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RIP Hagrid: Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane dies at 72
Just one day after we found that Cartoon Network is officially over, another symbol of our childhood is now gone. Actor Robbie Coltrane, who plays the beloved Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, was announced dead at 72.
Starring in 6 Harry Potter franchise films from 2001 to 2009, Coltrane truly embodied his character of Hagrid.
He was known as a gentle, caring man on and off the set and was loved by his fans on co-stars alike. In a behind-the-scenes interview, while filming his final Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, he said,
“The legacy of the movies is … that my children’s generation will show them to their children. So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but… Hagrid will, yes”
– Robbie Coltrane, 2009
Who was the man behind Hagrid?
The Scottish-born actor had an incredible 44-year career in TV and film including a role in James Bond Golden Eye (1995).
In 2006 he was named an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth herself, for his contributions to the genre of drama.
Tributes have been pouring in and you can really see the impact he’s had on an entire generation.
Robbie Coltrane will be a part of many childhoods to come
According to NBC News, representatives of Coltrane from William Morris Endeavor said that he had been ill and wasn’t active recently. His agent Belinda Wright said,
“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.”
– Agent Belinda Wright
His larger-than-life character will be missed but appreciated forever. Danielle Radcliffe’s character Harry Potter said it best: “There is no Hogwarts with you, Hagrid!
