Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in Harry Potter films passed away on Friday October 14 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland. Details about the reasons of his passing are not specified but referred as a two-year illness. He lived with osteoarthritis since 2016 which had him using a wheelchair from 2019. Coltrane is survived by his Children Spencer and Allen and his sister Annie Rae.
Robbie Coltrane was his stage name, he was born as Anthony Robert McMillan in March 1950 and decided to use Coltrane as his stage last name in honor of jazz musician John Coltrane. His career as an actor started in theater and television in 1979 and his film debut was in 1980. He received several awards and recognitions for his work including the British Academy television Award. In 2006 he was appointed an OBE (order of chivalry) by Queen Elizabeth II. Among his most recognized characters are Valentin Dimitrovich Zukovski (James Bond franchise) and giant Rubeus Hagrid (Harry Potter Franchise).
Hagrid is a character loved by all Harry Potter fans. The giant is present in every book and movie and has an important role as a guide to Harry. He is the one that reveals him that he is a wizard and shows him the wizarding world the first time. Through the story both develop a deep bond. Now with the passing of the actor several cast members have wrote some words about him in social media. Coltrane was as loved as Hagrid and he is described as a kind and funny person. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) wrote in an Instagram story- “Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I love and admire you. I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs”.- Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) described Coltrane as –“ one of the funniest people I’ve met”- and about his passing he stated- “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.”-Other cast members as Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) also remembered the actor in social media.
Coltrane played Hagrid in all Of Harry Potter films and recently appeared in the 20th anniversary documentary: Return to Hogwarts as himself where he made an emotional statement about his role as Hagrid- “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children. So you could be watching it in 50-years time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes.”-