Robbie Coltrane, Who Played Hagrid In The Harry Potter Movie Series, Has Passed Away At 72

Daily Mail- Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72, his agent has said. 

Mr Coltrane played Hagrid in the eight-movie series. The actor, previously known as Athony Robert McMillan, was awarded an OBE and has appeared in many films and TV shows besides the Harry Potter franchise. Robbie Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said the 72-year-old Harry Potter star died on Friday.

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.

'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.

Fuck. Rest in peace Robbie Coltrane who was a fantastic actor across the board, but who also happens to have played Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie series. When I read that he was only 72, I was honestly shocked. There aren't many details available yet on what happened, but at 72 it has to be something health related I'd think. Man.

For those of us who live and breathe Harry Potter, Hagrid is such an important and loving character throughout the series. I've said this before, but casting Harry Potter must've been nearly impossible. There are so many fanatics who need the characters to be JUST RIGHT, or it won't translate to them in movies. Robbie Coltrane was the ABSOLUTE perfect man for the job when the books were brought to the big screen, so much so that it feels like we've lost someone close to us personally. 

It's weird to think about death when it comes to celebrities who play your favorite characters, and a little difficult to understand where the attachment comes from when you try to think logically. I think it makes complete sense to be upset. This person impacted your life, it doesn't matter how, and now you feel grief for whatever version of them they were to you. It doesn't matter that we didn't know Robbie personally, we felt his love and protection through Hagrid. 

Here are a few clips from the HBO reunion special, and some beautiful words from Robbie about how he won't always be here, but Hagrid will.