Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid in Harry Potter, is dead

Farewell, Robbie Coltrane! The actor, who played the giant Rubeus Hagrid (who was actually only 1.86 meters tall) in the Harry Potter saga, has died. The announcement was made on Friday 14 October by the actor’s agent, Belinda Wright, in a press release released by the British press, including the BBC And The Hollywood reporter.

Robbie Coltrane, 72, was known around the world for his portrayal of the benevolent giant Hagrid, who from the very first play became a traveling companion of Harry Potter and his friends. An important and captivating character, unanimously appreciated by fans of the saga.

But Coltrane was also known for his role in the series “Crackers”, which earned him the award of three Bafta, the British equivalent of the Césars of French cinema.

The actor, who began acting in the theater, had also played a Russian mobster and former KGB agent in two James Bond films, The World Is Not Enough Anymore and Golden Eye.

Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe … The Harry Potter cast pays tribute to him

Since the announcement of his death, the tributes have poured all over the world, and especially on social networks. On Twitter, writer and screenwriter JK Rowling, mother of the Harry Potter saga, hailed an “incredible talent”:

I’ll never know someone like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, unique, and I was so lucky to know him, to work with him and to laugh with him. I send my affection and heartfelt condolences to his family, especially his children.

Emma Watson, interpreter of Hermione Granger in the saga, also paid tribute to Coltrane, posting a story on her Instagram account:

Robbie was like the funniest uncle I’ve ever had, but most of all he was deeply caring and compassionate to me as a child and an adult. His talent was so immense that it made sense for him to play a giant (…) if I ever manage to be as kind as you to me on set, I promise I will do it on your behalf and in your memory. Know how much I adore and admire you. I will really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughter and your hugs. You made us a family. Know that you were for us.

Daniel Radcliffe, who played the main character in the Harry Potter saga, also spoke after the announcement of Coltrane’s death:

Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, making us laugh constantly when we were kids on set. I have particularly fond memories of him trying to cheer us up on the Prisoner of Azkaban set, when we hid for hours from the torrential rain in Hagrid’s hut, and he would tell us stories, make jokes to keep our spirits up. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to meet and work with him, and I am very sad for his death. He was an amazing actor and a lovely man.

Other actors in the saga such as Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) also paid tribute to him on social networks.