Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to Robbie Coltrane following the actor’s death aged 72.
Coltrane played Hagrid alongside Radcliffe’s Harry Potter throughout the long running franchise, with the pair having filmed dozens of scenes together over the years.
In a statement following his sad passing, Radcliffe said: “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set.
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“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.”
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has also paid tribute to Coltrane, writing on Twitter to say he was a ‘complete one off’.
She wrote: “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.
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"I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.”
His friend and former co-star Stephen Fry also shared a heart-felt message, saying: “I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago. I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time.
“Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, ‘Alfresco’.
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“Farewell, old fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed.”
The sad news of his death was shared by agent Belinda Wright earlier this evening.
In a statement, she said: “My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday October 14.
"Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
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“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, 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.
“James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
“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 and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.
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“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.”
Topics: Harry Potter, Film and TV, Daniel Radcliffe