Robbie Coltrane, Harry Potter's Hagrid, dies at 72


Robbie Coltrane, the actor best known for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died. He was 72.
Coltrane's death was confirmed Friday by his agent to multiple outlets, including BBC News. The agent said he died in a hospital near Falkirk in Scotland, but a cause of death was not provided. According to Deadline, he had "been in ill health for the past two years."
Coltrane played the lovable half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 through 2011. He also starred in two James Bond movies, GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough, as well as the British crime drama Cracker, which earned him multiple British Academy Television awards. Outside of film and TV, he performed stand-up comedy and theater.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The actor's agent in a statement to BBC described him as a "unique talent," who was not only a "wonderful actor" but was also "forensically intelligent" and "brilliantly witty."
Coltrane participated in the Harry Potter reunion that aired on HBO Max earlier this year, during which he choked up while reflecting on the legacy of the films.
"My children's generation will show them to their children, so you can be watching in 50 years' time, easy," he said. "I'll not be here, sadly. But Hagrid will."
Stephen Fry, who worked with Coltrane on the British comedy Alfresco, paid tribute to his former co-star, noting he met him 40 years ago and was "awe/terror/love struck all at the same time."
"Such depth, power, and talent," Fry tweeted, adding, "Farewell, old fellow. You'll be so dreadfully missed."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Book reviews: ‘Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America’ and ‘How to End a Story: Collected Diaries, 1978–1998’
Feature A political ‘witch hunt’ and Helen Garner’s journal entries
By The Week US Published
-
The backlash against ChatGPT's Studio Ghibli filter
The Explainer The studio's charming style has become part of a nebulous social media trend
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why are student loan borrowers falling behind on payments?
Today's Big Question Delinquencies surge as the Trump administration upends the program
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published