.
Coltrane, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was 72. His cause of death has still not been revealed.
Coltrane became hugely popular for his beautiful portrayal as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series.
In many fans' opinion, this quote above is Hagrid's greatest line, and one that has become incredibly iconic over time.
Why?
It was the moment he helped Harry Potter finally learnt exactly who he is and what he is capable of.
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This pivotal moment gave us goosebumps after the mystery of the letters bombarding Privet Drive.
Speaking to Variety, lead actor Daniel Radcliffe had the following to say about Robbie Coltrane:
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.
His illustrious career spanned forty-four years, with many memorable performances - including his role as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in the Pierce Brosnan-era James Bond films - GoldenEye and the World is Not Enough.
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Watch the news insert on Sky News in the video below:
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Coltrane gained prominence starring as criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the television series Cracker (1993–2006). This role saw him receive the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for three consecutive years (1994 to 1996).
Watch some of Hagrid's best Harry Potter moments below:
As a Harry Potter fan, we will always remember Hagrid for his incredibly gentle - but pivotal - role in the franchise.
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In the 2022 Harry Potter Reunion, Coltrane summed up his impact on the world in seven words; and we couldn't agree more!
I'll Not be here… but Hagrid will!
Watch Robbie Coltrane talk about his character as Hagrid in the Harry Potter Reunion:
Coltrane passed away in his home country of Scotland.
Robbie Coltrane was appointed an OBE in 2006 by the now-late, Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to drama.
He joins the unfortunate list of Harry Potter characters we've lost over the years, which include; Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Helen McRory (Narcissa Malfoy), Verne Troyer, Richard Harris (original Dumbledore), and more.
Read more: Emma Thompson’s moving tribute to Alan Rickman
You can see the full list of Harry Potter stars who have passed away since on People in this piece titled, 'Remembering the Harry Potter Actors We've Lost Through the Years'.
We'll leave you with this powerful advice Hagrid gave Harry - which we can all apply to our lives:
“Don’t you worry, Harry. You’ll learn fast enough. Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts, you’ll be just fine. Just be yerself. I know it’s hard. Yeh’ve been singled out, an’ that’s always hard. But yeh’ll have a great time at Hogwarts — I did — still do, ‘smatter of fact. I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with.’ An’ he was right. Yeh don’ have ter be ashamed of what yeh are. No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it. What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.”
Thank you, Robbie, for the incredible memories you leave behind.
Rest well, you wizard.
Image credit: James Hance