Robbie Coltrane, the veteran comedian and actor identified for his star turns within the British crime collection Cracker and the Harry Potter film franchise, died Friday (Oct. 14), The Hollywood Reporter has realized. He was 72.
Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright referred to as him a “distinctive expertise,” whom she’ll keep in mind as “an abidingly loyal consumer.”
“In addition to being a beautiful actor, he was forensically clever and brilliantly witty, and after 40 years of being proud to be to referred to as his agent, I shall miss him,” Wright added of Coltrane in a press release.
The boisterous and decidedly eccentric Scotsman, who started his profession in comedy and theater, additionally commanded the display screen in two James Bond movies throughout an illustrious profession on each side of the Atlantic.
Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland, because the son of a physician and a instructor. After graduating from Glasgow Artwork College, he continued his research in artwork at Moray Home School of Training in Edinburgh.
However as his makes an attempt to change into an artist didn’t pan out, Coltrane took up stand-up comedy in Edinburgh golf equipment. And he modified his final title in honor of the jazz legend John Coltrane as he turned to performing in London.
Coltrane’s early TV credit embody Flash Gordon, Blackadder and Preserve It within the Household. His different comedy credit included collection like A Kick Up the Eighties, The Comedian Strip and Alfresco as he grew to become a mainstay on British TV screens.
Coltrane’s breakout position was taking part in Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, an anti-social felony psychologist with a present for fixing crimes, in Jimmy McGovern’s Cracker collection, which ran over 25 episodes between 1993 and 2006.
Coltrane gained three consecutive BAFTA greatest tv actor awards for that position, sharing a report for many wins in a row.
That efficiency led Coltrane to roles in two James Bond movies, taking part in Valentin Zukovsky in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Sufficient. However most know Coltrane from his different huge supporting position: Rubeus Hagrid, the large groundskeeper at Hogwarts College of Witchcraft and Wizardry, within the Harry Potter movies, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001.
Harry Potter writer J.Okay. Rowling took to social media to recollect Coltrane, writing, “I’ll by no means know anybody remotely like Robbie once more. He was an unbelievable expertise, an entire one off, and I used to be past lucky to know him, work with him and snicker my head off with him. I ship my love and deepest condolences to his household, above all his kids.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who performed Harry Potter alongside Coltrane’s Hagrid, stated in a press release, “Robbie was one of many funniest individuals I’ve met and used to maintain us laughing consistently as youngsters on the set. I’ve particularly fond reminiscences of him preserving our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban, after we had been all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling tales and cracking jokes to maintain morale up. I really feel extremely fortunate that I acquired to satisfy and work with him and really unhappy that he’s handed. He was an unbelievable actor and a stunning man.”
Emma Watson, who performed Hermoine Granger in Potter stated in a press release shared on her Instagram story, “Robbie was like essentially the most enjoyable uncle I’ve ever had, however most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate in the direction of me as a toddler and an grownup. His expertise was so immense that it made sense he performed a large — he may fill ANY area together with his brilliance. Robbie, if I ever get to be so form as you had been to me on a movie set I promise I’ll do it in your title and reminiscence. Understand how a lot I am keen on and admire you. I’ll actually miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your heat, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a household. Know you had been that to us.”
Different Potter stars together with Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Matthew Lewis and extra additionally paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
Others sharing their reminiscences included Hugh Laurie, who wrote on Twitter, “I used to experience with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his sort-of-restored MGA. I’d roll him cigarettes whereas he discoursed on the methods of the world, and I don’t suppose I’ve ever laughed or realized a lot in my life.”
Stephen Fry said, “I first met Robbie Coltrane virtually precisely 40 years in the past. I used to be awe/terror/love struck all on the identical time. Such depth, energy & expertise: humorous sufficient to trigger helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV present, Alfresco. Farewell, outdated fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed.”
Coltrane penned an autobiography, Coltrane in a Cadillac, and likewise starred within the TV collection of the identical title in 1993, the place he drove throughout America from Los Angeles to New York Metropolis in a traditional 1951 Cadillac.
Coltrane is survived by a sister, Annie Rae, his kids, Spencer and Alice, and their mom, Rhona Gemmell.
The household, Wright stated, “want to thank the medical employees at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland for his or her care and diplomacy.”
This text was initially revealed by The Hollywood Reporter.
