In Memoriam: Robbie Coltrane
by Emily Nagle
Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for portraying half-giant groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” film series, has died at the age of 72.
After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Coltrane got his acting career started in his early twenties with theatre and comedy shows. His first film role came in 1980 with “Flash Gordon”, but his breakthrough came when he played criminal psychologist Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the BAFTA-winning British crime drama series “Cracker”.
When Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was giving her choices for cast members for the first film adaptation, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, she was so set on Coltrane portraying Hagrid that when asked her top casting choices, Rowling replied in a single breath, “RobbieColtraneforHagrid”. Coltrane, who was already a fan of the book series, portrayed Hagrid for all eight films, starting in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” all the way through 2011 with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2“.
Coltrane’s role as Hagrid was one that brought joy to children and adults around the world, and he recalled receiving fan mail and having children excitedly run up to him and ask him to autograph their books. “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” Coltrane said in the “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” that was released on HBO earlier this year. “So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes.”
In addition to “Harry Potter”, Coltrane is well-known for his role as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in the James Bond films “GoldenEye” and “The World is Not Enough”. He also appeared in “The Brothers Bloom” and “Ocean’s Twelve”, and had voice roles in “The Tale of Despereaux” and Pixar’s “Brave”.
Coltrane’s death was confirmed by his agency on Friday. He died after being in poor health for the past two years. Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, as well as his children Spencer and Alice.