“There’s no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid.” 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.”
Emma Watson
“Robbie was like the most fun uncle I’ve ever had,” Emma wrote in her tribute on her Instagram Stories, “but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult. His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant he could fill any space with his brilliance. Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I adore and admire you. I’ll really miss your sweetness your nicknames your warmth your laughs and your hugs. You made us a family. No you were that to us. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.”
Rupert Grint
“Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue- a wonderful combination,” Rupert, 34, penned on Oct. 15 via Instagram. “No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie. Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life- warm, compassionate and hilarious. A giant hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser,” he signed off.”
Tom Felton
He may have played the Dark Arts loving enemy of Harry Potter Draco Malfoy, but Tom Felton had nothing but love and light to send to Robbie in his Instagram tribute. “One of my fondest memories of filming Harry Potter was a night shoot on the first film in the forbidden forest,” Tom wrote. “I was 12. Robbie cared & looked after everyone around of him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly. He was a big friendly giant on screen but even more so In real life. Love you mate – thank you for everything”
J.K Rowling
https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1580974122888089601
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.”
Matthew Lewis
https://twitter.com/Mattdavelewis/status/1580979884653887489
Playing fellow Gryffindor Neville Longbottom, Matthew Lewis spent a lot of time alongside Robbie, especially in the first two films. The actor looked back the moments he spent with his ‘giant’ friend on Twitter, saying, “He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn’t give a fuck and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times.”
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Wright was only 9-years-old when she first stepped into the role as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies. It would take until her character enrolled in Hogwarts in The Chamber Of Secrets for Bonnie to get the chance to work with Robbie, but the experience left an unmistakeable mark on her life. In her tribute to him on Instagram, the star shared her grief but also her thanks to the kind man who would look after the young stars in the movies. “Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane,” she wrote. “Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. 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. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family. Rest In Peace”
Oliver & James Phelps
https://twitter.com/James_Phelps/status/1580974964051947520
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.”
https://twitter.com/OliverPhelps/status/1580984187259342848
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.”
Warwick Davis
They played very different sides of the wizarding world: Robbie’s Hagrid was a half-giant and larger than life, while Warwick Davis Ravenclaw leader Professor Flitwick was part-goblin. But like everyone else, Warwick was devestated to hear the news of Robbie’s passing and paid homage on his Twitter page. “I was saddened to learn that fellow Harry Potter cast member, Robbie Coltrane died today. Always jovial, he brought warmth, light and laughter to any set he walked on to. RIP Robbie, Beloved Giant of comedy.”
Stephen Fry
https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1580965904854134788
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.