
He also played Falstaff in the 1989 Shakespearean film adaptation of Henry V, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh (Professor Gilderoy Lockhart) as well as Thompson.
Rubeus hagrid actor death series#
He appeared in The Comic Strip Presents comedy TV series from 1982 to 1993 (as well as special episodes in 20) with Dawn French (who played the Fat Lady), A Kick Up the Eighties (1981–1984) with Miriam Margolyes (Professor Pomona Sprout), sketch comedy show Alfresco (1983–1984) and ’80s rock drama series Tutti Frutti (1987) with Emma Thompson (Professor Sybill Trelawney), and Blackadder the Third (1987) with Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter). "You made it a joy to be Hermione."Īfter trying his hand at art school (and purposefully dumping what was left of his posh accent), Coltrane drifted instead toward performing, first in theater and then on film and television, where was especially prolific in the alternative British comedy scene.Ĭoltrane performed with a slew of actors with whom he would later costar in the Potter films.

"I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs," Watson wrote in an Instagram story. "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."Įmma Watson described Coltrane as "the most fun uncle" she's ever had as she remembered his compassion, "warmth," and "brilliance" as an actor. "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 his statement after Coltrane's death. “He loved making us laugh, and he was incredibly good at it.” so much fun,” recalled Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) in a 2022 reunion special. This warmth extended to the Harry Potter set, where the young actors recalled Coltrane’s cheeky demeanor, instantly putting them at ease. Coltrane really is a fairy-tale figure that kids dream about,” the New York Times declared in its review of the first movie. As he taught lessons about magical creatures, it was clear he was capable of seeing the good even in a fire-breathing dragon or giant spider. Sporting a bushy beard and mane of curls and speaking in a thick West Country accent, Hagrid towered over the child characters, but had a childlike innocence of his own.

In a fantasy series scattered with increasingly menacing villains, Coltrane’s Hagrid was a reliably bright presence. “Kids come up to you and they go: ‘Would you like to sign my book?’ with those big doe eyes,” he said. Previously best known for playing gangsters and thugs, Coltrane suddenly had a legion of young fans around the world. But his appearance in that first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), catapulted him to a new level of international celebrity. Rowling personally suggested him to director Chris Columbus for the part of Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, who was born to a giant and a wizard and acts as a friend and protector to the titular protagonist (played by Radcliffe) and his friends. "He was an incredible actor and a lovely man."Ĭoltrane was already a well-known actor and comedian in the UK when J.K. "I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed," Radcliffe said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also paid tribute to his late costar and friend. "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." "For me personally, I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client," Wright added. His agent Belinda Wright confirmed his death to BuzzFeed News, describing the role of Hagrid as one "which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years."

Robbie Coltrane, the hulking Scottish actor beloved by generations of children for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died on Friday.
