The Harry Potter, James Bond, and Cracker actor passed away in a hospital near his Larbert, Scotland home. The award-winning actor had been suffering from poor health for the last two years.
In the Harry Potter series, Coltrane’s memorable performance as Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid stands out.
As Potter’s half-giant/half-wizard, he gained international fame and acclaim for his endearing performances and on-screen friendship with Daniel Radcliffe‘s Harry Potter.
In the United Kingdom, Coltrane dominated television as forensic psychologist Dr. Edward “Fitz” Coltrane in the murder drama series Cracker, for which he won three consecutive BAFTA awards for best actor, a feat only matched by Michael Gambon. He was also nominated for a BAFTA for the dramas National Treasure on Channel 4 and Tutti Frutti on BBC Scotland.
In addition, the actor provided outstanding performances in films such as Nuns on the Run, Mona Lisa, and Ocean’s 12. In the James Bond flicks GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough, he portrayed the former KGB agent-turned-ally of Agent 007, Valentin Dmitriyevich Zukovsky.
Anthony Robert McMillan was born on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, Scotland. In his early 20s, as a tribute to jazz musician John Coltrane, he adopted the stage name Coltrane and made his debut in Byrne’s theatre production of The Slab Boys. His early film performances were Flash Gordon and Mona Lisa before he made his television debut in Tutti Frutti and subsequently Blackadder III. He also played the Pope in The Pope Must Die, a 1991 comedy.
Coltrane made his Harry Potter debut in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone outside the United States). According to accounts, J.K. Rowling had Coltrane at the top of her list for the role of Hagrid, and when asked who she would want to see in the role, she responded in one word, “Robbie Coltrane for Hagrid.”
J.K. Rowling offered a homage to Coltrane on Twitter on Friday, along with a photo of the two, stating, “I’ll never know someone remotely similar to Robbie again.” Rowling, 57, added, “He was a great talent, a one-of-a-kind, and I was beyond privileged to know him, work with him, and laugh my head off with him.” I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family, especially to his children.
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. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 14, 2022
Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his daughters Alice and Spencer, and Rhona Gemmell, the mother of Alice and Spencer. Wright tells PEOPLE, “They would want to thank the medical personnel at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and professionalism.” Please respect the privacy of Robbie’s family during this difficult time.