Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has died aged 72. Coltrane whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950. Aside from the Harry Potter series, the huge actor has also appeared in ITV detective drama Cracker and the James Bond films Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.
The news of his demise was confirmed by his Belinda Wright agent who in a statement noted that the actor died in a hospital near Falkirk in Scotland. She went on to describe Coltrane as a "unique talent", adding that his role as Hagrid "brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world".
"For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent and 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.
"Please respect Robbie's family's privacy at this distressing time."
Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year's honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.
The actor's career began in 1979 in the TV series Play for Today, but he came to prominence in A Kick Up the Eighties, a BBC TV comedy series which also starred Tracey Ullman, Miriam Margolyes and Rik Mayall. He gained further fame and won more awards for his portrayal of the hard-drinking criminal psychologist Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the ITV series “Cracker” (1993-2006).
However, his best-known role came in the Harry Potter film series as he starred in all eight movies as Rubeus Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
