JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe, the lead actor in the Harry Potter film series, have paid tribute to the late Robbie Coltrane, who died today at the age of 72.
Rowling hailed the late Scottish actor, who played gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, as “a complete one off” in an emotional statement accompanied by a beautiful image of the duo together.
‘I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,’ she said in a tribute on Twitter.
‘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.’
Radcliffe, Coltrane’s co-star and principal actor in the film series, also paid tribute, praising him for his ability to keep the young actors laughing on site.
‘Robbie was one of the funniest individuals I’ve encountered and used to keep us laughing continuously as kids on the set,’ Radcliffe said in a statement.
‘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.
‘I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.’
This was followed by fellow star Emma Watson, who played Hermione Grainger in the adored films.
In a moving Instagram post, she recalled his ‘warmth’, his ‘laughs’ and his ‘hugs’.
‘Rest In Peace, Robbie Coltrane,’ she said. ‘Robbie was like the most fun uncle I’ve ever had but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult.
‘His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant – he could fill ANY space with his brilliance.
‘Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory.
‘Know how much I adore and admire you. I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs.
You made us a family. Know you were that to us.
‘There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.’
Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright had announced his death this evening, describing the late actor as a ‘unique talent’ and said the 72-year-old Harry Potter star died on Friday.
She added: ‘Please respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.’
Coltrane was rumoured to have had serious health issues earlier this year after he was forced to pull out of London’s Comic Con in June due to medical reasons.
In a statement, she said: ‘My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday October 14. Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
‘He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.
‘James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
‘For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.
‘He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.’