Robbie Coltrane, actor who starred in ‘Harry Potter’ series as Hagrid, dies at 72
Robbie Coltrane, the actor, who portrayed a young wizard in the Harry Potter film series and the beloved character Hagrid in the popular children’s show “The Tale of the Weasels”, has died at the age of 72.
Coltrane died on February 10. There was a light drizzling rain outside his home in London, where he lived with his wife, actress Emma-Jane Scott.
The British actor, who starred in “The Devil’s Advocate,” “Riding a Tiger” and “The Long Good Friday,” died in an apparent heart attack, according to the British medical examiner, who is investigating the death.
Known to millions of fans for his role as the young wizard Hagrid, Coltrane died after a long battle with cancer.
A statement from the British actor’s family confirmed his death.
“The Coltranes have lost our beloved Robbie who was taken suddenly and peacefully from this earth just three months short of his 70th birthday,” the statement reads in part. “We would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive in his last year and a half on this earth.”
Born and raised in England, Coltrane rose to fame as a young child actor in Britain’s film industry. He was cast in the part of the “Frog Prince,” a role he performed in movies such as “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” “The Witches’ Flower,” “The Three Musketeers,” and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” He also starred in the children’s series “The Tale of the Weasels,” the long-running “Noddy, the Little Traveler,” and appeared in the television shows “Loving,” “Mr. Men,” “M*A*S*H,” “Dixon of Dock Green,” “Brigadoon” and “Minder.”