As the world learned of the passing ofRobbie ColtraneFriday morning, tributes have begun to pour in from thelegendaryactor’s former co-stars and friends.
Among those sharing sweet sentiments about their time with the late actor is Coltrane’sHarry Potterco-starDaniel Radcliffe. The duo starred as major characters in all eight movies in the magical franchise, Radcliffe as the titular boy wizard and Coltrane as kind Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,“Radcliffe wrote in a statementFriday, sharing a sweet memory from the set of 2004’sHarry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban.
“I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up onPrisoner 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.”
Robbie Coltrane, Harry Potter and James Bond Star, Dies at 72
Harry Potter Author Shares Tribute to Coltrane: “I Was Beyond Fortunate to Know Him”
Coltrane, who also starred in theJames Bondfranchise and recently appeared in the HBO MaxReturn to Hogwarts20th anniversary special, may have been beloved by millions as Hagrid—but to those who knew and worked with the actor, he was something special.
ControversialHarry Potterauthor J.K. Rowlingalso honored Coltrane with a tweet in his honor, sharing a photo of them together and writing,
“I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. 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.”
Coltrane is survived by his two children, but the actor previously said his memory will live on for future generations through his films.
“My children have grown up during [theHarry Potterera],” he said during the HBO Max reunion special. “The legacy of the movie is that my children’s generation will show them to their children.”
“You could be watching it in 50 years' time, easily…I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes.
