Daniel Radcliffe & More ‘Harry Potter’ Stars Mourn Robbie Coltrane’s Passing: ‘You Are Forever Loved’
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The story goes that for Harry Potter creator J.K Rowling, there was no one better suited to portray gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts than Robbie Coltrane and that he was her top choice to play Hagrid from the start. The rest, they say, is history, as the veteran Scottish-born actor on to play Harry Potter’s pal in all 8 movies in the iconic franchise. Sadly, Robbie passed away on October 14, 2022, as confirmed by Hollywood Reporter, after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.
Fans around the world will remember him best in the iconic role, and that was something Robbie admitted he was most proud of in the Harry Potter 20th anniversary special. “The legacy of these movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” he said with tears in his eyes. “So, you could be watching them in 50 years time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly… But Hagrid will.” In the special, it was clear just how close he had gotten to the cast of the films. He shared a special moment particularly with Emma Watson, who played Hermione, as they reflected on her growing up on-screen. She also lamented that the beloved actor was poised to cause more ‘”mischief” than any of the child actors, with Rupert Grint chiming in that he was “such a kid.”
After the news of his passing, many of Robbie’s Potter co-stars were quick to pay tribute to their friend who they loved so dearly, just as many had done when other Potter icons have passed away recently.
Daniel Radcliffe
In the Harry Potter story, Hagrid is the first person to tell the young boy from Privet Drive that he’s a wizard. Perhaps then is makes sense that one of the first stars to honor Robbie was the man behind the Boy Who Lived, Daniel Radcliffe. “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” his statement reads, via Variety. “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.”
J.K Rowling
The author of the Harry Potter books took to her Twitter shortly after hearing the news to pay tribute to the man who brought one of her most beloved characters to life on the big screen. Share shared an intimate, never-before-seen photo of them together at an elegant affair, dressed in there best. “I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” she wrote in the caption. “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.”
Oliver & James Phelps
From day 1 on movie 1, James Phelps played one half the prankster Weasley twins. As Fred, James was able to spent a lot of time with Robbie, especially in the first two movies. In his tribute on his Twitter page, to not only share his love for the actor, but to remember the sage advice he gave him on the day they started filming the first Harry Potter movie. “I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun,” James wrote. “And I’ll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said “Enjoy it, you’ll be great”. Thank you for that.”
Soon after James’ brother Oliver, who played George Weasley posted his own tribute to Robbie, hoping that his friend and mentor would rest in peace.
David Thewlis
David Thewlis who portrayed Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films, was quick to remember his friend for all the joy he brought to the set of the films. On his Instagram, he posted a loving tribute to his fellow Order of the Phoenix member. “The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie’s fault. You are forever loved, dear man, and will be sorely missed.”
Stephen Fry
Though the English actor was never in the Harry Potter films, Stephen Fry is one of the few who can say they’ve “played” Hagrid alongside Robbie. Stephen narrated the UK editions of the Harry Potter audiobooks and also narrated three installments of the Harry Potter video games. Shortly after the announcement of Robbie’s death, Stephen took to his Twitter to celebrate his friend who co-starred in the show Alfesco.