The Scottish actor was additionally recognized for showing in ‘90s Bond movies “Goldeneye” and “The World is Not Sufficient.”
Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor greatest recognized for portraying the lovable half-giant Hagrid within the “Harry Potter” movie collection, died October 14 in Lambert, Scotland, IndieWire has confirmed. He was 72.
Starting his profession as a theater and comedian performer, Coltrane was a three-time BAFTA winner for his ’90s ITV drama collection “Cracker.” After taking part in a memorable supporting function within the Pierce Brosnan Bond movies “Goldeneye” and “The World is Not Sufficient,” he started his most well-remembered function in 2001, when he portrayed Hagrid within the first “Harry Potter” movie. Coltrane appeared in all eight movies within the collection, and his portrayal of Hagrid received acclaim from followers. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II honored him with an Order of the British Empire for his service to the humanities.
As portrayed in J.Okay. Rowling’s unique e-book, Hagrid is the half-giant groundskeeper of the magic faculty Hogwarts and a frequent and fixed ally of Harry (performed within the movies by Daniel Radcliffe). Coltrane embodied the character’s imposing physique and type nature, and his first look within the unique movie — the place he reveals Harry’s magical lineage to him — is likely one of the most well-remembered and sometimes quoted moments in your complete movie collection.
In a press release to Selection following Coltrane’s passing, Radcliffe referred to as the actor “one of many funniest individuals” he’s met and shared fond reminiscences of working with him as a baby actor on the set of “Harry Potter.”
“Robbie was one of many funniest individuals I’ve met and used to maintain us laughing continuously as youngsters on the set,” Radcliffe’s assertion reads. “I’ve particularly fond reminiscences of him maintaining our spirits up on ‘Prisoner of Azkaban,’ after we have 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 fulfill and work with him and really unhappy that he’s handed. He was an unbelievable actor and a stunning man.”
Born Anthony Robert McMillan in 1950, Coltrane grew up in Rutherglen, Scotland, and attended Glasgow College of the Arts and the Moray Home Faculty of Schooling. In 1978 he took the stage title Coltrane as tribute to jazz musician John Coltrane and commenced his appearing profession on the stage with the play “The Slab Boys” on the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.
He served as a author and performer in numerous British sketch comedy exhibits through the ‘80s, together with “The Comedian Strips Presents,” “Alfresco,” “A Kick Up the Eighties,” and “Chortle??? I Almost Paid My License Price.” He additionally had memorable supporting roles in comedy exhibits similar to “The Younger Ones” and “Blackadder the Third.” In 1987 he starred as a lead singer of a rock band within the BBC Scotland collection “Tutti Frutti.” The collection, which co-starred Emma Thompson, nabbed Coltrane his first BAFTA nomination. In 1993 and 1997, he hosted two tv journey specials — “Coltrane in a Cadillac” and “Coltrane’s Planes and Vehicles” — which noticed him journey throughout the US in a Cadillac and clarify the inside workings of assorted automobiles.
On movie, Coltrane performed supporting roles in movies similar to “Flash Gordon,” “Loss of life Watch,” “Absolute Freshmen,” and “Mona Lisa.” In 1989, he performed the function of Falstaff in Kenneth Branagh’s movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V.” He additionally starred within the 1990 comedy “Nuns on the Run” and in 1991’s “The Pope Should Die,” through which he performed the Pope.
From 1993 to 1996, Coltrane starred in “Cracker” as Dr. Edward Fitzgerald, an alcoholic and foul-mouthed however good legal psychologist. The present, which was comparable in construction to “Colombo” and in addition featured Christopher Eccleston, ran for 3 collection, with Coltrane successful greatest actor on the tv BAFTAs for every. Coltrane would reprise the function in 2006 for a two-hour particular.
In “Goldeneye” and “The World is Not Sufficient,” Coltrane appeared as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky, a Russian gangster who serves as an data supply and eventual ally for the key agent.
Within the 2000s, whereas making most of his appearances within the “Harry Potter” franchise, Coltrane additionally had supporting roles in movies similar to “Ocean’s Twelve,” “Stormbreaker,” and “The Brothers Bloom.” In 2012, he voiced a personality within the Pixar animated film “Courageous” and appeared in an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Nice Expectations.” He obtained one other BAFTA nomination in 2016 for his main function within the British drama “Nationwide Treasure,” portraying a profitable comic internet hosting a quiz present who’s accused of sexual assault throughout his early profession. His last onscreen look was in HBO Max’s twentieth anniversary “Harry Potter” celebration “Return to Hogwarts,” which premiered on the streamer in January 2022.
Coltrane is survived by his two kids.