Celebrity

‘You’ll be so dreadfully missed’: Tributes flow for iconic actor Robbie Coltrane

Matthew Hart
Oct 16, 2022
Source: Getty Images.

Scottish actor and comedian Robbie Coltrane, who gained worldwide praise for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series has passed away at the age of 72.

Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright released a statement confirming the star’s passing on Friday, October 14 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Scotland.

“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,” Wright said.

“He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.

“Please respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.”

Born March 30, 1950 in Rutherglen, Scotland, Coltrane began his acting career in his early twenties with an appearance in the theatre production of  The Slab Boys, at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1978.

His knack for comedy secured him roles in The Comic Strip Presents (1982–2012) series, as well as the comedy sketch, show Alfresco (1983–1984).

In 1984 he also appeared in A Kick Up the Eighties and Laugh??? and I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee.

He made other television appearances on shows such as The Young Ones, Tutti Frutti and as Samuel Johnson in Blackadder the Third.

In 1989 he played the part of Falstaff in Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V and co-starred with Eric Idle in Nuns on the Run in 1990 and in 1991 played the Pope in The Pope Must Die. He also played a would-be private detective obsessed with Humphrey Bogart in the TV film The Bogie Man in 1992.

His most critically acclaimed role on the small screen came as criminal psychologist, Dr Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, in the British crime drama series Cracker.

The show won the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series in 1995 and 1996 and secured Coltrane the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.

Following his success with Cracker, Coltrane secured roles in the James Bond films GoldenEye in 1995 and The World Is Not Enough in 1999.

However, Coltrane gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.

Following the news of his death, actor Daniel Radcliffe who starred alongside Coltrane in the Harry Potter series released a statement reflecting on the “fond memories” he shared with the actor on set.

“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Radcliffe said.

“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.”

Fellow celebrities and fans alike were quick to pay tribute to Coltrane while sharing their treasured memories of the late star.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling described Coltrane as “an incredible talent” while sending her “deepest condolences to his family”.

English actor and comedian Stephen Fry spoke of Coltrane’s “depth and power”, claiming he will be “so dreadfully missed”.

While British actor Hugh Laurie shared a special memory he shared with Coltrane.

Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice, and their mother, Rhona Gemmell.

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