Harry Potter's Hagrid dies aged 72

He will best be remembered globally as Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant half-human gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts school in the film franchise of JK Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter books.

By: AFP
Published: 11:01 PM, 14 Oct, 2022
Harry Potter's Hagrid dies aged 72
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Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has died aged 72, his agent said on Friday.

"My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday, October 14," Belinda Wright said in a statement, calling him "a unique talent".

From Fitz to Hagrid: Robbie Coltrane's Most Memorable Roles

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Coltrane, who was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, forged a career as an actor, comedian, and writer.

On television, he starred alongside Emma Thompson in the cult BAFTA-winning BBC mini-series "Tutti Frutti" in 1987.

Rubeus Hagrid Character Explained 

The groundskeeper at Hogwarts, Hagrid was an enormous wizard with thick black hair and a beard. 

He often uses an umbrella to do magic, despite the fact that he is not supposed to because he was expelled from Hogwarts. 

Like Dumbledore, Hagrid serves as a kind of father figure for Harry, particularly in providing him with love, warmth, and kindness early on in the story. 

Hagrid delivers baby Harry to the Dursleys after Lily and James are killed, and he becomes Harry’s conduit back into the wizarding world on Harry’s eleventh birthday. 

 

Hagrid tells Harry about his backstory regarding his parents and Voldemort. 

He also takes Harry on a shopping trip for school supplies at Diagon alley, introducing him to the wizarding world itself and some of the common customs. 

When Harry also grows nervous that he will not fit in or that he will not know anything, Hagrid comforts him and tells him that he’ll learn quickly and have a great time at Hogwarts, which he does. 

Hagrid continues this role when Harry arrives at school, inviting Harry to tea when he needs a pick-me-up and looking out for him when necessary.

Harry Potter - Best of Hagrid

He came to prominence and won more awards for his portrayal of the hard-drinking criminal psychologist Dr Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the ITV series "Cracker" (1993-2006).

He was the English author and lexicographer Samuel Johnson in the TV comedy series "Blackadder the Third" alongside "Mr Bean" star Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie ("House").

On the big screen, he had roles in the 1987 Neil Jordan crime drama "Mona Lisa" and teamed up with former Monty Python star Eric Idle in the 1990 comedy "Nuns on the Run".

He also played a former KGB agent-turned-Russian mafia boss in two James Bond films -- "Goldeneye" (1995) and "The World Is Not Enough" (1999) -- with Pierce Brosnan.

But he will best be remembered globally as Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant half-human gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts school in the film franchise of JK Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter books.

The role "brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years", said Wright.

She added: "For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client.

"As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him."

Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell.

No cause of death was given but Wright thanked medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, central Scotland, "for their care and diplomacy".

Categories : Entertainment

AFP

Agence France-Presse is an international news agency.

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