Veteran Scottish actor and comedian Robbie Coltrane, best known for introducing Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and audiences everywhere to the wizarding world as the kindhearted, gentle giant Hagrid, has died at the age of 72. He was a mainstay throughout the Harry Potter franchise while also earning plaudits for his roles in the series Cracker and in James Bond films The World is Not Enough and GoldenEye.
Coltrane passed away after a years-long battle with health issues, ultimately dying in a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. Born as Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, the comic originally went to school for art before switching over the field of comedy, adopting the last name Coltrane in honor of the jazz musician John Coltrane. He'd originally take up smaller roles in Play for Today, Death Watch, and Flash Gordon before becoming a British television mainstay with shows like A Kick Up the Eighties and The Comic Strip. He'd truly reach stardom, however, playing Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the hit film and later series Cracker which garnered him three consecutive BAFTA wins for Best Actor.
Where Coltrane ascended beyond stardom and into cultural touchstone territory was in Harry Potter, however. Appearing in the first film as gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, he captured everyone's hearts with his kindhearted, comedic, and generally brilliant acting as he ushered Harry and audiences into Hogwarts. He'd remain a steadfast ally to Harry and his friends throughout the franchise, ascending to the role of professor. More importantly, Coltrane's performance captured the whimsy of the wizarding world itself, making him part of the heart and soul of the franchise for any who watched the films. He'd continue to play Hagrid even past the films, last appearing as the half-giant in the short film Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Aside from being one of the more memorable parts of the Harry Potter franchise, Coltrane got to be a part of plenty of high profile projects up to his very last performances. Before the wizarding world, he was helping James Bond as the enemy turned ally Valentin Dmitryovich Zukovsky. He'd also go on to star in the National Treasure miniseries, earning him yet another BAFTA nomination before closing out his career on-screen as Orson Welles in the television series Urban Myths. Other roles from his career include Oceans 12, Frasier, and even a music video for Kate Bush's "Deeper Understanding."
Coltrane was a varied actor capable of generating laughs, warming hearts, and stunning audiences throughout a variety of different roles, even if most will remember him as friendly half-giant. Collider sends its condolences to his friends and family.