‘Harry Potter’ Stars Pay Tribute to Robbie Coltrane After His Death: ‘Incredibly Lucky’ to Have Known Him

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'Harry Potter' Stars Pay Tribute to Robbie Coltrane After His Death: 'Incredibly Lucky' to Have Known Him

His Hagrid. Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to Robbie Coltrane, his late Harry Potter costar who died on Friday, October 14, at age 72. “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” the Weird: The Al Yankovic Story actor, 33, shared in a statement that same day. “I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban, when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.” J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, also honored the Scottish actor via social media on Friday. “I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” she shared via Twitter, alongside a photo of her holding the late star’s hand. “He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.” Coltrane’s rep confirmed his passing in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday. “We can confirm that Robbie Coltrane has died,” the rep said. “He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell.” The Cracker star, who portrayed the beloved Hagrid in all eight Harry Potter films, recently remarked on the character’s legacy — and how it will live on even after his passing. “I just think it’s the end of an era,” he said in the January Return to Hogwarts special about the films, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first movie. “My children had grown up during it, of course. The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children, so you could be watching them in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will.” Radcliffe, for his part, got emotional during the reunion special. “The crew on these films were unbelievable. There are people on these films that are foundational to who I am,” the Woman in Black star shared at the time, getting misty-eyed. “As a person and an actor, I feel so lucky to be where I am and to have the life that I have and to be able to work with the people I work with now, but none of it is possible without this.” Keep scrolling to read Harry Potter stars' tributes to Coltrane:

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Daniel Radcliffe

“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set," the Miracle Worker star said in a statement on Friday, recalling some of his favorite moments with the larger-than-life actor. “I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban, when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”

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Bonnie Wright

"Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid was my favourite character!" the actress, who portrayed Ginny Weasley in the franchise, tweeted on Friday. "Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family."

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Matthew Lewis

"Robbie. Bobser," the actor, who played Neville Longbottom in all eight films, shared via Twitter. "He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn’t give a fuck and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x."

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J.K. Rowling

“I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” the Harry Potter creator wrote via Twitter. “He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.”

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Emma Watson

The Little Women star released a statement via her Instagram Story on Friday alongside a photo of her and Coltrane at HBO Max's Harry Potter reunion, which was filmed in late 2021.

"Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult," she wrote. "His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant — he could fill ANY space with his brilliance."

She addressed him directly, adding: "Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I'll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I adore and admire you. I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us."

Watson concluded, "There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione."

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Tom Felton

The Beyond the Wand author shared a memory from filming 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. "One of my fondest memories of filming Harry Potter was a night shoot on the first film in the forbidden forest. I was 12," the Draco Malfoy actor recalled via Instagram on Friday. "Robbie cared & looked after everyone around of him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly. He was a big friendly giant on screen but even more so In real life. Love you mate - thank you for everything xx."

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James Phelps

"Will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun," the actor, who played Fred Weasley, wrote via Instagram Story on Friday. "And I'll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said 'Enjoy it, you'll be great.' Thank you for that."

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David Thewlis

"The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie’s fault. You are forever loved, dear man, and will be sorely missed. ❤️," the Remus Lupin actor captioned a photo of Coltrane via Instagram on Friday.

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Afshan Azad 

The actress, who portrayed Padma Patil, wrote that she was "absolutely gutted" via her Instagram Story on Friday. "Forever our Hagrid. What an honour to have met and been in the same room as this legend. Rest in peace."

She added, "I'm really really sad. Hugs to all the Potter family tonight."