From left: Matthew Lewis, Robbie Coltrane, Bonnie Wright.Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Paul Zimmerman/WireImage; Amanda Edwards/Getty
The cast of theHarry Potterfilms are mourning Robbie Coltrane after thenews of the actor’s death at 72on Friday.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” starDaniel Radcliffesaid in a statement. “I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on (2004’sHarry Potter and the)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,” Radcliffe added. “He wasan incredible actor and a lovely man.”
“Iwill miss the random chatsabout all subjects under the sun,“James Phelps, whoportrayed Fred Weasley in thePotterfilms, wrote on Twitter. “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 x”
James' twinOliver Phelps, who played George Weasley,shared a memory of Coltranefrom the London premiere of the firstHarry Pottermovie on Twitter Friday.
“November 2001 - Leicester Square, London. ‘Soak this in lads, its like a Rolls-Royce for your first car’! Robbie [Coltrane] when he was next to me on the red carpet of the first HP premiere,” tweeted Oliver, 36. “Over the yearswe had some great chatsabout history and travel. Rest in peace Robbie x.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Robbie Coltrane inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001).Warner Bros. Pictures
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, wrote on Twitter that he and Coltrane “shared a love of the final frontier.”
“Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn’t give a f— andit always made you smile,” tweeted Lewis, 33. “A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x.”
“Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly,” Bonnie wrote. “Robbie always treated me and my fellow cast mates when we were wee kids like equal professionals on a film set. A type of attitude that instilled confidence and a sense of togetherness.”
“The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie’s fault,” wroteDavid Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin, alongsidea throwback photo of Coltrane. “You are forever loved, dear man, and will be sorely missed. ❤️”
From left: Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.Stuart Atkins/Shutterstock
J.K. Rowling, author of theHarry Potterbook series, remembered Coltrane, who portrayed Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in all eightHarry Potterfilms, as “an incredible talent” in a Twitter post Friday.
“I’llnever know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” Rowling, 57, wrote on Twitter, alongside a photo of her and Coltrane at a dinner table. “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,” the author added.
The official Wizarding World Twitter account shared a photo ofColtrane in character as Hagridon set along with a statement remembering the “magnificent” actor for his portrayal of the affable half-giant with “such kindness, heart and humor.”
“He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed,” the statement reads.
Harry Pottercast.Kevin Kolczynski /Universal Orlando Resort via Getty
Coltrane’s agent and friend Belinda Wrightconfirmed the news of Coltrane’s death to PEOPLE, sharing that he died Friday and calling the actor “a unique talent.”
“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come asHagrid in theHarry Potterfilms, 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,” Belinda continued in part.
“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,” she added. “And after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.”
While the actor’s cause of death was not immediately apparent,Deadlinereported that he “had been in ill health for the past two years,” and died in Larbert, Scotland, in a hospital close to his home.
“They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy,” Belinda told PEOPLE. “Please respect Robbie' s family’s privacy at this distressing time.”
source: people.com
