Robbie Coltranethe veteran comedian and actor known for his star turns in the British detective series Cracker and the Harry Potter movie franchise, who passed away on Friday, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. He was 72 years old.
Coltrane agent Belinda Wright called him a “unique talent”, who she will remember as “a loyal customer”.
“As well as being a wonderful actor, he was of forensic intelligence and a brilliant mind, and after 40 proud years of being called his agent, I will miss him,” Wright added of Coltrane in a press release.
The loud and decidedly eccentric Scot, who began his career in comedy and theatre, also dominated the screen in two James Bond films during an illustrious career on both sides of the Atlantic.
Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950 in Glasgow, Scotland, as the son of a doctor and a teacher. After graduating from Glasgow Art School, he continued his art studies at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.
But as his attempts to become an entertainer were unsuccessful, Coltrane took up stand-up comedy in Edinburgh clubs. And he changed his surname in honor of jazz legend John Coltrane as he turned to acting in London.
Coltrane’s early TV credits include Flash Gordon, Blackadder and keep it in the family. His other comedy credits included series like A kick in the 80s comic and Outside as he became a mainstay on British television screens.
Coltrane’s breakout role was playing Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, an antisocial criminal psychologist with a gift for solving crimes, in Jimmy McGovern’s Cracker series, which ran for over 25 episodes between 1993 and 2006.
Coltrane won three consecutive BAFTA awards for best television actor for this role, share a recording for most consecutive wins.
This performance led Coltrane to roles in two james bond films, playing Valentin Zukovsky in golden eye and The world is not enough. But most know Coltrane for his other big supporting role: Rubeus Hagrid, the giant gardener at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the Harry Potter movies, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling took to social media remember Coltranewriting: “I will never know someone like Robbie from a distance again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one, and I was more fortunate to know him, to work with him and to laugh with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, especially his children.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter alongside Coltrane’s Hagrid, said in a statement: “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and constantly made us laugh as kids on set. I have especially fond memories of keeping his spirits up. 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 our spirits up. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to meet and work with him and very sad that he passed away. He was an amazing actor and a lovely man.
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the Potter movies, said“I will miss the random discussions on every subject under the sun. And I will never forget that in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane approached a very nervous 14-year-old me on my first day on a movie set and said, ‘Enjoy it, you’ll be awesome. Thanks for that.’
Others sharing their memories include Hugh Laurie, who wrote on Twitter“I used to ride with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his somehow restored MGA. learned so much from my life.
Stephen Fry said“I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago. I was amazed/afraid/in love at the same time. Such depth, power and talent: funny enough to cause helpless gasps and honks when we were doing our first tv show, Outside. Farewell, old man. We will miss you terribly.
Coltrane wrote an autobiography, Coltrane in a Cadillacand also starred in the 1993 television series of the same name, where he drove across America from Los Angeles to New York in a classic 1951 Cadillac.
Coltrane is survived by one sister, Annie Rae, his children, Spencer and Alice, and their mother, Rhona Gemmell.
The family, Wright said, “would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland, for their care and diplomacy.”
11:37 Updated with a statement from Coltrane’s agent.
1:53 p.m. This story has been updated with tributes to Coltrane from JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, James Phelps, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.