Robbie Coltrane: JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe lead tributes as Scottish star of Harry Potter dies aged 72

Harry Potter author JK Rowling, actor Daniel Radcliffe and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have led tributes to Robbie Coltrane, who has died aged 72.

News of the Scottish actor’s death was confirmed by his agent of 40 years, Belinda Wright. She said that Coltrane died on Friday 14 October, and thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk in Scotland, for their “care and diplomacy”.

“Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994/1995/and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon,” she said in a statement.

“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. A role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.

“James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. 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 to called his Agent, I shall miss him.”

Read more tributes to Coltrane in our liveblog.

Key Points

• Daniel Radcliffe says Robbie Coltrane 'used to keep us laughing constantly’

• Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to a 'Scottish entertainment legend’

• JK Rowling describes Robbie Coltrane as 'a complete one off’

From Emma Watson to Nicola Sturgeon

04:30 , Tom Murray

This liveblog has been going for a while now, so my colleague Kevin EG Perry has put together this round-up of the many actors, writers and even politicians who have paid tribute to Coltrane after his passing.

JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Nicola Sturgeon lead tributes to Robbie Coltrane

‘It’s not Hogwarts without you, Hagrid'

02:30 , Tom Murray

Fans are sharing an emotional clip from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets following Coltrane’s death.

In the scene, which comes at the end of the movie, Hagrid approaches Harry, Ron and Hermione and thanks them for proving his innocence.

Harry then stands up and delivers the line that has fans in tears: “It’s not Hogwarts without you, Hagrid.”

Read more below:

Harry Potter fans share emotional Hagrid clip after Robbie Coltrane’s death

Coltrane compared the young Harry Potter stars to his own children

01:00 , Tom Murray

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter franchise last year, Coltrane gave a touching interview in which he reflected on his relationships Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

The three young actors were just 10, 11 and 12, respectively, when they started filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

“Now, they’re big grown-ups with their own lives,” Coltrane said in 2021, acknowledging that Grint was now a father, too.

“Watching them growing up is kind of like watching your own kids grow up.”

Read more here:

Robbie Coltrane compared young Harry Potter stars to his own children

Coltrane reflected on his Harry Potter legacy shortly before his death

Friday 14 October 2022 23:43 , Tom Murray

In HBO’s Return to Hogwarts special airing last year, Coltrane spoke about the legacy he’d created with Rubeus Hagrid.

“The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” he said. “So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easy.”

“I’ll not be here, sadly...” he said, trailing off with a chuckle. “But Hagrid will. Yes.”

Read more here:

Robbie Coltrane reflected on his Harry Potter legacy shortly before death

Emma Watson calls Coltrane ‘the most fun uncle I’ve ever had'

Friday 14 October 2022 23:24 , Tom Murray

On her Instagram Story, Emma Watson – who played Hermione Granger on the series – posted a statement mourning Coltrane.

“Robbie was like the most fun uncle I’ve ever had, but most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult. His talent was so immense that it made sense he played a giant – he could fill ANY space with his brilliance.

“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,” Watson continued.

“Know how much I adore and admire you. I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us.”

‘You are forever loved’: David Thewlis on Robbie Coltrane

Friday 14 October 2022 20:48 , Kevin Perry

David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films, has shared his thoughts on late co-star Robbie Coltrane on Instagram.

“The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie’s fault,” Thewlis wrote. “You are forever loved, dear man, and will be sorely missed.”

Ginny Weasley actor Bonnie Wright ‘heartbroken’ by Robbie Coltrane’s death

Friday 14 October 2022 20:35 , Kevin Perry

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has said she is “heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane.”

Writing on Twitter, she added: “Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family”

Reverend Richard Coles remembers Robbie Coltrane’s big pants

Friday 14 October 2022 20:17 , Kevin Perry

Reverend Richard Coles, Church of England priest and former member of the Communards, expressed his sadness over the death of Robbie Coltrane.

“We shared a dressing room once and he had the biggest pants I have ever seen, which he wore with tremendous flair,” he added on Twitter. “We were friends from then on.”

Coles later clarified that he was referring to underwear.

‘Brilliant, delightful and ridiculously funny’: Jack Dee on Robbie Coltrane

Friday 14 October 2022 20:11 , Kevin Perry

Stand-up comedian Jack Dee has added his voice to those praising the late Robbie Coltrane, calling him “brilliant, delightful and ridiculously funny.”

“What a fab actor and man he was,” he added. “Love to his family.”

‘I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life’: Hugh Laurie on Robbie Coltrane

Friday 14 October 2022 19:46 , Kevin Perry

Hugh Laurie, who co-starred with Robbie Coltrane and Stephen Fry in 1983 comedy variety show Alfresco , has affectionately reminisced about the time he spent with the late star.

“I used to ride with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his sort-of-restored MGA,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’d roll him cigarettes while he discoursed on the ways of the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life.”

The pair also worked together on Blackadder, as fans recalled on social media:

Robbie Coltrane compared young Harry Potter stars to his own children

Friday 14 October 2022 19:37 , Kevin Perry

Last year, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter franchise, Coltrane gave a touching interview in which he reflected on his relationships with fellow cast members, particularly the film’s youngest stars. Read more here:

Robbie Coltrane compared young Harry Potter stars to his own children

‘Extraordinarily funny’: Eric Idle on ‘Nuns on the Run’ co-star Robbie Coltrane

Friday 14 October 2022 19:30 , Kevin Perry

Monthy Python’s Eric Idle has shared his sadness on Twitter following the death of Robbie Coltrane. They starred together in 1990 comedy crime caper Nuns on the Run.

“Such a bright and brilliant man,” wrote Idle. “A consummate actor, an extraordinarily funny comedian and an amazing actor. He was also a very good friend. I shall miss him very much.”

He also retweeted a photograph of the pair on set together:

Fred Weasley actor James Phelps recalls Robbie Coltrane’s kindness

Friday 14 October 2022 19:17 , Kevin Perry

James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has paid tribute to the late Robbie Coltrane by recalling his support during the early days of filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

“I’ll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said “Enjoy it, you’ll be great”.” he wrote on Twitter. “Thank you for that x”

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe says Robbie Coltrane 'used to keep us laughing constantly’

Friday 14 October 2022 19:06 , Kevin Perry

Daniel Radcliffe has issued a statement on the death of Robbie Coltrane, his co-star in the Harry Potter films.

“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Radcliffe said in a statement to Variety. “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,” Radcliffe added. “He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”

Read more here.

‘Lead acting at it’s finest’: Daniel Mays on Robbie Coltrane in ‘Cracker’

Friday 14 October 2022 18:55 , Kevin Perry

Line of Duty actor Daniel Mays has joined those praising Coltrane’s range and talent.

“Incredibly sad to hear about the great Robbie Coltrane,” he wrote on Twitter. “Knock-out in so many performances, Harry Potter, National Treasure, but it was Fitz in TV classic Cracker that stands out for me.”

“No one else could’ve played that role the way he did,” he added. “Lead acting at it’s finest.”

JK Rowling describes Robbie Coltrane as 'a complete one off’

Friday 14 October 2022 18:42 , Kevin Perry

On Twitter, Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has described her affection for the late Robbie Coltrane, who played the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid in the movie adaptations of her books.

“I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” wrote Rowling. “He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.”

Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to a 'Scottish entertainment legend’

Friday 14 October 2022 18:29 , Kevin Perry

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, has paid tribute to Coltrane for his “range and depth as an actor, from brilliant comedy to hard-edged drama.”

She said her favourite of his roles was as criminal psychologist Fitz in Cracker, adding: “Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend - you will be hugely missed. RIP”

Stephen Fry recalls meeting Robbie Coltrane ‘almost exactly 40 years ago'

Friday 14 October 2022 18:24 , Roisin O'Connor

Stephen Fry is one of the first to pay tribute to Robbie Coltrane, whom he recalls meeting “almost exactly 40 years ago”.

Fry, who starred with Coltrane in the comedy series Alfresco, says he was “awe/terror/love struck all at the same time”.

“Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, Alfresco,” he said.

“Farewell, old fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed.”

Friday 14 October 2022 18:19 , Roisin O'Connor

Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor best known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter film saga has died aged 72, his agent confirmed Friday (14 October).

A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Aside from the towering, wizarding half-giant, Coltrane also starred in two James Bond films as ex-KGB intelligence officer Valentin Zukovsky. The Russian mafia head was a recurring ally of Pierce Brosnan’s 007 in Goldeneye (1995) and The World is Not Enough (1999).

Robbie Coltrane death: Harry Potter and James Bond star dies aged 72