Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the eight-film saga, has died at age 72.
Through a press release, his agent Belinda Wright confirmed that the actor, whose real name was Anthony Robert McMillan, had died in a hospital near Falkirk, in his native Scotland.
While no details about the cause of death were revealed, it is known that the actor had struggled with an illness for many years.
After announcing his death, Wright described Coltrane as a “unique talent,” saying his role as Hagrid had brought much joy to children and adults around the world.
“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.”
Coltrane is survived by his two children, Spencer and Alice, his sister Annie Rae, and his mother, Rhona Gemmell.
Wright thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital for caring for the actor and asked fans to “respect the privacy of Robbie’s family at this distressing time.”
Coltrane, who also appeared in the detective drama Cracker and the films The World Is Not Enough and James Bond Goldeneye, was named an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honors List for his contributions to the theatre. The actor also received the Bafta Scotland Award for his services to film.
Harry Potter stars shared messages honoring Coltrane on social media. Daniel Radcliffe, who played the main character, described the actor as “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met” and said he felt lucky to have worked with him.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the movies, paid tribute to Coltrane on Instagram.
“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,” she said, adding that “there was no better Hagrid.”
The author of the Harry Potter books, JK Rowling, shared a photo of herself with the actor, whom she described as an “incredible talent.”
“I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. 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,” she wrote.
Actors Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, who shared the screen with Coltrane in Alfresco, also paid tribute to him on social media.
